The United States did more than advance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. By beating Australia 2-0, the USA locked up first place in Group D and became the second nation to reach the round of 32.
That result also sharpened the picture across the tournament, where several groups are already tilting toward favorites and a few finalists still face tense winner-take-all matches. According to www.foxsports.com, the expanded round of 32 now gives more third-place teams a path forward, which has kept more nations alive deeper into group play.
Group D opens the door for the USA
The Americans improved to 2-0-0 in group play and clinched Group D thanks in part to Paraguay’s victory over Türkiye. It is the first time since 2010 that the USA has won its World Cup group.
Australia and Paraguay will meet in the Group D finale to decide second place, with Australia holding the edge on goal differential. The USA still has one match left against already eliminated Türkiye before entering the knockout round on July 1.
Who Else Has Already Moved On
Mexico won Group A after its victory over South Korea, because head-to-head results are the first tiebreaker. Canada and Switzerland are also positioned to advance, with their Wednesday meeting set to decide Group B and Switzerland needing a win to overtake Canada on goal difference.
Germany has also secured its place in the round of 32 after Denis Undav scored twice in a win over the Ivory Coast, including a stoppage-time winner. Ivory Coast now needs a result against Curaçao, while Ecuador faces Germany in the final group match.
| Group | Current Situation |
|---|---|
| A | Mexico has won the group after beating South Korea. |
| B | Canada and Switzerland meet to decide the group. |
| D | USA has clinched first place; Australia and Paraguay battle for second. |
| F | Netherlands and Japan lead, while Sweden and Tunisia face different paths. |
| K | Colombia leads after advancing, with Portugal still in the mix. |
Late group drama remains everywhere
The Netherlands and Japan sit at the top of their group after recent wins, while Sweden will face Japan and Tunisia has already been eliminated. Belgium and Iran each have two points, but Egypt is in control after beating New Zealand, leaving Belgium needing a win in its final match to feel safe.
Spain strengthened its position with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, while Cape Verde earned its first World Cup goals in a 2-2 draw with Uruguay. France and Norway are still set for a decisive meeting, with France holding the advantage on goal differential if that match ends level.
Argentina has already secured its place in the round of 32 and won its group after beating Austria, while Algeria and Austria will meet on the final match day with both still able to advance. Colombia has also advanced and now leads Group K, where a Saturday matchup with Portugal will decide the group winner.
England and Ghana are tied on four points, with England sitting first on goal difference ahead of the final match day. Croatia has also kept its hopes alive with a needed win over Panama, even as Panama has been disqualified from advancing.
The tournament’s new format keeps the pressure on third-place teams too, with the eight best third-place sides moving on. Sweden currently leads that race, followed by Scotland and Croatia, which means the knockout bracket could still keep changing until the final group matches are complete.