Group play concluded on the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, that means each match is now win-or-go-home.
Groups which have superior to the Spherical of 32 now know their paths to a World Cup title. Some are simpler than others.
With that in thoughts, listed here are takeaways from Saturday’s slate, which featured finales in Teams J, Ok and L.
England avoids worst-case situation with Group L win
England capturing Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Saturday might make an enormous distinction for the nation, which hasn’t gained a World Cup since 1966.
If England did not win Saturday’s match and Ghana and Croatia gained the group as an alternative, the Three Lions would’ve fallen to second or third. In the event that they completed second, they’d’ve been ready to doubtlessly face Spain within the Spherical of 16 slightly than later within the match. La Roja is taken into account one of many favorites to hoist the World Cup Trophy. As of Saturday evening, FIFA ranks it No. 3 on this planet behind France and Argentina.
If it beats Congo DR on Wednesday (Fox/Telemundo, midday ET), England (No. 4 in FIFA rankings) will face Mexico (No. 9 in FIFA rankings) or Ecuador within the subsequent spherical. These aren’t cakewalks, however these nations aren’t as wealthy in soccer custom as Spain, which gained the match in 2010. Mexico hasn’t superior previous the Spherical of 16 since 1986, whereas Ecuador has by no means superior previous the Spherical of 16.
Croatia, in the meantime, has landed in its worst-case situation
Croatia’s 4-2 loss to England at first of the match stings much more now. After beating Ghana 2-1 at Lincoln Monetary Discipline in Philadelphia, it completed second in Group L.
Croatia will now face Portugal within the Spherical of 32 on Thursday (Fox/Telemundo, 7 p.m. ET). Portugal (No. 8 in FIFA rankings) has underperformed all through the match, but when it turns it on within the subsequent spherical, it may very well be poised to make a deep run.
Saturday represents extra unhealthy luck for Croatia (No. 13 in FIFA rankings), which has appeared doomed because it landed in Group L. The group ranked among the many hardest within the World Cup, that includes three groups within the knockout spherical, together with England and Croatia. Ghana (No. 65 within the FIFA rankings) was the third group from the pool to advance.
Croatia completed second on the quadrennial match in 2018 and third in 2022. It is exhausting to check it going that far this time, contemplating it is going through a possible gauntlet on the highway to a title.
Congo DR scores a victory for World Cup enlargement
The World Cup expanded from 32 to 48 groups for the 2026 match, making it the most important area within the occasion’s historical past. Together with extra groups drew criticism, because it was feared that it will saturate the product. However moments on Saturday evening confirmed why FIFA felt doing so was the suitable transfer.
Congo DR beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Group Ok at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, advancing to the match’s knockout spherical for the first time. Its followers had been elated after the nation made historical past.
