Predictions
World Cup 2026 June 26: What Every Team Needs in Groups G, H and I
Three more groups reach their final round on Friday. We break down the confirmed standings in Groups G, H and I and exactly what each team needs — a win, a draw or a favour — to make the round of 32.
Friday, June 26 closes out Groups G, H and I, and by the end of the night another six places in the round of 32 picture will come into focus. Below is the confirmed standing in each group and exactly what every team needs to do — no projected scores, just the math.
In a 48-team World Cup the route through is simple to state and brutal in the details: the top two from each of the 12 groups advance automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed teams. That makes goal difference and goals scored decisive, so even sides already through keep chasing every goal. Within each group, the two final games kick off simultaneously so nobody plays knowing the other result.
Group G: Egypt one point from history
Group G is the tightest of the three. Egypt lead on four points after a landmark 3-1 win over New Zealand — their first World Cup victory since 1934 — while Iran and Belgium sit level on two, and New Zealand are bottom on one but still mathematically alive.
- Egypt (4 pts) face Iran in Seattle (11:00 PM ET). A draw or a win guarantees a top-two finish and a first knockout-stage appearance in their history. Even a defeat would likely leave them firmly in the best-third-placed race.
- Iran (2 pts) must essentially beat Egypt to be sure of going through; a draw leaves them needing the New Zealand–Belgium result to fall kindly.
- Belgium (2 pts), one of the group’s pre-tournament favourites, have drawn both games and need to beat New Zealand in Vancouver to take control of their own fate. A draw would leave them sweating on the third-placed table.
- New Zealand (1 pt) keep the faintest hopes alive only by beating Belgium and hoping the Seattle game cooperates.
Group H: Spain in control, Cape Verde chasing a debut dream
Spain have all but qualified on four points and a +4 goal difference after demolishing Saudi Arabia 4-0. Behind them, Uruguay and Cape Verde are level on two points with an identical goal difference — Uruguay sit second only on goals scored — and World Cup debutants Cape Verde are 90 minutes from a historic place in the last 32.
- Spain (4 pts) meet Uruguay in Guadalajara (8:00 PM ET). A draw or a win seals top spot; their goal difference makes elimination all but impossible regardless.
- Uruguay (2 pts) would all but guarantee second with a win or a draw against Spain. A defeat opens the door for Cape Verde to leapfrog them.
- Cape Verde (2 pts) take on bottom side Saudi Arabia in Houston and control their own destiny: a win would very likely carry the islanders into the knockouts on their tournament debut — and at worst into the third-placed scramble.
- Saudi Arabia (1 pt, -4) need to beat Cape Verde and overturn a heavy goal difference; realistically they are playing for pride.
Group I: France and Norway through, top spot up for grabs
Group I is already settled at the top: both France and Norway have qualified with perfect six-point records, and Friday’s headline meeting at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough (3:00 PM ET) is purely a fight for first place and the friendlier knockout route that can follow.
- France (6 pts, +5) top the table on goal difference, so a win or draw against Norway secures first place.
- Norway (6 pts, +4) must win to leapfrog France and top the group in what has been a golden run for Ståle Solbakken’s side.
- Senegal (0) and Iraq (0) are both already eliminated and meet in Toronto playing only for pride — a sobering early exit for Senegal’s much-fancied golden generation.
The bigger picture
By the time the late Group G games finish, the third-placed table will be all but final across the 48-team field — and several of these teams (Egypt, Belgium, Cape Verde, Iran) could yet sneak through that way even without a top-two finish. For how that race works, read our explainer on the best third-placed teams, and for the full Friday slate, times and venues see our June 26 matchday preview.
Standings and qualification scenarios are based on confirmed results and the official FIFA tournament regulations, cross-checked against Wikipedia, CBS Sports and ESPN. Kickoff times are in US Eastern Time and may be subject to change. This article contains no predicted scores.