World Cup group stage sets attendance mark before expanded knockouts
FIFA said the 2026 World Cup has already broken the tournament attendance record as the first 48-team group stage ended.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
The 2026 World Cup has moved into its new Round of 32 after a 72-match group stage that drew record crowds and produced a broader knockout field. FIFA said before the group phase ended that attendance had already passed the tournament’s previous record, according to Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera reported that the tournament opened June 11 in Mexico City, where Mexico beat South Africa 2-0. The group stage closed 17 days later in Dallas with Austria and Algeria drawing 3-3 in a match that finished just after midnight on June 28.
FIFA said the 2026 edition had gone beyond the all-time World Cup attendance mark of 3.6 million with three weeks still to play, Al Jazeera reported. The total also topped Qatar 2022, which drew just over 3.4 million spectators.
Europe and South America still set the pace
Al Jazeera’s Frank Dell’Apa wrote that the tournament’s traditional power centers remained strong through the group stage. France won all three of its matches, while Argentina, Brazil and Colombia each topped their groups.
Mexico also won three group games, joining France and Argentina as the only teams to finish the phase perfect, according to Al Jazeera. Ecuador advanced as a third-place team after beating Germany, while Portugal finished behind Colombia in its group.
African teams also made a strong showing, with nine of 10 reaching the knockouts, Al Jazeera reported. Morocco, a 2022 semifinalist, advanced after drawing Brazil 1-1, beating Scotland 1-0 and defeating Haiti 4-2.
Questions remain around the United States
The United States opened with a 4-1 win over Paraguay and a 2-0 victory against Australia before losing 3-2 to Turkiye, according to Al Jazeera. The defeat raised concerns about the co-host’s depth after coach Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes because of injuries and squad management.
Christian Pulisic played in two of the three U.S. group matches because of a lower leg injury, Al Jazeera reported. The team now enters the knockouts with strong home support but less certainty about its options beyond the first-choice lineup.
Messi leads the scoring race
Lionel Messi finished the group stage at the top of the Golden Boot race with six goals in three matches, according to Al Jazeera. He also broke Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record during Argentina’s group campaign.
Al Jazeera noted that Messi turned 39 during the tournament and is widely expected to be making his final World Cup appearance. The report contrasted his continued influence with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is 41 and playing for Portugal.
Expanded field brings new stories
The 48-team format gave several less-established teams a wider stage. Al Jazeera reported that Cape Verde finished second in a group with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, becoming the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockouts.
Curacao scored against Germany and drew with Ecuador, while Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo earned praise for their play after long absences from the tournament, according to Al Jazeera. Iraq, back for the first time since 1986, scored through Aymen Hussein but did not advance.
Iran left the tournament unbeaten after three draws, Al Jazeera reported, but was eliminated on the final day. The team had been based in Tijuana, Mexico, despite playing its three group matches in the United States.
Al Jazeera also reported that fans shaped the group stage across host cities, from Scotland supporters to Dutch crowds turning streets orange. Ticket costs, travel and hydration breaks remained points of frustration, but the first phase delivered full stadiums and set up the expanded knockout round.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.