Belgium, France and Spain booked their places in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage as group winners on Friday, while Cabo Verde and Senegal also secured progression in a dramatic conclusion to the latest round of group matches.
The biggest surprise of the day came in Group H, where World Cup debutants Cabo Verde reached the Round of 32 unbeaten, eliminating two-time champions Uruguay in the process.
France underlined their title credentials with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Norway in Group I. Ousmane Dembele stole the show with a stunning first-half hat-trick, while Desire Doue added the fourth as Les Bleus finished the group stage with a perfect nine points.
Despite the defeat, Norway advanced to the knockout stage as Group I runners-up and will now face Côte d’Ivoire in the Round of 32.
Senegal also progressed after thrashing Iraq 5-0 in Toronto. Needing a convincing victory to keep their hopes alive, the Lions of Teranga capitalized on an early numerical advantage before Pape Gueye netted twice in an impressive second-half display to help Senegal qualify as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
In Group H, Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 courtesy of Alex Baena’s goal to finish top of the standings without conceding a single goal in the group stage. The defeat saw Uruguay suffer a shock early exit from the tournament after managing just two points from three matches.
Cabo Verde secured the point they needed with a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia in Houston. The result was enough to send the World Cup newcomers into the knockout rounds, making the island nation of just over 530,000 people the smallest country by population ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage.
Belgium finished top of Group G after defeating New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver. Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard inspired the Red Devils before substitutes Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers sealed the comprehensive victory.
Meanwhile, Egypt and Iran played out a goalless draw in Seattle. The result saw Egypt progress to the knockout stage as Group G runners-up, while Iran’s hopes now depend on results elsewhere as they await confirmation of whether they will advance among the best third-placed teams.
France, Belgium and Spain now head into the Round of 32 as group winners, while Cabo Verde’s remarkable debut campaign continues after one of the biggest stories of the tournament so far.
