World Cup 2026 Knockout Bracket, Schedule, Odds and Predictions After Group Stage

The knockout phase at the men's World Cup is officially set, with Saturday closing out what has been a fantastic Group Stage at this year's tournament.

Below, we'll break down the day's scores, updated tables and top highlights as we bid adieu to the Group Stage.

Schedule and Results

England 2, Panama 0

Croatia 2, Ghana 1

Colombia 0, Portugal 0

DR Congo 3, Uzbekistan 1

Algeria 3, Austria 3

Argentina 3, Jordan 1

Tables

Group J

Team	Games	Points	Goal Differential
1. Argentina*	3	9	7
2. Austria*	3	4	0
3. Algeria*	3	4	-2
4. Jordan	3	0	-5

Group K

Team	Games	Points	Goal Differential
1. Colombia*	3	7	3
2. Portugal*	3	6	5
3. DR Congo*	3	4	+1
4. Uzbekistan	3	0	-9

Group L

Team	Games	Points	Goal Differential
1. England*	3	7	+4
2. Croatia*	3	6	0
3. Ghana*	3	4	0
4. Panama	3	0	-4

*clinched berth in knockout phase

Recaps

Austria and Algeria Both Advance After a Wild Finish

Both Austria and Algeria only needed a draw to move on to the Round of 32. So naturally, both countries played it safe and... scored three goals apiece.

Wait, what?

In a thrilling, back-and-forth matchup, the two countries drew 3-3, officially eliminating Iran from Round of 32 contention in the process.

Twice, Austria took leads on Algeria, and twice the match was equalized.

But things got weird late.

After about 15 minutes of both teams clearly taking their feet off the proverbial gas pedal and kicking the ball around their respective backlines, seemingly happy with a draw, Algeria scored out of nowhere in stoppage time.

Iran rejoiced! Austria despaired!

Ah, but the drama didn't end there. Just a little over two minutes later, Austria equalized, sending Iranian fans into a state of shock once again:

And so Austria will finish second in Group J and face Spain in the Round of 32, while Algeria finished third and will take on Switzerland. And Iran will head home, left to lament a bizarre few minutes of stoppage time.

Lionel Messi Scores Again, Argentina Cruise

Just the GOAT doing GOAT things.

Lionel Messi became the first player in World Cup history to score a goal in seven straight matches, putting away a second-half free kick in Argentina's comfortable 3-1 win over Jordan.

Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez added goals for Argentina, who finished off a dominant Group Stage with a third win.

Mousa Al-Tamari scored Jordan's lone goal.

Argentina will face Cabo Verde in the Round of 32.

Colombia Win Group K After Breathless Draw vs. Portugal

Sometimes, you don't need goals for a footy match to still be absolutely brilliant. Colombia's scoreless draw against Portugal is a great example.

Despite no goals, the two powerhouses played an open and exciting game of football on Saturday that resulted in Colombia finishing atop Group K.

And the margin between the two team was about the width of a toenail, according to VAR, after it disallowed Davinson Sánchez's would-be winner in second-half stoppage time.

But this was the sort of performance that should give Colombia confidence going forward. They held 55 percent of possession, were better in xG (1.63-0.69), outshot Portugal 24-13 (6-2 on goal) and had five corners to just two for the Portuguese.

Colombia is for real, and a matchup against Ghana awaits in the Round of 32. Portugal, meanwhile, will face Croatia.

DR Congo are off to the Knockout Phase

DR Congo's first-ever win at the World Cup also secured its place in the Round of 32.

The African nation defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 on Saturday to move onto the knockout phase, where England awaits.

Yoane Wissa's brace and Fiston Mayele's 78th-minute goal advanced DR Congo.

Eldor Shomurodov scored Uzbekistan's second goal of the tournament, but it wasn't enough to hold off DR Congo.

That's now nine African nations that have qualified for the Round of 32. The tournament of Africa continues.

England Secure Top Spot in Group L

For 45 minutes, it looked as though England might give away the top spot in Group L, with Panama bogging them down.

But second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane ensured that England didn't falter in a 2-0 victory over Panama.

England's opponent for the Round of 32 is yet to be decided, though either Senegal or DR Congo are the two most likely candidates, depending on the remainder of Saturday's games.

Croatia Top Ghana to Take Second Spot in Group L

Both Croatia and Ghana were gunning for at least the No. 2 spot in Group L on Saturday, and perhaps the top spot depending on England's result. Ultimately, Croatia prevailed.

Goals from Petar Sucic and Nikola Vlasic gave Croatia a 2-1 victory on Saturday, setting up a Round of 32 matchup against the Group K runner-up (either Colombia or Portugal).

Derrick Luckassen's goal in the 73rd minute pulled Ghana even, but Vlasic answered back in the 83rd minute to put Croatia ahead for good.

Ghana will now face the Group K winner in the Round of 32, either Colombia or Portugal.