Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLawrence OstlereFriday 26 June 2026 12:35 BSTRelated: Scotland coach Steve Clarke fears his team 'probably going home' after Brazil World Cup lossThe 2026 World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 nations, organised into 12 groups of four teams.The knockout stages will comprise the 12 group winners, 12 runners-up, and the eight best third-placed teams.Several teams have been eliminated from the tournament after suffering defeats in both of their opening fixtures.Conversely, seven teams had already secured their spot in the knockout rounds by winning both of their initial matches - and now more have qualified following the third round of games in several of the groups.Teams that have been eliminated from the tournament are as follows: Czech Republic, Qatar, Haiti, Turkey, Curacao, Tunisia, Jordan and Panama.In fullWho has qualified for the knockout stages and which teams have been eliminated from the World Cup?Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in