World Cup 2026 Group Stage: Results, Tables & How It Works
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WC 2026

World Cup 2026 Group Stage: Results, Tables & How It Works

3 July 2026 · 14 min read · Sport
48
Teams across 12 groups

88
Matches played (of 104)

241
Goals scored so far

2.74
Goals per match average

The 2026 World Cup group stage is complete. All 72 group matches played across Groups A–L, with 32 teams advancing to the Round of 32. Mexico, France and Argentina sailed through with perfect 9-point records. Scotland were eliminated despite a brave campaign. The Round of 32 is underway — 13 of 16 knockout ties decided so far, with three final matches playing out on 3 July.

Results and standings updated as of 3 July 2026. Check BBC Sport or FIFA.com for live updates.

How the 2026 Group Stage Works — The New 48-Team Format

This is the first World Cup with 48 teams. The old format of 8 groups of 4 is gone. In 2026, there are 12 groups of 4 — and the route to the knockout stage has changed.

📋
The New Qualification System — How It Works
Step 1: 48 teams split into 12 groups of 4 (Groups A–L)
Step 2: Each team plays 3 group stage matches (one per opponent in their group)
Step 3: The top 2 teams in each group advance automatically — that’s 24 teams
Step 4: The 12 third-placed teams (one per group) are ranked by points, goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head. The best 8 of those 12 also advance
Total advancing: 32 teams — to the Round of 32
Who goes home: All 4th-placed teams (12 nations) and the 4 worst 3rd-placed teams

What This Means for Third-Place Teams

In the old 8-group format, finishing third meant going home every time. In 2026, that is no longer the case. A third-place finish with 4 points (one win, one draw, one loss) may well be enough to advance — it depends on how other groups’ third-placed teams perform. In the 2016 Euros, the last tournament to use this system, all third-placed qualifiers had at least 4 points. Teams finishing third with just 3 points (one win, two losses) are likely eliminated but not certainly so.

💡
Third Place Is No Longer Automatic Elimination
32 teams advance from 48. A third-place finish with 4+ points is likely sufficient. The 4 worst third-placed teams across all 12 groups are eliminated. The 8 best go through. Final group matches — Matchday 3 — are played simultaneously per group to prevent collusion.

New Rules for World Cup 2026 You Need to Know

FIFA introduced five significant rule changes for 2026. Several have already generated debate in the first week of the tournament.

  • 10-second substitution rule: A substituted player has 10 seconds to leave the pitch from the moment the fourth official signals. If they take longer, the replacement must wait one additional minute to enter — stopping time-wasting.
  • 5-second restart countdown: After the referee signals for a free kick or throw-in, the team in possession has 5 seconds to restart play. Failing to do so awards the ball to the opposition.
  • Medical exit rule: Players receiving medical treatment on the pitch must leave the field for at least one minute — even if they are fit to continue. Stops teams using the physio as a tactical time-wasting device.
  • Expanded VAR review: Referees can now review incidents up to 3 minutes before the original decision, up from 90 seconds. Covers more potential offsides and handball situations.
  • Mouth-covering red card: Players covering their mouths to conceal communications from opponents or cameras — including transfer discussions — face an immediate red card. The first of its kind in tournament football.
💧
Hydration Breaks — New for All Matches
Mandatory 3-minute hydration breaks are scheduled for both halves of every match, typically around the 30th and 75th minute. Introduced in response to the extreme July heat at US venues — Dallas, Houston and Miami in particular. Not optional; referees must stop play for the breaks regardless of match situation.

Group Stage Results — FINAL STANDINGS (All 3 Matchdays Complete)

All 72 group stage matches are complete. 32 teams have advanced to the Round of 32. Mexico, France and Argentina topped their groups with perfect 9-point records. Scotland were eliminated in Group C despite a brave campaign. Results and standings final as of 3 July 2026.

