The group stage of 48 teams, and 12 teams in the World Cup will be completed on June 27, with 32 teams to be eliminated. Moving on to the first group game, the tournament switches to a win-or-go-home format that determines the path to the final on July 19. Mexico and the US have become the first teams to enter the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the tournament’s group stage continues. The largest program of the global exhibition includes 104 games involving 48 teams played in 16 host cities in three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
American fans outside the stadium before the World Cup group stage match between the US and Türkiye at SoFi Stadium.
(Kelvin Kuo/Los Angeles Times)
1. Switzerland forward Breel Embolo and Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Nikola Katic battle for the header. 2. U.S. midfielder Sebastian Berhalter gestures to fans after a 4-1 win over Paraguay. 3. Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, left, kicks the ball against Iran defender Hossein Kanaanizadegan. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The U.S. national soccer team enters the pitch before the World Cup group stage match between the U.S. and Turkiye.
(Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)
1. A U.S. fan before the World Cup group stage match between the U.S. and Turkiye. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 2. A Bosnia and Herzegovina fan before the World Cup group stage match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 3. Emre Elmas of San Francisco paints his face before the World Cup group stage match between Paraguay and Turkiye. (David M. Barreda / Los Angeles Times)
1. Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Nikola Katic, back, and Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler head the ball. 2. New Zealand forward Elijah Just, center back, celebrates with his teammates after his second goal. 3. US defender Mark McKenzie, right, and Turkish midfielder Baris Alper Yilmaz in action. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Team USA and Paraguayan team fans enter the venue to watch the first group game of the World Cup at SoFi Stadium.
(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
1. U.S. defender Chris Richards, center, kicks the ball against Paraguay forward Julio Enciso while U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams looks. 2. New Zealand defender Callan Elliot, left, and Iran midfielder Mehdi Ghayedi go after the ball. 3. Iran midfielder Aria Yousefi flies into the air after going for the ball against New Zealand midfielder Joe Bell. (Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)
Fans participate in the wave during the first half of a World Cup group stage match between Iran and New Zealand.
(Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)
1. Australia midfielder Aiden O’Neill leaps over Paraguay midfielder Matias Galarza during the first half. 2. Paraguay forward Gabriel Avalos, left, and Australia defender Aziz Behich in action. 3. Jordan forward Mahmoud al-Mardi, left, and Algeria defender Rafik Belghali in action. (David M. Barreda / Los Angeles Times)
1. Kian Souresrafil, a Orange County resident, gets his face painted with an Iranian flag before the World Cup group stage match between Iran and New Zealand. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times) 2. A Turkiye fan before the World Cup group stage match between the United States and Turkiye. (Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times) 3. A Jordan fan during the first half of a World Cup group stage match between Jordan and Algeria. (David M. Barreda / Los Angeles Times)
Team Iran and Team New Zealand enter the pitch before the World Cup group stage match.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
1. Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy fouled Iran striker Mehdi Taremi. 2. New Zealand striker Elijah Just reacts after scoring a goal. 3. Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj (1) makes a save in the second half of the World Cup group stage match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
US forward Christian Pulisic (10) reacts after US midfielder Weston McKennie (8), center back, scores in the first half of the World Cup group stage match between the US and Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12.
(Kelvin Kuo/Los Angeles Times)
