- Knockout race heats up as heavyweights like Brazil, France, England and Argentina book their spots
- Third-place lifelines keep Bosnia & Herzegovina, Paraguay, Ecuador, Sweden and Senegal in the mix
- Czech Republic, Qatar, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia among those packing their bags
We’re into the business end of the FIFA World Cup group phase and the expanded 48-team format is starting to bite. With two per group plus eight best third-placed sides marching on to the Last 32, the margins are brutal. If you like a flutter, our best football betting sites guide has you covered as the bracket takes shape.
Who’s Already Through to the Last 32
Group A: Mexico, South Africa. Group B: Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Group C: Brazil, Morocco. Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay. Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador. Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden. Group G: Belgium, Egypt. Group H: Spain, Cape Verde. Group I: France, Norway, Senegal. Group J: Argentina. Group K: Colombia, Portugal. Group L: England, Ghana.
The story so far? The big guns look locked in, while the tournament’s new safety net has rewarded canny third-placers — notably Bosnia & Herzegovina, Paraguay, Ecuador, Sweden and Senegal — who squeezed through on fine margins.
Who’s Out Already
Group A: Czech Republic. Group B: Qatar. Group C: Haiti. Group D: Turkey. Group E: Curacao. Group F: Tunisia. Group G: New Zealand. Group H: Uruguay, Saudi Arabia. Group I: Iraq. Group J: Jordan. Group K: To be confirmed. Group L: Panama.
There’s still sorting to do in places, but the road ahead is clear: survive and advance. The tournament kicked off under the ghosts of history at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, and from the quarter-finals onwards the action shifts exclusively to the USA, culminating at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. The favourites have their foot down — yet in a World Cup this sprawling, there’s always room for a dark horse to gatecrash the party.
Bio:
Football fanatic, you will often find me on the terraces at lower league matches on a Saturday afternoon. I leave the Premier League matches to the prawn sandwich brigade; grassroots football for me all the way.
Key contributions:
As the lead copywriter, it’s my job to turn my colleagues’ “messy notes” (sorry, guys!) into clear, engaging content. From bookmaker reviews to betting predictions, I make sure everything is polished, accurate, and easy to read
Personnel betting philosophy or quotes:
“Great content, like great football, is all about the fundamentals”
Latest Football News
Arsenal Turn the Screw on Guimaraes as United Mull Kone and Liverpool Eye Torres
Arsenal poised to accelerate a move for Bruno Guimaraes as Newcastle hold out for around £100m Man Utd cons...
Matt Damon Salutes The Tartan Armys Boston Takeover
Matt Damon hails Scottish fans for an “epic” Boston takeover Scotland return to a FIFA World Cu...
Boos Snubs and a SideStep Trumps Awkward World Cup Final Cameo
Boos grow louder at trophy ceremony as stadium noise jumps to 84 decibels Argentina’s Cristian Romero point...
Paredes Escapes Red as FIFA Probes World Cup Final Melee
Leandro Paredes was not sent off after the final whistle—only booked FIFA has appointed a prosecutor to inv...
