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Published : 27 Jun 2026, 08:23 PM
Favourites England and Portugal have qualified for the World Cup 2026 knockout stages after results in other groups went their way on Friday night US time.
The format of the 48-team tournament meant their place in the Round of 32 was secured ahead of Saturday's final group fixture against Panama.
They were not alone.
Egypt, Ghana, and Paraguay also confirmed their progression on the same evening — without needing to take to the pitch to do so.
The five sides had each accumulated four points heading into their final group matches, leaving their fate dependent on results elsewhere.
The decisive moments came in Group H, where Uruguay were beaten by Spain whilst Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia drew.
Those two results were enough to guarantee all five teams would advance, irrespective of their final games.
France, meanwhile, topped Group I in convincing fashion and will face Sweden in the Round of 32 — one of the more intriguing ties of the knockout phase.
In Group D, Germany progressed comfortably to set up a last 32 encounter with Paraguay — a somewhat poetic outcome, given the South Americans sealed their own place in the round on the very same night.
With the group stage entering its final matchday, the knockout round is rapidly taking shape.