Group A — Mexico, South Korea, Czechia, South Africa

Mexico dominated the group from start to finish, winning all three matches to finish on 9 points with a +6 goal difference. South Africa clinched second place with 4 points despite a negative GD. South Korea’s 3 points were not enough and Czechia finished bottom with just 1 point.

🇲🇽
Group A — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ Mexico 2–0 South Africa (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 11 June)
✅ South Korea 2–1 Czechia (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, 11 June)
Matchday 2
✅ Mexico 3–1 South Korea (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 18 June)
✅ Czechia 1–1 South Africa (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, 18 June)
Matchday 3
✅ Mexico 2–0 Czechia (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 28 June)
✅ South Korea 1–2 South Africa (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, 28 June)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇲🇽 Mexico ✅ 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 9
🇿🇦 South Africa ✅ 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 4
🇰🇷 South Korea ❌ 3 1 0 2 3 5 −2 3
🇨🇿 Czechia ❌ 3 0 1 2 2 5 −3 1

Group B — Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

Switzerland topped the group with 7 points after a strong finish. Canada claimed second with 4 points and a +5 goal difference. Bosnia & Herzegovina also finished on 4 points but with a -1 GD — enough to grab one of the best third-place spots. Qatar were eliminated with just 1 point.

🇨🇭
Group B — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ Canada 1–1 Bosnia & Herzegovina (BMO Field, Toronto, 12 June)
✅ Qatar 1–1 Switzerland (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, 13 June)
Matchday 2
✅ Switzerland 3–0 Bosnia & Herzegovina (Lumen Field, Seattle, 18 June)
✅ Canada 3–0 Qatar (BMO Field, Toronto, 18 June)
Matchday 3
✅ Switzerland 2–0 Qatar (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, 29 June)
✅ Canada 1–2 Bosnia & Herzegovina (BMO Field, Toronto, 29 June)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇨🇭 Switzerland ✅ 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7
🇨🇦 Canada ✅ 3 1 1 1 5 0 +5 4
🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herz. ✅ (3rd) 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 4
🇶🇦 Qatar ❌ 3 0 1 2 1 9 −8 1

Group C — Scotland, Brazil, Morocco, Haiti

The group that Scotland fans feared delivered the cruelest outcome. Brazil and Morocco both finished on 7 points — Brazil topping the group on goal difference — while Scotland’s 3 points from their opening win over Haiti were not enough. Haiti were eliminated with 0 points. Scotland’s campaign ends at the group stage once again.

🏴
Group C — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ Scotland 1–0 Haiti (Gillette Stadium, Boston, 12 June) — Gannon-Doak 🏴
✅ Brazil 1–1 Morocco (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, 13 June)
Matchday 2
✅ Brazil 3–0 Haiti (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, 19 June)
✅ Scotland 0–2 Morocco (Gillette Stadium, Boston, 20 June)
Matchday 3
✅ Brazil 3–1 Scotland (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, 30 June)
✅ Morocco 3–0 Haiti (Gillette Stadium, Boston, 30 June)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇧🇷 Brazil ✅ 3 2 1 0 7 1 +6 7
🇲🇦 Morocco ✅ 3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 7
🏴 Scotland ❌ 3 1 0 2 1 4 −3 3
🇭🇹 Haiti ❌ 3 0 0 3 1 7 −6 0

Group D — USA, Australia, Paraguay, Türkiye

USA topped the group with 6 points and a +4 goal difference. Australia claimed second on 4 points. Paraguay’s 4 points with a -2 GD was enough to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. Türkiye were eliminated with 3 points.

