World Cup qualification outlook: 19 of 32 spots secured! 8 teams eliminated, 4 Round of 32 matchups confirmed

On June 26, Beijing time, the final round of World Cup group stage matches continued. In the concluded matchdays for Groups D, E, and F,the United States, Australia, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Netherlands, Japan, and Swedenadvanced together. As a result, 19 of the 32 teams heading to the knockout stage have been determined.

In Group D, the United States finished top with 2 wins and 1 loss, earning 6 points. Australia and Paraguay both had 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss for 4 points, but Australia edged Paraguay on goal difference to take second place, while Paraguay sits third in the group with their advancement still pending. Turkey, with 1 win and 2 losses for 3 points, finished at the bottom and was eliminated.

In Group E, Germany and Ivory Coast each recorded 2 wins and 1 loss for 6 points. Germany claimed the top spot due to a better head-to-head result (2-1).

Ecuador had 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss for 4 points, with a goal difference of 0. Ecuador thereby surpassed Bosnia and Herzegovina, currently ranking first among the 12 third-place teams, and like Bosnia, they have secured a spot in the knockout stage. Meanwhile, debutants Curacao finished with 1 draw and 2 losses for 1 point, placing last in the group and exiting in disappointment.

In Group F, the Netherlands finished first with 2 wins and 1 draw for 7 points. Japan took second place with 1 win and 2 draws for 5 points, while Sweden came third with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss for 4 points, securing one of the eight best third-place finishes and advancing to the knockout stage. Tunisia exited with 3 losses and 0 points.

Four matchups in the Round of 32 have already been confirmed: South Africa vs. Canada, Brazil vs. Japan, Netherlands vs. Morocco, and the United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

[Latest World Cup Standings]

19 teams through: Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Morocco, United States, Australia, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia

7 group winners: Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, United States, Germany, Netherlands, Argentina

8 teams eliminated: Czech Republic, Qatar, Haiti, Turkey, Curacao, Tunisia, Jordan, Panama