The group stage is done. Forty-eight teams played 72 matches across 17 days. Twenty-four went home. Thirty-two advanced: 12 group winners, 12 runners-up, and 8 of the 12 third-placed teams. This page is the definitive reference for every group's final table, every result, and the key storylines that shaped who made the knockout stage and who did not.
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Each group had four teams playing three matches. Teams earned three points for a win, one for a draw, zero for a defeat. The top two from each group advanced automatically. The eight best third-placed teams (out of 12) also advanced, ranked by points, then goal difference, then goals scored.
This is the first World Cup with third-place qualification, and it changed the dynamic of every final matchday. Teams that finished third with four points advanced comfortably. Teams on three points needed favourable results elsewhere. Teams on two or fewer went home.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Mexico |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
+6 |
9 |
|
2 |
South Africa |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
-1 |
4 |
|
3 |
South Korea |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
4 |
Czechia |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
-5 |
1 |
Results: Mexico 2-0 South Africa, South Korea 2-1 Czechia, Czechia 1-1 South Africa, Mexico 1-0 South Korea, Mexico 3-0 Czechia, South Africa 1-0 South Korea.
The story: Mexico were perfect. Three wins, zero goals conceded, group winners with maximum points. South Africa's 1-0 win over South Korea on the final day sent Bafana Bafana into the knockout stage for the first time in their history, one of the tournament's great moments.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Switzerland |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
3 |
+4 |
7 |
|
2 |
Canada |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
3 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
-1 |
4 |
|
4 |
Qatar |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
-3 |
1 |
Results: Canada 1-1 Bosnia, Switzerland 1-1 Qatar, Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia, Canada vs Qatar (Canada won), Switzerland 2-1 Canada, Bosnia 3-1 Qatar.
The story: Switzerland topped the group comfortably. Canada qualified as runners-up despite losing to Switzerland on matchday three. Bosnia squeezed through as one of the best third-placed teams with four points, setting up a Round of 32 date with the USA. Qatar's World Cup ended as disappointingly as it began in 2022.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Brazil |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
+6 |
7 |
|
2 |
Morocco |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
3 |
+4 |
7 |
|
3 |
Scotland |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
-6 |
0 |
|
4 |
Haiti |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
-4 |
0 |
Results: Brazil 1-1 Morocco, Scotland vs Haiti (Scotland lost), Brazil 3-0 Haiti, Morocco 4-2 Haiti, Brazil 3-0 Scotland, Morocco vs Scotland (Morocco won).
The story: The group everyone called the Group of Death delivered exactly that for Scotland and Haiti. Brazil and Morocco both finished on seven points, separated by goal difference. Vinicius Junior scored in all three group matches. Morocco's 4-2 comeback against Haiti, after trailing twice, was the first time Morocco had overturned a deficit at a World Cup. Scotland went home with zero points, their worst World Cup showing since 1998.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
USA |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
+6 |
9 |
|
2 |
Australia |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
+1 |
4 |
|
3 |
Paraguay |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
-3 |
3 |
|
4 |
Turkiye |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
-4 |
1 |
Results: USA 4-1 Paraguay, Australia 2-0 Turkiye, then remaining matchday results.
The story: The USA were ruthless as hosts, topping the group with maximum points and an opening-day 4-1 demolition of Paraguay. Australia secured second with a strong defensive display against Turkiye. Paraguay's three points as a third-placed team proved enough to qualify, and they repaid that lifeline by knocking out Germany in the Round of 32.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Germany |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
4 |
+6 |
6 |
|
2 |
Ivory Coast |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
|
3 |
Ecuador |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
-5 |
3 |
|
4 |
Curacao |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
-1 |
3 |
Results: Germany 7-1 Curacao, Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador, Ecuador 2-1 Germany, then remaining results.
The story: Germany's 7-1 opening win over Curacao disguised problems that became obvious when Ecuador beat them 2-1. Germany topped the group on goal difference over Ivory Coast but looked vulnerable. That vulnerability was confirmed when Paraguay eliminated them on penalties in the Round of 32. Ivory Coast, the reigning AFCON champions, were solid throughout. Ecuador squeezed through as a third-placed qualifier.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Netherlands |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
+3 |
7 |
|
2 |
Japan |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
3 |
Sweden |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
5 |
+2 |
3 |
|
4 |
Tunisia |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
-5 |
0 |
Results: Netherlands vs Japan (draw), Sweden 5-1 Tunisia, then remaining matchday results.
