World Cup final day of group play will set the field for the round of 32

The 2026 World Cup reaches its final day of group play on June 27, with six matches set to decide the last four knockout berths and lock in more of the round-of-32 bracket.

AP reported that eight teams are still fighting for the remaining places in the first knockout round. Several other spots are already secured, and a number of round-of-32 matchups are now confirmed ahead of the final whistles.

Final-day fixtures

The six decisive matches are Panama vs. England, Croatia vs. Ghana, Colombia vs. Portugal, Congo vs. Uzbekistan, Algeria vs. Austria and Jordan vs. Argentina.

Those results will complete the tournament’s first knockout round in the expanded 48-team format, where the top two teams in each group advance along with the eight best third-place finishers.

What is already set

AP said the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Norway have already advanced.

The United States will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32, and Canada will meet South Africa.

Other confirmed matchups include Brazil vs. Japan, France vs. Sweden, Germany vs. Paraguay, the Netherlands vs. Morocco, Argentina vs. Cape Verde, Australia vs. Egypt and Norway vs. Ivory Coast.

What still depends on today

Croatia can advance with a win or a draw, while Portugal advances with a draw or better. Austria is also likely to move on with a draw.

AP said third-place teams with four points are likely to advance. Teams with three points may still qualify if results break their way, and any unresolved cases will be decided by tiebreakers such as goal differential and goals scored.

The final standings will determine which teams claim the last available places and how the bracket looks heading into the round of 32.