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World Cup Update: Six Teams Qualify for Knockout Stage, Four Eliminated

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Six teams, including co-hosts Mexico and the United States, have qualified for the Round of 32 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
  • Germany, Argentina, France, and Norway have also secured spots in the knockout stage after strong group performances.
  • Haiti, Tunisia, Türkiye, and Jordan have been eliminated from the tournament after failing to secure enough points in their respective groups.

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is beginning to take shape, with six nations already securing their passage to the knockout stage. Co-hosts Mexico and the United States are among the teams that have booked their places in the Round of 32, alongside football powerhouses Germany, Argentina, France, and Norway.

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (2nd R) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Argentina and Austria at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 22, 2026.

— AFP Photo CaptionThis caption describes a key moment for Argentina's star player during their qualification match.

Mexico became the first team to qualify, topping Group A with decisive victories. They are set to face a third-placed team from various groups in Mexico City on June 30. The United States followed suit, also finishing as group winners in Group D and advancing to play a third-placed team in the San Francisco Bay Area on July 1.

Germany was the first European nation to advance, securing back-to-back wins in Group E. They will compete in Boston on June 29 against a third-placed team from an adjacent group. Argentina, spurred by Lionel Messi's impressive goal-scoring record of five goals in two matches, topped Group J and will play the runners-up of Group H in Miami on July 3.

Folarin Balogun of the United States wins two Man of the Match awards consecutively. He talks to the media during a World Cup 2026 training session at Great Park Sports Complex on June 22, 2026 in Irvine, California.

— Getty Images/AFP Photo CaptionThis caption highlights the performance of a US player during the tournament.

France also progressed from Group I, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice in each of their matches. Norway secured qualification from the same group by defeating Iraq and Senegal. Conversely, Haiti, Tunisia, Türkiye, and Jordan have been eliminated from the tournament after accumulating insufficient points in their respective groups, marking an early end to their World Cup campaigns.

France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between France and Iraq at the Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia on June 22, 2026.

— AFP Photo CaptionThis caption details a goal scored by France's star forward.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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