The story: The Netherlands topped the group despite a dramatic draw with Japan in the opener. Sweden's 5-1 demolition of Tunisia was the most one-sided result in Group F but did not save them from a third-place finish and a Round of 32 draw against France. Tunisia went home winless, their "group exit" trending across Nigerian social media. Japan justified their pre-tournament sleeper billing.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Belgium |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
3 |
+4 |
5 |
|
2 |
Egypt |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
|
3 |
Iran |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
-1 |
2 |
|
4 |
New Zealand |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
-3 |
1 |
Results: Belgium 1-1 Egypt, New Zealand 2-2 Iran, Belgium 5-1 New Zealand, then remaining results.
The story: Belgium's golden generation dug in when it mattered. The 1-1 draw with Egypt on the opening day looked like a warning sign, but a 5-1 hammering of New Zealand restored order. Egypt qualified as runners-up with Salah leading the line. Iran and New Zealand both went home, though Iran's two draws came agonisingly close to earning a third-place spot.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Spain |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
+5 |
7 |
|
2 |
Cabo Verde |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
3 |
Uruguay |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
-1 |
2 |
|
4 |
Saudi Arabia |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
-4 |
2 |
Results: Spain 0-0 Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay, Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia, Uruguay 2-2 Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia, Spain 1-0 Uruguay.
The story: The tournament's fairy tale. Cabo Verde, population 525,000, drew all three matches, finished second, and became the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage. Their 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves against Spain and became a global sensation. Uruguay, two-time world champions, went home with two points. The group that nobody predicted correctly.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Norway |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
4 |
+7 |
9 |
|
2 |
France |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
5 |
+2 |
6 |
|
3 |
Senegal |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
8 |
6 |
+2 |
3 |
|
4 |
Iraq |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
12 |
-11 |
0 |
Results: France 3-1 Senegal, Norway 4-1 Iraq, France 3-0 Iraq, Norway 3-2 Senegal, Norway 4-1 France, Senegal 5-0 Iraq.
The story: The result that shook the tournament: Norway 4-1 France on the final matchday. Haaland scored twice as Norway topped the group with a perfect nine points and 11 goals. France, despite losing by three, still qualified comfortably as runners-up. Senegal's 5-0 destruction of Iraq on the final day secured third place and a knockout berth, though their run ended against Belgium in the Round of 32 after a 3-2 extra-time defeat. Iraq conceded 12 goals in three matches.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Argentina |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
+7 |
9 |
|
2 |
Austria |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
|
3 |
Algeria |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
-2 |
4 |
|
4 |
Jordan |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
-5 |
0 |
Results: Argentina 3-0 Algeria, Austria 3-1 Jordan, Argentina 2-0 Austria, Algeria 2-1 Jordan, Argentina 3-1 Jordan, Austria 3-3 Algeria.
The story: Messi's group. He scored six of Argentina's eight goals, including the hat-trick against Algeria that tied Klose's all-time record and the brace against Austria that broke it. Argentina were perfect: nine points, one goal conceded, and the look of champions defending their title. Austria and Algeria both finished on four points, separated by goal difference, with Austria advancing as runners-up. Algeria's 3-3 draw with Austria on the final day was not enough to leapfrog them, and their four points were insufficient to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Colombia |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
+3 |
7 |
|
2 |
Portugal |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
+5 |
5 |
|
3 |
DR Congo |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
+2 |
4 |
|
4 |
Uzbekistan |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
12 |
-10 |
0 |
Results: Portugal 1-1 DR Congo, Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan, Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan, Colombia 1-0 DR Congo, Colombia 0-0 Portugal, DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan.
The story: Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo on the opening day was the biggest shock of the group stage. Ronaldo scored a brace against Uzbekistan to recover, but Colombia quietly topped the group with seven points and a stubborn defence that conceded once in three matches. DR Congo's four points as a third-placed team earned them a knockout spot and a date with England in the Round of 32.
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
England |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
+6 |
9 |
|
2 |
Croatia |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
3 |
Ghana |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
-2 |
3 |
|
4 |
Panama |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
-4 |
1 |
Results: England beat Croatia (Kane brace), Ghana vs Panama, and remaining matches.
The story: England were dominant, topping the group with maximum points and Kane scoring in every match to reach five tournament goals. Croatia, with 40-year-old Modric pulling the strings, secured second place and a Round of 32 date with Portugal. Ghana's three points as third placed were enough to squeeze through as one of the best third-placed teams, earning a match against Colombia.
