World Cup 2026: Which countries have already qualified for the Round of 16?

Canada officially booked their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after securing a dramatic late victory over South Africa.

The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has already delivered thrilling matches, major surprises, and intense competition as nations battle for a place in the knockout rounds.

Several countries remain firmly in contention for qualification, with the race for the knockout stages continuing to produce the kind of drama and unpredictability that has become synonymous with the FIFA World Cup.

Format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 edition marks the largest World Cup in history following FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 teams.

The participating nations are divided into 12 groups of four teams each, with matches taking place across host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Under the new format, the top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the Round of 32, alongside the eight best third-placed teams. From there, the competition moves into a straight knockout format until the final.

The expansion was introduced as part of FIFA’s efforts to increase global participation and provide more national teams with the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage. The new system has also significantly increased the number of matches in the tournament, rising from 64 to 104 games.

With more teams, more matches, and greater diversity in playing styles, the 2026 World Cup is widely expected to become one of the most exciting editions in the tournament’s history.

How does the knockout stage work?

The knockout rounds begin with 32 teams competing in single-elimination matches.

If a game remains level after 90 minutes, two periods of extra time lasting 15 minutes each will be played. Should the score still remain tied, the winner will be decided through a penalty shootout.

In the Round of 32, some group winners face runners-up from other groups, while others are paired against the best third-placed teams. The remaining second-placed teams also face each other to complete the bracket.

From there, the competition progresses through the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the final, where the 2026 FIFA World Cup champion will be crowned.

Teams qualified for the Round of 16 so far

The following nations have officially secured their places in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

Canada
Morocco
Brazil
Norway
Paraguay
France
Mexico
England
Belgium