Did the new World Cup group stage format work? Was the 48-team field a success as knockout stage begins?
While powerhouse nations still dominate, the addition of 16 teams has allowed rising African and CONCACAF sides to prove they belong on the world stage
World Cup Group Stage Concludes, Knockouts Set
- FULL LIST: Countries eliminated from World Cup after group stage Punch —
- FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 | Africa bests Asia in reaching the knockout stage The Hindu —
- World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Biggest takeaways from the group stage Al Jazeera —
- All 48 World Cup 2026 teams ranked after group stage The Straits Times —
- The Best & The Rest, So Far Times Of India —