Overview
- Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 with Gonzalo Plata's late goal, which moved Ecuador into the last 32 as one of the eight best third‑placed teams.
- Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0 with Nicolas Pépé scoring both goals to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the nation's history.
- The Netherlands topped Group F with a 3-1 win over Tunisia, Japan and Sweden drew 1-1 to both qualify, and Australia claimed second in Group D after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay.
- The United States, having rotated most starters, lost 3-2 to Türkiye on a stoppage‑time winner but saw Christian Pulisic return from injury and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 on July 1 at Levi's Stadium.
- The expanded 48‑team format and the rule that eight best third‑placed teams advance have magnified the value of goal difference and late results, and FIFA says attendance has already surpassed the 1994 record, increasing travel and seeding implications for the knockout stage.