Which teams are out of World Cup 2026 after group stage? | OneFootball

Some big surprises as 16 nations head home early from expanded tournament

The World Cup group stage is now officially over, with 16 of the 48 qualified teams exiting before the first knockout phase.

Which teams are out of World Cup 2026 after group stage?

The first team whose elimination from the 2026 World Cup was officially confirmed was Group C minnows Haiti.

They were quickly followed somewhat surprisingly by profligate Turkey in Group D and then Tunisia in Group F, who could not save themselves by sacking head coach Sabri Lamouchi after only one game and appointing Herve Renard.

Jordan’s World Cup debut will end at the group stage after three losses in Group J, along with fellow first-timers Curacao - who at least picked up a point in Group E - and Uzbekistan, who sat at the foot of a tough Group K.

Going home early: Uruguay are arguably the biggest casualties of the 2026 World Cup group stage

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Panama’s exit in Group L was confirmed before they lost to England. Czech Republic are also going home after finishing bottom of Group A, while South Korea’s three points in third place was ultimately not enough to move on.

Qatar’s fate in Group B was sealed with a 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, having earlier in the tournament given themselves hope with a last-gasp equaliser against Switzerland.

Iraq’s journey in a formidable Group I ended with a 5-0 thrashing by Senegal. Arguably the biggest team to exit early is Uruguay, who lost 1–0 to Spain and finished behind surprise package Cape Verde. Saudi Arabia finished bottom of Group H.

Iran eventually finished just outside the top eight third-place teams, while fellow Group G side New Zealand are also out. Steve Clarke resigned as head coach after Scotland’s chances of advancing from third position in Group C were ended.