Here are the countries that could qualify for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is beginning to take shape, with several teams already establishing themselves as favourites to progress to the knockout rounds.
Although the tournament's expanded format means teams must first navigate the Round of 32, current standings and expert projections provide a clear picture of the countries most likely to remain in contention for a place in the Round of 16.
Based on performances so far, current group rankings and predictions from analysts, here are the two teams from each group that look best placed to progress.
Originally published by NotJustOk.