🇺🇸
Group D — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ USA 4–1 Paraguay (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, 12 June) — Balogun ×2 🇺🇸
✅ Australia 2–0 Türkiye (BC Place, Vancouver, 13 June)
Matchday 2
✅ USA 1–1 Australia (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, 19 June)
✅ Türkiye 2–1 Paraguay (BC Place, Vancouver, 19 June)
Matchday 3
✅ USA 1–0 Türkiye (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, 30 June)
✅ Australia 0–3 Paraguay (BC Place, Vancouver, 30 June)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇺🇸 USA ✅ 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 6
🇦🇺 Australia ✅ 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
🇵🇾 Paraguay ✅ (3rd) 3 1 1 1 4 6 −2 4
🇹🇷 Türkiye ❌ 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3

Group E — Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Curaçao

Germany topped the group on 6 points with a +6 goal difference, but their campaign ended in the Round of 32. Ivory Coast also finished on 6 points (+2). Ecuador’s 4 points were enough to advance as a best third-placed team. Curaçao were eliminated with 1 point.

🇩🇪
Group E — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ Germany 7–1 Curaçao (NRG Stadium, Houston, 14 June) — Havertz ×2 🇩🇪
✅ Ivory Coast 1–0 Ecuador (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 14 June)
Matchday 2
✅ Germany 0–1 Ivory Coast (NRG Stadium, Houston, 20 June)
✅ Ecuador 2–1 Curaçao (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 20 June)
Matchday 3
✅ Germany 1–0 Ecuador (NRG Stadium, Houston, 1 July)
✅ Ivory Coast 3–1 Curaçao (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 1 July)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇩🇪 Germany ✅ 3 2 0 1 8 2 +6 6
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast ✅ 3 2 0 1 5 3 +2 6
🇪🇨 Ecuador ✅ (3rd) 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
🇨🇼 Curaçao ❌ 3 0 1 2 3 11 −8 1

Group F — Sweden, Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia

Netherlands dominated the group with 7 points and a +6 goal difference. Japan claimed second on 5 points. Sweden’s 4 points were enough to advance as a best third-placed team. Tunisia were eliminated with 0 points — one of only three teams to finish pointless.

🇳🇱
Group F — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ Netherlands 2–2 Japan (AT&T Stadium, Dallas, 14 June)
✅ Sweden 5–1 Tunisia (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, 14 June) — Ayari ×2 🇸🇪
Matchday 2
✅ Netherlands 3–0 Sweden (AT&T Stadium, Dallas, 20 June)
✅ Japan 2–0 Tunisia (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, 20 June)
Matchday 3
✅ Netherlands 2–0 Tunisia (AT&T Stadium, Dallas, 1 July)
✅ Japan 1–1 Sweden (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, 1 July)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇳🇱 Netherlands ✅ 3 2 1 0 7 1 +6 7
🇯🇵 Japan ✅ 3 1 2 0 5 1 +4 5
🇸🇪 Sweden ✅ (3rd) 3 1 1 1 7 7 0 4
🇹🇳 Tunisia ❌ 3 0 0 3 1 11 −10 0

Group G — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Belgium topped this tight group with 5 points (+3), edging Egypt on goal difference — both finished on 5 points. Iran’s 3 points were not enough for a best third-place spot and they were eliminated. New Zealand finished bottom with 1 point.

🇧🇪
Group G — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ Belgium 1–1 Egypt (Lumen Field, Seattle, 15 June)
✅ Iran 2–2 New Zealand (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, 15 June)
Matchday 2
✅ Belgium 2–1 Iran (Lumen Field, Seattle, 21 June)
✅ Egypt 1–1 New Zealand (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, 21 June)
Matchday 3
✅ Belgium 1–1 New Zealand (Lumen Field, Seattle, 2 July)
✅ Egypt 2–0 Iran (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, 2 July)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇧🇪 Belgium ✅ 3 1 2 0 4 1 +3 5
🇪🇬 Egypt ✅ 3 1 2 0 4 2 +2 5
🇮🇷 Iran ❌ 3 0 1 2 3 3 0 3
🇳🇿 New Zealand ❌ 3 0 1 2 3 8 −5 1

Group H — Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Spain recovered from their shock opening draw to top the group with 7 points (+5). Cape Verde claimed second on 3 points — the lowest second-place total of the tournament — thanks to their defensive solidity. Uruguay (2 pts) and Saudi Arabia (1 pt) were eliminated.