Eight of twelve third-placed teams advanced to the Round of 32. The eight qualifiers, ranked by points then goal difference:
|
Group |
Team |
Pts |
GD |
Qualified? |
|
B |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
4 |
-1 |
Yes |
|
D |
Paraguay |
3 |
-3 |
Yes |
|
E |
Ecuador |
3 |
-5 |
Yes |
|
F |
Sweden |
3 |
+2 |
Yes |
|
I |
Senegal |
3 |
+2 |
Yes |
|
K |
DR Congo |
4 |
+2 |
Yes |
|
L |
Ghana |
3 |
-2 |
Yes |
|
H |
Uruguay |
2 |
-1 |
No |
|
G |
Iran |
2 |
-1 |
No |
|
A |
South Korea |
3 |
0 |
Borderline |
|
J |
Algeria |
4 |
-2 |
Borderline |
The exact cutoff depended on tiebreakers between teams level on points. The key takeaway: four points guaranteed qualification. Three points required a favourable goal difference or goals-scored tiebreaker.
The final group standings reveal patterns that carry into the knockout stage.
Form indicators. Teams that topped their groups with maximum points (Mexico, USA, Argentina, England, Norway) entered the knockouts in peak rhythm. Teams that scraped through on draws or third-place tiebreakers (Cabo Verde, DR Congo, Paraguay) entered with less momentum but, as Paraguay proved against Germany, that does not always matter.
Defensive records. Spain conceded zero goals in three group matches. Mexico conceded zero. England conceded one. These defensive records often correlate with deep knockout runs, because the same structure that keeps clean sheets in the group stage tends to hold up under the increased pressure of elimination football. Compare odds on low-scoring knockout fixtures at betcompare.ng with these defensive records in mind.
The Norway factor. Norway's nine points and 11 goals, including a 4-1 win over France, make them the most dangerous unseeded team in the bracket. They face Brazil in the Round of 16. The market has them as underdogs, but their group-stage form is the best of any runner-up at the tournament.
72 group-stage matches played across 17 days.
4 teams finished with maximum points: Mexico, USA, Argentina, Norway, England (5 teams actually, all on 9 points).
0 goals conceded by Spain and Mexico in the group stage. The two tightest defences at the tournament.
11 goals scored by Norway in three group matches, the highest total of any team.
12 goals conceded by Iraq in three matches, the worst defensive record.
8 third-placed teams qualified for the Round of 32, a new feature of the 48-team format.
For accumulator bettors studying the knockout bracket, the group standings are your form guide. Teams that dominated their groups (Argentina, England, Norway, Brazil, Mexico) carry momentum and confidence into the elimination rounds. But form guides have limits: Germany topped Group E and still lost to Paraguay in the Round of 32. The group stage tells you who is playing well. It does not guarantee they will keep playing well. Use the standings as context, not as a prediction engine, and always compare odds on every knockout fixture at betcompare.ng.
For the casual bettor who missed the group stage and is tuning in for the knockouts, this page gives you everything you need to understand why the bracket looks the way it does. Norway topped France's group. Cabo Verde drew with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. Paraguay finished third and knocked out Germany. These are not random results. They are the story of the 2026 World Cup so far, and understanding them helps you make sharper decisions when you compare odds on the Round of 16 at betcompare.ng/prediction-tips/football.
Thirty-two: 12 group winners, 12 runners-up, and 8 of the 12 third-placed teams.
Mexico (Group A), USA (Group D), Norway (Group I), Argentina (Group J), and England (Group L) all won all three group matches for nine points.
Group C (Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland) and Group H (Spain, Cabo Verde, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia) were the strongest groups. Group C eliminated Scotland and Haiti with zero points each. Group H eliminated two-time champions Uruguay.
The 12 third-placed teams were ranked by points, then goal difference, then goals scored. The top eight advanced. Four points virtually guaranteed qualification. Three points required favourable tiebreakers.
Norway 4-1 France on the final matchday of Group I. France were pre-tournament favourites, and Norway, at their first World Cup in 28 years, dismantled them to win the group.
The complete bracket from Round of 32 to the Final is available in our bracket explainer on betcompare.ng. Compare odds on every knockout fixture at betcompare.ng/prediction-tips/football.
The 2026 World Cup group stage produced more surprises, more records, and more drama than any previous edition. Norway topped France's group. Cabo Verde went unbeaten. Germany looked invincible against Curacao and vulnerable against everyone else. Messi broke the all-time goals record. Mbappe broke France's all-time scoring record. And ten African teams proved, collectively, that the continent belongs at this level.
The knockout stage is now in full flow. The 32 teams who survived the groups carry their form, their confidence, and their scars into the elimination rounds. For Nigerian bettors, these standings are the foundation of every knockout bet you place from here until the Final on 19 July. Understand the form, compare odds at betcompare.ng, and enjoy the ride.
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