The race for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is intensifying, with 10 nations now officially eliminated after the latest round of group-stage matches.
Ivory Coast secured their place in the Round of 32 with a 2-0 victory over Curaçao, ending the World Cup debutants’ campaign. Nicolas Pepe scored both goals as the African side sealed qualification while condemning the North American nation to elimination.
Curaçao joins fellow CONCACAF nations Panama and Haiti, who had already exited the tournament following earlier group-stage results.
In Europe, Scotland, Turkey and the Czech Republic have also been knocked out after failing to secure enough points to advance.
Asia has seen Qatar, Uzbekistan and Jordan eliminated, while Tunisia has become the first and only African nation so far to be officially ruled out of the competition.
With several final group matches still to be played, the battle for the remaining places in the Round of 32 continues. Six more teams are expected to be eliminated before the knockout-stage lineup is confirmed, as countries fight to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
