The first week of World Cup 2026 has delivered thrills, spills and no shortage of drama.
The tournament in North America is now into the second round of group stage fixtures and the knock-out rounds begin to loom large – with co-hosts Mexico the first team to secure their spot.
At previous World Cups, half the teams would be heading home once the groups were wrapped up but there are more opportunities to progress in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
While England are expected to finish top of the pile in Group L, Scotland still have plenty of work to do in Group C to achieve their dream of reaching the knock-out stages for the first time.
But how many places are there in the next round?
Radio Times brings you the estimated number of points required to qualify for the round of 32 at World Cup 2026.
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How many teams go through to the next round at World Cup 2026?
A staggering 36 teams will advance from the World Cup 2026 group stages.
The tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States is the first since the expansion to 48 nations – 12 more than four years ago – and includes an extra round of knock-out games as a result.
The 12 group winners, 12 group runners-up, and eight best third-placed teams will all progress to the round of 32, which is a new addition at this summer’s World Cup.
Finishing outside the top two in the group stages is no longer fatal but not all sides that bag third spot will make it through to the knock-outs.
Instead, the third-place teams will be ranked in order of points earned during the group stages, with the top eight progressing and four heading home.
The tie-breakers are goal difference, then goals scored, then team conduct (yellow and red cards), and finally FIFA ranking.
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Authors
Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.
