Seven teams are confirmed in the round of 32 as of Tuesday 23 June: Mexico, the United States, Germany, Argentina, France, Norway and Colombia 1. The first four came through on 21 and 22 June . The round of 32 is the new knockout stage the 48-team format introduced, slotting an extra round in before the last 16.
The maths governs the last matchdays. Twelve group winners and twelve runners-up qualify automatically; the final eight places go to the eight best third-placed teams, ranked across all groups by points, then goal difference, then goals scored. A side can finish third in its group and still go through, or finish third on the same points as a qualifier and go home on a single goal.
That is why group position still matters even when third can survive. Finishing higher, and winning the group above all, earns a theoretically easier round-of-32 opponent and a more favourable run through the bracket. A team that scrapes through third may face a group winner first and sit on the tougher side of the draw, so sides keep chasing top spot rather than settling for a place. Six groups remain live, with Groups A, B and C completing first.