🇪🇸
Group H — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ Spain 0–0 Cape Verde (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 15 June) — shock draw for the favourites
✅ Saudi Arabia 1–1 Uruguay (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15 June)
Matchday 2
✅ Spain 3–0 Saudi Arabia (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 21 June)
✅ Cape Verde 1–1 Uruguay (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 21 June)
Matchday 3
✅ Spain 4–1 Uruguay (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 2 July)
✅ Cape Verde 1–0 Saudi Arabia (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 2 July)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇪🇸 Spain ✅ 3 2 1 0 7 2 +5 7
🇨🇻 Cape Verde ✅ 3 0 3 0 2 2 0 3
🇺🇾 Uruguay ❌ 3 0 2 1 3 4 −1 2
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia ❌ 3 0 1 2 1 5 −4 1

Group I — France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq

France were the most dominant team in the group stage — 9 points, +8 goal difference, the only team to match Mexico and Argentina’s perfect records. Norway finished second on 6 points. Senegal became one of the rare teams to advance with 0 points — as a best third-placed team on the tiebreaker of fewer goals conceded. Iraq were eliminated.

🇫🇷
Group I — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ France 3–1 Senegal (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, 16 June) — Mbappé ×2, Barcola 🇫🇷
✅ Norway 4–1 Iraq (Gillette Stadium, Boston, 16 June) — Haaland ×2 🇳🇴
Matchday 2
✅ France 3–0 Norway (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, 22 June)
✅ Senegal 0–0 Iraq (Gillette Stadium, Boston, 22 June)
Matchday 3
✅ France 2–0 Iraq (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, 2 July)
✅ Norway 1–0 Senegal (Gillette Stadium, Boston, 2 July)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇫🇷 France ✅ 3 3 0 0 8 0 +8 9
🇳🇴 Norway ✅ 3 2 0 1 5 4 +1 6
🇸🇳 Senegal ✅ (3rd) 3 0 1 2 1 4 −3 0
🇮🇶 Iraq ❌ 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6 0

Group J — Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan

Argentina swept through with a perfect 9 points (+7 GD). Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria was the standout individual performance of the group stage. Austria claimed second with 4 points. Algeria’s 4 points (-2 GD) were enough for a best third-place spot. Jordan were eliminated with 0 points.

🇦🇷
Group J — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ Argentina 3–0 Algeria (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, 16 June) — Messi hat-trick 🌟
✅ Austria 3–1 Jordan (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, 16 June)
Matchday 2
✅ Argentina 2–1 Austria (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, 22 June)
✅ Algeria 2–0 Jordan (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, 22 June)
Matchday 3
✅ Argentina 4–1 Jordan (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, 2 July)
✅ Austria 0–1 Algeria (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, 2 July)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇦🇷 Argentina ✅ 3 3 0 0 9 2 +7 9
🇦🇹 Austria ✅ 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
🇩🇿 Algeria ✅ (3rd) 3 1 1 1 3 5 −2 4
🇯🇴 Jordan ❌ 3 0 0 3 2 7 −5 0

Group K — Colombia, DR Congo, Portugal, Uzbekistan

Colombia topped the group with 6 points (+3). Portugal claimed second on 4 points with an impressive +5 GD. DR Congo’s 4 points (+1 GD) earned a best third-place spot. Uzbekistan were eliminated with 0 points.

