The dream of a Ronaldo vs. Messi game in Kansas City is dead, but we will have an entertaining match in the Round of 32.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is entering its decisive moments of the group stage with teams battling for a place in the knockout rounds. Under the tournament's expanded 48-team format, qualification for knockout rounds is no longer reserved just for the group winners and runners-up.

Despite Ghana qualifying for the World Cup round of 16 on Saturday, their Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz felt the expanded format was making the tournament lose "a lot of value." If the

Scotland's only hope of advancing to the World Cup knockouts is as a best-ranked third place team. But how can that happen, and how likely is it?

The World Cup group play wraps up with the last four places in the Round of 32 still up for grabs. Eight teams remain in contention as decisive matches in Groups J, K and L determine the final qualifiers.

England's next World Cup match is set to be selected by the BBC in the last-32, but how is the process decided? BBC Sport reporter Liz Conway

Algeria will take on Austria in its final game, and a win for either side will take them to six points and help them qualify as the second-placed team. If the match ends in a draw, Austria will go through due to a better goal difference, while Algeria will sit third and be in a good position to qualify as one of the eight best-placed teams.

The group stage reaches its dramatic conclusion Saturday with six matches across Groups J, K and L, and while several nations have already punched their tickets to the knockout rounds, plenty remains on the line.