FIFA World Cup group stage concludes with six matc...

By Priya Nair — 27 June 2026 — 4 min read

Six Group Stage Matches Scheduled

The FIFA World Cup group stage is set to conclude today with six matches, determining the final teams advancing to the Round of 32. Several prominent teams, including England and Argentina, are aiming to maintain perfect records, while other nations like Croatia, Ghana, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan are still vying for qualification.

The day’s schedule includes a series of simultaneous kick-offs across various stadiums in the United States. The early matches at 5 p.m. EDT feature Panama against England at New York New Jersey Stadium and Croatia versus Ghana at Philadelphia Stadium. Later, at 7:30 p.m. EDT, Colombia will face Portugal at Miami Stadium, and DR Congo will play Uzbekistan at Atlanta Stadium.

The evening concludes with two matches kicking off at 9 p.m. CDT: Jordan versus Argentina at Dallas Stadium and Algeria against Austria at Kansas City Stadium.

Key Match Previews and Predictions

In the match between Panama and England, England is considered a strong favourite. Their previous encounter at the Russia 2018 World Cup saw England secure a 6-1 victory, their largest win in the tournament’s history. Simulations suggest England has a 78.5 percent chance of winning, while Panama has an 8.9 percent chance of their first World Cup victory.

The game between Croatia and Ghana marks their first-ever meeting. Despite Ghana being a point ahead in Group L, Croatia is favoured to win, with a 56.3 percent chance in pre-match simulations. Ghana’s chances of victory are rated at 17.6 percent.

Colombia and Portugal will also meet for the first time in a World Cup match. Portugal is slightly favoured, with a 51.6 percent chance of winning, while Colombia has a 23.9 percent chance. A draw, with a 25.2 percent probability, would be sufficient for Colombia to secure the top spot in Group K.

For DR Congo against Uzbekistan, DR Congo is given the edge with a 48.9 percent chance of winning. Both teams are seeking a spot in the knockout stage, with DR Congo also aiming for their first World Cup victory. Uzbekistan has a 26.8 percent chance of winning, and a draw is rated at 24.3 percent.

The match between Algeria and Austria is expected to be a close contest. Their only previous World Cup meeting in 1982 saw Austria win 2-0. A draw is the most likely outcome at 42.1 percent, with Austria having a 31.2 percent chance of winning and Algeria a 26.7 percent chance.

Argentina, with Lionel Messi starting from the substitutes’ bench, is heavily favoured against Jordan. Simulations indicate a 77.9 percent chance of victory for the reigning world champions, while Jordan, already eliminated, has an 8.8 percent chance of an upset.

Teams Already Qualified and Other Developments

As of June 27, several teams have already secured their places in the Round of 32. Confirmed group winners include Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, and Argentina. Confirmed group runners-up are South Africa, Canada, Morocco, Australia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Egypt, Cape Verde, and Norway.

Teams that have qualified with their group position yet to be decided include Colombia, Portugal, England, and Ghana. The best third-placed teams confirmed so far are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Sweden, Paraguay, and Senegal.

Cape Verde has made history by reaching the knockout stage in their first World Cup appearance, becoming the smallest country by population to do so. They finished second in Group H and are scheduled to face defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32 in Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 3.

Meanwhile, Iran’s qualification hopes for the Round of 32 are still active but depend on other results. Their 1-1 draw with Egypt, after a dramatic disallowed stoppage-time goal, leaves them third in Group G. For Iran to progress as one of the best third-placed teams, specific scenarios must unfold today, such as Croatia being defeated by Ghana or DR Congo failing to beat Uzbekistan by a significant margin.