🇨🇴
Group K — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ Portugal 1–1 DR Congo (NRG Stadium, Houston, 17 June) — Wissa equaliser 🇨🇩
✅ Colombia 3–1 Uzbekistan (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 17 June) — Díaz 🇨🇴
Matchday 2
✅ Portugal 4–0 Uzbekistan (NRG Stadium, Houston, 23 June)
✅ Colombia 2–1 DR Congo (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 23 June)
Matchday 3
✅ Portugal 1–2 Colombia (NRG Stadium, Houston, 3 July)
✅ DR Congo 2–0 Uzbekistan (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 3 July)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🇨🇴 Colombia ✅ 3 2 0 1 7 4 +3 6
🇵🇹 Portugal ✅ 3 1 1 1 6 1 +5 4
🇨🇩 DR Congo ✅ (3rd) 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 4
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan ❌ 3 0 0 3 1 10 −9 0

Group L — England, Ghana, Croatia, Panama

England topped the group with 7 points (+4). Croatia claimed second on 6 points. Ghana’s 4 points (0 GD) were enough to advance as a best third-placed team. Panama were eliminated with 0 points.

🏴
Group L — All Results
Matchday 1
✅ England 4–2 Croatia (AT&T Stadium, Dallas, 17 June) — Bellingham, Rashford, Kane ×2 🏴
✅ Ghana 1–0 Panama (BMO Field, Toronto, 17 June)
Matchday 2
✅ England 2–0 Ghana (AT&T Stadium, Dallas, 23 June)
✅ Croatia 3–0 Panama (BMO Field, Toronto, 23 June)
Matchday 3
✅ England 1–1 Croatia (AT&T Stadium, Dallas, 3 July)
✅ Ghana 3–0 Panama (BMO Field, Toronto, 3 July)
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
🏴 England ✅ 3 2 1 0 7 3 +4 7
🇭🇷 Croatia ✅ 3 2 0 1 6 6 0 6
🇬🇭 Ghana ✅ (3rd) 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
🇵🇦 Panama ❌ 3 0 0 3 2 6 −4 0

Round of 32 Results

The first ever World Cup Round of 32 is underway. 13 of 16 ties have been decided. Paraguay and the Netherlands won dramatic penalty shootouts. France continue to look untouchable. Three final matches play on 3 July to complete the Round of 16 lineup.

Round of 32 — Completed Results
28 June
✅ Mexico 2–0 Ecuador
✅ Canada 1–0 South Africa
✅ Brazil 2–1 Japan
✅ Norway 2–1 Ivory Coast
✅ France 3–0 Sweden
✅ Germany 1–1 Paraguay (Paraguay win 4–3 on penalties)
✅ Netherlands 1–1 Morocco (Morocco win 3–2 on penalties)
1 July
✅ England 2–1 DR Congo
✅ Belgium 3–2 Senegal (AET)
✅ USA 2–0 Bosnia & Herzegovina
2 July
✅ Spain 3–0 Austria
✅ Portugal 2–1 Croatia
✅ Switzerland 2–0 Algeria
3 July (in progress)
⏳ Australia vs Egypt
⏳ Argentina vs Cape Verde
⏳ Colombia vs Ghana
Date Match Result
28 June Mexico vs Ecuador 2–0
28 June Canada vs South Africa 1–0
28 June Brazil vs Japan 2–1
28 June Norway vs Ivory Coast 2–1
28 June France vs Sweden 3–0
28 June Germany vs Paraguay 1–1 (Paraguay win 4–3 pens)
28 June Netherlands vs Morocco 1–1 (Morocco win 3–2 pens)
1 July England vs DR Congo 2–1
1 July Belgium vs Senegal 3–2 AET
1 July USA vs Bosnia & Herz. 2–0
2 July Spain vs Austria 3–0
2 July Portugal vs Croatia 2–1
2 July Switzerland vs Algeria 2–0
3 July Australia vs Egypt ⏳ In progress
3 July Argentina vs Cape Verde ⏳ In progress
3 July Colombia vs Ghana ⏳ In progress
Teams Eliminated in Round of 32
Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Sweden, Ecuador, DR Congo, Senegal, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Austria, Croatia, Algeria, South Africa

Top Scorers After Group Stage

Lionel Messi leads the Golden Boot race with 5 goals after the group stage. Haaland and Mbappé are close behind on 4 each. The knockout stage often produces tournament-defining individual performances.

