The 2026 FIFA World Cup is well underway, with the expanded tournament already delivering drama and early surprises as it progresses towards the knockout rounds. With the addition of 16 more teams, the competition now features 12 groups, a significant shift that has redefined the path to glory.

Under the new format, the knockout phase will begin with a Round of 32, followed by the traditional Round of 16. From the group stages, 24 teams will automatically qualify by finishing first or second in their respective groups. The remaining eight spots in the Round of 32 will be filled by the best third-placed teams across all groups, ensuring more matches and heightened tension.

Early qualifiers and surprising exits

Just two games into their campaigns, several nations have already secured their passage to the next stage with perfect records. Among the early qualifiers are:

• Mexico

• USA

• Germany

• France

• Norway

• Colombia

• Argentina

Host nations USA and Mexico have delighted their home fans by booking their spots early, while Canada is also well-placed to join them in the Round of 32.

Read also: Ranked: World Cup Golden Boot favourites by current odds

Conversely, the expanded field has also seen some teams face early elimination after just two matches. The nations whose World Cup journeys have concluded include:

• Group C: Haiti

• Group D: Turkey

• Group F: Tunisia

• Group I: Senegal, Iraq

• Group J: Jordan

• Group K: Uzbekistan

• Group L: Panama

Perhaps the most surprising exit comes from Group D, where Turkey was eliminated without scoring a single goal. They suffered shock defeats to Australia in their opening game and then to Paraguay in their second, ending their tournament hopes prematurely.

Potential knockout clashes on the horizon

As the group stage draws to a close, attention is already turning to the potential matchups in the newly structured knockout bracket. According to analysis by George Priestman for GiveMeSport, some tantalizing clashes could be on the cards.

France, having already qualified, will face Norway to confirm top spot in Group I, a result that could significantly impact their route. Speculative paths for major contenders suggest formidable challenges ahead:

Read also: Nikkita Lyons finally gets her first taste of WWE gold

• England: A potential Round of 16 clash against Mexico, followed by a quarter-final showdown with Brazil, and a semi-final against Argentina.

• Argentina: Could face Colombia in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-final encounter against Portugal.

The top half of the draw also hints at a blockbuster Last 16 tie between Germany and France, with the winner potentially facing the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. Further down the line, a semi-final clash between Spain and France is also being considered.

With the new format creating more pathways and potential upsets, the 2026 World Cup promises an extended period of high-stakes football as the world’s best battle for global supremacy.

Read also: Ferrari fast-tracks 'magic trick' engine for Austrian Grand Prix push