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FIFA LIVE: The nations vying for progression to Round of 32
SEN • June 28th, 2026 8:46 am
- Croatia v Ghana 7am
- Panama v England 7am
- Colombia v Portugal 9:30am
- DR Congo v Uzbekistan 9:30am
- Algeria v Austria 12pm
- Jordan v Argentina 12pm
World Cup daily news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as the FIFA World Cup 2026™ finally gets under way (All times AEST).
The final day of the World Cup group stages has arrived, with plenty still to play for as sides battle for a spot in the Round of 32.
Ahead of play, 27 teams have already secured a place in the knockouts, meaning that today's action will settle the fate of nine nations across the morning.
QUALIFIED: Mexico, United States, Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Australia, Spain, Cape Verde, Paraguay, Egypt, Portugal, England, Ghana, Belgium
So, what's at stake on the final day?
The obvious pointers to start are the groups themselves, with Groups J, K and L all playing off in their third group stage matches.
Kicking off with Group L, all of England, Ghana and Croatia are playing to settle their spots on the grid, with the latter still fighting to confirm their progression.
As it stands, both England and Ghana are guaranteed to advance to the knockouts with four points each, however, are fighting for top spot in the group. First is currently in line to play Senegal in the Round of 32, while second faces second from Group J... currently, Portugal.
If Croatia lose to Ghana even by just one goal, 3 points and a -2 goal difference will see them slip to eighth of the third-placed sides, hanging on by a thread and awaiting results elsewhere.
Group K follows, where Portugal face off against Colombia to determine top spot.
Both sides have already confirmed their progression, however with Colombia yet to lose thus far, Portugal would need to win to finish atop the group and will likely face the third-placed team from Group L - currently Croatia.
DR Congo also play off in a crucial bout with Uzbekistan. Sitting on 1 point and in third place in the group, a win would secure their progression and a potential Round of 32 match against the winner of Group L - currently England.
Finally, the action wraps up with Lionel Messi's Group J. Argentina have already locked up top spot and face Jordan, who have already been mathematically eliminated.
It's the clash between second and third in the group - Algeria versus Austria - that could alter the knockout stages significantly.
A draw and both progress, with Austria to finish second and face Spain, and Algeria progress in third.
Here are all the possible permutations from today's action.
Winner A (Mexico) vs. Third place from C, EWinner B (Switzerland) vs. Third place from G, JWinner D (U.S.) vs. Third place from B (Bosnia & Herzegovina)Winner E (Germany) vs. Third place from D (Paraguay)Winner G (Belgium) vs. Third place from A, I, JWinner I (France) vs. Third place from F (Sweden)Winner K (Colombia/Portugal) vs. Third place from E, I, LWinner L (England/Ghana/Croatia) vs. Third place from I, K, J
TBC: Algeria, Austria, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, Croatia, South Korea, Iran, Senegal, Scotland
