Ecuador and Sweden Secure Knockout Berths

The knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup are beginning to take shape after a clutch of sides confirmed their places in the next round overnight.

In New Jersey, Manuel Neuer’s error helped Gonzalo Plata prod home a late winner to give Ecuador the three points they needed to qualify as one of the best third-placed sides. They had to do it the hard way, after Leroy Sane put Germany ahead in only the second minute.

Despite defeat, the Germans topped the group ahead of Ivory Coast, who ended their group campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Curacao.

In Group F, Japan and Sweden shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Dallas, in a result that sends Sweden through alongside their already-qualified opponents.

And the goals came in a rapid six-minute spell. First, Daizen Maida swept the ball home following some excellent Japan build-up, before Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga equalised for the Swedes, curling home from the edge of the box just after the hour.

Group winners the Netherlands wrapped up with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia, with Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey getting his third goal in as many games.

We also saw the conclusion of Group D, and there was a surprise 3-2 defeat for co-hosts USA, who were beaten with the last kick of the game by eliminated Turkey in Los Angeles.

The game looked to be heading for an entertaining draw after Sebastian Berhalter’s strike from distance early in the second half, but Kaan Ayhan was in the right place at the right time to stab the ball home eight minutes into injury time to ensure Turkey didn’t leave the competition pointless.

In the group’s other game, Australia confirmed their place in the last 32 with an uninspiring 0-0 draw with Paraguay, in a result that will surely send the South Americans through as well.

A point apiece suited both slides in their pursuits of the knockouts, so it was no surprise to see defences come out on top in San Francisco.

Australia are definitely through in second-place, while Paraguay sit on four points from three games, which is likely to be enough, with just a handful of group games left to play.