The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage has wrapped up with all 32 Round of 32 matchups confirmed, delivering a final weekend of results that included a record-breaking Lionel Messi goal, South Africa’s historic first-ever knockout stage qualification, and one of the most chaotic matches in recent World Cup memory between Algeria and Austria.
Argentina finished Group J unbeaten, topping the standings with three consecutive wins. Lionel Messi came off the bench in the 60th minute of Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Jordan and scored a trademark free kick late in the match, his 19th World Cup goal overall and his seventh in seven consecutive games, a new all-time World Cup record. He now leads the Golden Boot race with six goals in the tournament. Argentina will face debutants Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage, in the Round of 32 on July 3 in Miami.
The most dramatic match of the final group stage day was simultaneously played in the same group. Algeria and Austria drew 3-3 in a breathless encounter that swung on multiple stoppage time goals and saw both sides come within seconds of elimination at various points. Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez scored in added time to level the match at 2-2 before Austria responded with another late goal of their own. Both teams advance, Austria in second place and Algeria as one of the best third-place teams. Iran, which needed another result to go their way, were eliminated. Austria face Spain on July 2 in Los Angeles, while Algeria take on Switzerland in Vancouver on the same day.
In Group A, South Africa made history by beating South Korea 1-0, with Thapelo Maseko’s 63-minute strike sending Bafana Bafana into the Round of 32 for the first time in the country’s World Cup history. South Africa will meet Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday. Canada, which finished second in Group B after Switzerland beat them to top spot, advance to the knockouts on home soil for the first time since hosting the tournament.
France topped their group with nine points and a plus-8 goal differential, while Spain, England, Colombia, Portugal and Mexico all advanced comfortably. Uruguay were eliminated in a significant upset despite entering the tournament as one of South America’s strongest sides.
The Round of 32 kicks off on June 30, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
