The race to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensified on Saturday, with Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt and Portugal all securing their places in the knockout phase.
Even so, several teams are still waiting to learn their fate, including Senegal, DR Congo and Algeria, whose hopes will be determined in the final stretch of the group stage.
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Ghana Seal Progress Before Final Match
Ghana confirmed their place in the Round of 32 before taking to the field for their last Group L match, after results elsewhere made it clear that four points would be enough to advance under FIFA’s expanded 48-team format.
The Black Stars opened with a 1-0 win over Panama before earning a goalless draw against England to reach four points.
It is Ghana’s first trip to the World Cup knockout rounds since their run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
England also moved through, with the two sides now set to meet for first place in the group.
Portugal Move Comfortably Into the Knockout Stage
Portugal also booked their spot in the Round of 32 after making a strong start to their Group K campaign.
A dominant 5-0 win over Uzbekistan secured qualification for the Portuguese, following their opening 1-1 draw with DR Congo.
They will now meet Colombia in their final group fixture, with top spot in Group K still up for grabs.
Cape Verde Write World Cup History
Cape Verde kept their remarkable debut World Cup run alive by becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage.
The Blue Sharks clinched second place in Group H after Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay confirmed their advancement.
With a population of just over 525,000, Cape Verde finished behind Spain after impressive displays against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Their historic achievement now sets up a high-profile Round of 32 meeting with reigning champions Argentina.
Egypt Progress After Draw With Iran
Egypt secured their place in the knockout rounds after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle.
Mahmoud Saber gave the Pharaohs an early advantage before Ramin Rezaeian levelled for Iran.
Iran believed they had found a late winner, but VAR disallowed the goal for offside before they later hit the crossbar in stoppage time.
The draw left Egypt second in Group G behind Belgium and booked them a Round of 32 clash with Australia.
Iran are still waiting to see whether they will advance as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Belgium Top Group G
Belgium finished first in Group G with a convincing 5-1 victory over New Zealand.
Leandro Trossard scored twice, while Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers also got on the scoresheet as the Red Devils advanced comfortably as group winners.
New Zealand were eliminated after collecting only one point from their three matches.
Senegal Keep Their Hopes Alive
Senegal strengthened their chances of reaching the knockout stage with an impressive 5-0 win over 10-man Iraq.
Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye, who scored twice, and Iliman Ndiaye all found the net as the Lions of Teranga moved into the qualification places among the best third-placed teams.
Despite the emphatic result, Senegal must still wait for the remaining group matches to see whether they have done enough to reach the Round of 32.
DR Congo and Algeria Still in the Mix
DR Congo remain very much in the hunt despite sitting behind Portugal and Colombia in Group K.
The Leopards will aim to secure qualification in their final group match and could still go through either as runners-up or as one of the best third-placed teams.
Algeria also control their own destiny heading into their decisive Group J meeting with Austria.
A win would send the Desert Foxes through automatically as group runners-up, while a draw would leave them on four points — a total that should be enough to qualify as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Only a defeat would force Algeria to depend on results elsewhere.
With the group stage nearing its end, the battle for the remaining Round of 32 spots is set for a dramatic finish as several nations continue to fight for a place in the knockout rounds.
