England, Portugal, Ghana, Egypt and Paraguay Seal Places in World Cup Last 32

England, Portugal, Ghana, Egypt and Paraguay have all secured their places in the FIFA World Cup last 32 following the outcome of Friday’s group-stage matches

Although England, Portugal, Ghana and Egypt still have one group match remaining, results elsewhere have mathematically guaranteed their progression to the knockout phase of the expanded 48-team tournament.

Paraguay are the only one of the five nations to have completed all three of their Group-stage matches. Nevertheless, their four-point haul is enough to ensure qualification.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup features a new format, with 48 teams divided into 12 groups. The top two teams from each group automatically progress to the last 32, while the eight best third-placed teams also qualify.

With four points already on the board, England, Portugal, Ghana, Egypt and Paraguay cannot finish below the qualification threshold, even in the worst-case scenario.

Their advancement was confirmed after third-placed teams in several completed groups were unable to match or better their points total. South Korea finished third in Group A with three points, Scotland claimed third place in Group C with three points, while either Uruguay (two points) or Cape Verde (three points) will finish third in Group H. Senegal also ended third in Group I with three points.

As a result, none of those sides can overtake the five already-qualified nations in the race for the best third-placed positions.

The confirmation provides England, Portugal, Ghana and Egypt with the luxury of approaching their final group fixtures knowing their places in the knockout rounds are already secure. However, those matches remain significant, as they will determine final group standings and potentially influence the calibre of opposition each side faces in the last 32.

With the group stage entering its decisive phase, more nations are expected to join the growing list of teams that have booked their places in the knockout rounds as the race for the World Cup title intensifies.