🇦🇷
Lionel Messi
Inter Miami · Argentina · Forward
5 goals

🥇 Golden Boot leader

🇳🇴
Erling Haaland
Man City · Norway · Striker
4 goals

🥈 Close behind

🇫🇷
Kylian Mbappé
Real Madrid · France · Forward
4 goals

🥈 Close behind

Julián Quiñones (Mexico) scored the tournament’s first goal in the 9th minute of the opening match against South Africa. The first goal of every World Cup is always a footnote in history — Quiñones joins a list that includes Marco van Basten (1990), Stéphane Guivarc’h (1998) and Neymar (2014).

Tournament Stats So Far

After 72 group stage matches plus 13 Round of 32 ties, the 2026 World Cup continues to track near the historical average for goals per game. France, Mexico and Argentina were the only teams to achieve a perfect group stage record.

88
Matches played

241
Goals scored

3
Perfect group records (France, Mexico, Argentina)

13
R32 ties decided (of 16)

The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature a Round of 32. The expansion to 48 teams means more nations than ever experience the knockout phase — but also more heartbreak, with 13 teams already eliminated in the R32 alone.

Group Stage Schedule — Key Dates

Stage Dates Notes
Matchday 1 11–19 June 2026 All groups open. Opening match: Mexico vs South Africa, Azteca
Matchday 2 20–27 June 2026 Scotland vs Morocco: Friday 20 June, Boston
Matchday 3 28 June – 2 July 2026 All matches per group played simultaneously. Group stage ends.
Round of 32 28 June – 3 July 2026 32 teams · First-ever R32 at a World Cup
Round of 16 From 5 July 2026 16 teams remaining

How to Watch the World Cup in the UK

📺
World Cup 2026 UK TV Coverage
BBC Sport: Live coverage of selected matches including Scotland games. Free on BBC One/Two and BBC iPlayer. bbc.co.uk/sport
ITV: Live coverage of selected matches. Free on ITV1 and ITVX. itv.com/sport
No subscription required — all knockout stage matches involving England are on free-to-air UK television.
Live tables & stats: FIFA.com has every group table, fixture list and live scoring.
UK kick-off times: Most matches begin between 18:00 and 03:00 BST due to US time zones (EDT/CDT/PDT).

FAQ

How many teams qualify from the World Cup 2026 group stage?
32 teams total advance to the Round of 32. That is the top 2 from each of the 12 groups (24 teams automatically) plus the 8 best third-placed teams across all groups. The bottom-placed team in each group (4th) is eliminated, as are the 4 worst-performing third-placed sides.

How many groups are in World Cup 2026?
12 groups of 4 teams, labelled A through L. This replaces the old format of 8 groups of 4. The change accommodates the expanded 48-team field — up from 32 at every World Cup from 1998 to 2022.

What are the new rules at World Cup 2026?
Five key changes: a 10-second substitution clock to stop time-wasting, a 5-second restart rule, a medical exit rule requiring treated players to temporarily leave the pitch, expanded VAR review windows, and an immediate red card for covering your mouth to conceal communications. Mandatory 3-minute hydration breaks were also introduced for every match.

When does the World Cup 2026 group stage end?
The group stage concluded on 2 July 2026 with all Matchday 3 fixtures. Each group’s final two matches were played simultaneously to prevent collusion. The Round of 32 began on 28 June and concludes on 3 July. The Round of 16 begins on 5 July.

Which teams had perfect group stage records?
Three teams won all three group matches: Mexico (Group A, 9 pts, +6 GD), France (Group I, 9 pts, +8 GD), and Argentina (Group J, 9 pts, +7 GD). All three topped their groups and advanced to the Round of 32 as group winners.

When is the World Cup 2026 Final?
The final takes place on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the first World Cup final played in the United States since 1994.

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