Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, with Argentina defeating Jordan 3-1 and Austria and Algeria playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the final matches of Match Day 17.
In other matches of the day, England beat Panama 2-0, Croatia registered a 2-1 victory over Ghana and Congo DR beat Uzbekistan 3-1. Portugal played a goalless draw with Colombia.
With this, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-placed teams have advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Mexico and South Africa progressed from Group A, Switzerland and Canada from Group B, Brazil and Morocco from Group C, and the US and Australia from Group D. Likewise, Germany and Ivory Coast advanced from Group E, the Netherlands and Japan from Group F, Belgium and Egypt from Group G, and Spain and Cape Verde from Group H.
France and Norway moved into the Round of 32 from Group I, Argentina and Austria from Group J, Colombia and Portugal from Group K, and England and Croatia from Group L.
Meanwhile, Congo DR, Sweden, Ghana, Ecuador, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Algeria, Paraguay, and Senegal have advanced to the knockout stage as the eight best third-placed teams.
Round of 32 Fixtures
| Match Date (Nepal) | Matchup | Venue / Location | Kick-off Time (NST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon., June 29 | South Africa Vs Canada | Los Angeles Stadium | 12:45 AM |
| Brazil Vs Japan | Houston Stadium | 10:45 PM | |
| Tue., June 30 | Germany Vs Paraguay | Boston Stadium | 2:15 AM |
| Netherlands Vs Morocco | Monterrey Stadium | 6:45 AM | |
| Ivory Coast Vs Norway | Dallas Stadium | 10:45 PM | |
| Wed., July 1 | France Vs Sweden | NY/NJ Stadium | 2:45 AM |
| Mexico Vs Ecuador | Mexico City Stadium | 6:45 AM | |
| England Vs DR Congo | Atlanta Stadium | 9:45 PM | |
| Thu., July 2 | Belgium Vs Senegal | Seattle Stadium | 1:45 AM |
| USA Vs Bosnia-Herzegovina | San Francisco Bay Area | 5:45 AM | |
| Fri., July 3 | Spain Vs Austria | Los Angeles Stadium | 12:45 AM |
| Portugal Vs Croatia | Toronto Stadium | 4:45 AM | |
| Switzerland Vs Algeria | BC Place Vancouver | 8:45 AM | |
| Australia Vs Egypt | Dallas Stadium | 11:45 PM | |
| Sat., July 4 | Argentina Vs Cape Verde | Miami Stadium | 3:45 AM |
| Colombia Vs Ghana | Kansas City Stadium | 7:15 AM |
