The U.S. men’s national team became the second nation to secure a spot in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and it has secured first place in Group D.
Following its 2-0 victory over Australia, the USA improved to 2-0-0 in Group D play. And while it clinched a spot in the knockout round with its win, the USA was able to win Group D thanks to Paraguay’s victory over Türkiye on Friday night. It marks the first time since 2010 that the USA has won its group at the World Cup.
As we’re in the midst of each nation’s Match Day 2, here is a closer look at the World Cup bracket and scenarios.
JUMP TO:
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D
Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H
Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L
Third-Place Rankings
(All records are win-draw-loss)
Mexico’s win over South Korea on Friday meant it won Group A because the first tiebreaker is head-to-head results. Mexico’s result in its final game against Czechia won’t matter for its standing, although it will matter to the Czechs.
Mexico WINS Group A | Javier Hernández REACTS to Mexico advancing to round of 32
With strong goal differences and the top-eight third-place teams now qualifying, Canada and Switzerland will likely advance. The winner of Group B will be determined by the matchup between the two countries on Wednesday, June 24 (3 p.m. ET on FOX). Switzerland will have to win that game to win Group B due to Canada’s superior goal difference.
Morocco and Brazil secured three points with wins over Scotland and Haiti, respectively. Brazil moved to the top of the group because of goal difference. After losses to Scotland and Brazil, Haiti will be heading home after the group stage.
The USA has won Group D, clinching first place with its 2-0 win over Australia and Paraguay’s 1-0 win over Türkiye on Friday. For the Americans, they have a match against Türkiye before playing in the round of 32 on July 1. Australia and Paraguay will battle for second place in the Group D finale on Thursday, with the Australians holding the edge due to goal differential. Türkiye can’t advance to the knockout stage.
United States vs Australia Highlights
Germany is in a very strong position after its first game, which saw it beat Curaçao and get a plus-6 goal differential. The Germans’ matchup against the Ivory Coast on Saturday will go a long way in determining which country will win this group.
Ecuador will need to beat Curaçao on Saturday to give itself a good chance to advance with a matchup against Germany on the horizon in its final match of the group stage.
Sweden is looking good after a blowout win over Tunisia in its first game, but it faces two difficult matches against the Netherlands and Japan to close out group play.
The Dutch and Japanese played to a thrilling 2-2 draw in their matchup to open the tournament. Both teams still have a good chance of winning Group F, but that will likely require a win over Sweden.
Netherlands vs Japan Extended Highlights | 2026 FIFA World Cup™
It’s all up for grabs in Group G after two draws in the opening two matches. Belgium will still be favored to win the group with matches against New Zealand and Iran on the horizon.
Spain will still be favored to win this group, even after a draw against Cape Verde in what should have been its easiest matchup. Uruguay was the second favorite, but it dropped points against Saudi Arabia.
HISTORIC DRAW 🚨 FIFA World Cup Now reacts to SHOCKING Spain-Cape Verde scoreless draw ⚽️
Advantage to France and Norway after one match day. Norway took care of business against Iraq, while France got a huge three points against Senegal in its opener. Those teams will play on the final match day.
France can take a big step toward qualifying with a win over Iraq in its second match. A positive result for Senegal against Norway would also go a long way after its loss to France.
Argentina and Austria, the two favorites in this group, took care of business in their respective first games. They will meet on the final match day, when both teams may already have qualified for the round of 32. Algeria and Jordan, though, have work to do.
Portugal sputtered against DR Congo and now has work to do in order to qualify for the round of 32. Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. will be expected to beat Uzbekistan, but a game on Saturday, June 27 to close out group play against Colombia could be important.
England got a huge result with its win over Croatia. The Three Lions will now be favorites to win its final two group games against Ghana and Panama.
Speaking of Ghana, it has England next. Good thing it found a late winner against Panama, because those three points were hugely necessary ahead of games against England and Croatia to close its group-stage games.
| Record | Goal Differential | Goals Scored | Points | |
| 1. Scotland | 1-0-1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 2. Paraguay | 1-0-1 | -2 | 1 | 3 |
| 3. Netherlands | 0-1-0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 4. Belgium | 0-1-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 5. Portugal | 0-1-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 6. Spain | 0-1-0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7. Czechia | 0-1-1 | -1 | 2 | 1 |
| 8. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0-1-1 | -3 | 2 | 1 |
| 9. Ecuador | 0-0-1 | -1 | 0 | 0 |
| 10. Panama | 0-0-1 | -1 | 0 | 0 |
| 11. Senegal | 0-0-1 | -2 | 1 | 0 |
| 12. Jordan | 0-0-1 | -2 | 1 | 0 |
The Netherlands sits atop the third-place standings at the beginning of Match Day 9 as a consequence of targets scored, which is the second tiebreaker after objective differential. The eight third-place groups with probably the most factors advance to the spherical of 32.
Spherical Of 32 Matchups
- Mexico plays the third-place team from Group C, E, F, H or I in Mexico City Stadium on June 30.
- The winner of Group E plays the third-place team from Group A, B, C, D or F in Boston Stadium on June 29.
- The winner of Group I plays the third-place team from Group C, D, F, G or H in New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30.
- The runner-up of Group A plays the runner-up of Group B in Los Angeles Stadium on June 28.
- The runner-up of Group F plays the runner-up of Group C in Monterrey Stadium on June 29.
- The runner-up of Group K plays the runner-up of Group L in Toronto Stadium on July 2.
- The winner of Group H plays the runner-up of Group J in Los Angeles Stadium on July 2.
- United States plays the third-place team from Group B, E, F, I or J in San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1.
- The winner of Group G plays the third-place team from Group A, E, H, I or J in Seattle Stadium on July 1.
- The winner of Group C plays the runner-up of Group F in Houston Stadium on June 29.
- The runner-up of Group E plays the runner-up of Group I in Dallas Stadium on June 30.
- The winner of Group L plays the third-place team from Group E, H, I, J or K in Atlanta on July 1.
- The winner of Group J plays the runner-up of Group H in Miami Stadium on July 3.
- The runner-up of Group D plays the runner-up of Group G in Dallas Stadium on July 3.
- The winner of Group B plays the third-place team from Group E, F, G, I or J in BC Place Vancouver on July 2.
- The winner of Group K plays the third-place team from Group D, E, I, J or L in Kansas City Stadium on July 3.
