Group play concluded at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, meaning every match is now win-or-go-home.
Teams that have advanced to the Round of 32 now know their paths to a World Cup title. Some are easier than others.
With that in mind, here are takeaways from Saturday’s slate, which featured finales in Groups J, K and L.
England avoids worst-case scenario with Group L win
England capturing Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Saturday could make a huge difference for the country, which hasn’t won a World Cup since 1966.
If England didn’t win Saturday’s match and Ghana and Croatia won the group instead, the Three Lions would’ve fallen to second or third. If they finished second, they would’ve been in a position to potentially face Spain in the Round of 16 rather than later in the tournament. La Roja is considered one of the favorites to hoist the World Cup Trophy. As of Saturday night, FIFA ranks it No. 3 in the world behind France and Argentina.
If it beats Congo DR on Wednesday (Fox/Telemundo, noon ET), England (No. 4 in FIFA rankings) will face Mexico (No. 9 in FIFA rankings) or Ecuador in the next round. Those aren’t cakewalks, but these nations aren’t as rich in soccer tradition as Spain, which won the tournament in 2010. Mexico hasn’t advanced past the Round of 16 since 1986, while Ecuador has never advanced past the Round of 16.
Croatia, meanwhile, has landed in its worst-case scenario
Croatia’s 4-2 loss to England at the beginning of the tournament stings even more now. After beating Ghana 2-1 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, it finished second in Group L.
Croatia will now face Portugal in the Round of 32 on Thursday (Fox/Telemundo, 7 p.m. ET). Portugal (No. 8 in FIFA rankings) has underperformed throughout the tournament, but if it turns it on in the next round, it could be poised to make a deep run.
Saturday represents more bad luck for Croatia (No. 13 in FIFA rankings), which has seemed doomed since it landed in Group L. The group ranked among the toughest in the World Cup, featuring three teams in the knockout round, including England and Croatia. Ghana (No. 65 in the FIFA rankings) was the third team from the pool to advance.
Croatia finished second at the quadrennial tournament in 2018 and third in 2022. It’s hard to envision it going that far this time, considering it’s facing a potential gauntlet on the road to a title.
Congo DR scores a victory for World Cup expansion
The World Cup expanded from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament, making it the largest field in the event’s history. Including more teams drew criticism, as it was feared that it would saturate the product. But moments on Saturday night showed why FIFA felt doing so was the right move.
Congo DR beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in Group K at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, advancing to the tournament’s knockout round for the first time. Its fans were elated after the country made history.
