The FIFA 2026 World Cup group stage has concluded, narrowing the field to 32 teams as the tournament prepares for its knockout phase. Sunday marks the beginning of these high-stakes matches, with cohosts Canada facing South Africa in Los Angeles, followed by a Monday fixture between Brazil and Japan. The path to the final is now clearer, though fraught with potential upsets and formidable matchups for the remaining contenders.
France, for instance, has demonstrated an impressive scoring prowess, netting 10 goals across victories against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. Head coach Didier Deschamps’ squad, featuring talents like Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé and 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, both of whom have already scored four goals, appears determined to rebound from their 2022 defeat to Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Their journey through the round of 32 will see them challenge Graham Potter’s Sweden, but more demanding tests loom with possible encounters against Germany in the round of 16 and Spain in the semifinals.
Argentina, the reigning champions, also navigated the group stage with considerable success. Lionel Messi currently leads the tournament’s scoring charts with six goals from three matches. After topping Group J with wins over Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, Argentina’s route to the semifinals appears relatively favorable. They are set to play Cape Verde, with the winner advancing to face either Australia or Egypt. A potential quarterfinal clash against Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia, or Ghana could then determine their semifinal fate.
Meanwhile, Spain, initially favored by bookmakers to lift the trophy, experienced a somewhat shaky start. A goalless draw against World Cup newcomers Cape Verde, who surprisingly also qualified for the knockouts, raised questions about their form. However, they quickly regrouped, securing a dominant 4-0 win against Saudi Arabia and subsequently eliminating Uruguay with a 1-0 victory. A win against Austria in the round of 32 could set the stage for a critical encounter with Portugal.
Portugal, another team widely tipped for a deep run, displayed inconsistent form in the group stage. A 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a failure to score against Colombia initially dampened expectations. Yet, a commanding 5-0 win over debutants Uzbekistan showcased their attacking potential. Doubts persist regarding their overall chances, despite Roberto Martínez’s side boasting a strong midfield featuring players like Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha and João Neves, alongside Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. The presence of 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice against Uzbekistan but has otherwise struggled for goals, continues to be a point of discussion around the squad.
Beyond these prominent teams, other strong contenders remain in the hunt. Thomas Tuchel’s England topped Group L, while five-time champions Brazil and four-time champions Germany are also looking to advance. The side of the draw featuring England and Brazil appears more open, potentially leading to a quarterfinal showdown between the two. England must first overcome the DR Congo, followed by either Mexico or Ecuador, while Brazil faces Japan before a possible match against Norway or the Ivory Coast. Individual performances have also been a highlight, with Germany’s Deniz Undav currently leading FIFA’s Power Rankings as the top performer, contributing three goals and two assists in just 106 minutes of play. He is closely followed by Messi, Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior, all of whom have been instrumental for their respective nations.
