How the 2026 World Cup stands: group-by-group tables and top scorers led by Messi
Mexico and Brazil lead with authority, Switzerland and Colombia impress and Lionel Messi tops the scoring with five goals. Here is how the tournament stands as of 25 June.
The 2026 World Cup has passed the halfway point of the group stage and is starting to take shape. With 48 teams spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada, Groups A, B and C have already played their three rounds and have their qualifiers, while the nine remaining groups (D to L) face their final matchday between 25 and 28 June with almost everything still to be decided. Here we review the group-by-group tables and the top scorers' chart.
In Group A, Mexico were a force of nature: the hosts won all three games (9 points, +6) and topped the group without conceding a single goal, rounding it off with a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic at the Azteca. They are joined in the last 16 by South Africa (4 points), who sealed second place by beating South Korea 1-0. The Koreans (3) and the Czech Republic (1) went out. Final table: 1) Mexico 9; 2) South Africa 4; 3) South Korea 3; 4) Czech Republic 1.
Group B was settled in a head-to-head: Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 to top the group on 7 points. The Canadian hosts (4) finished second on goal difference ahead of a Bosnia (4) that bowed out with a 3-1 win over Qatar but paid for their inferior record. Qatar (1) ended the group without a win. Final table: 1) Switzerland 7; 2) Canada 4; 3) Bosnia and Herzegovina 4; 4) Qatar 1.
In Group C, Brazil and Morocco finished level on 7 points, but the Selecao took top spot on goal difference (+6 to +3) after thrashing Scotland 3-0 with a Vinicius Junior brace. Morocco came from behind to win a thrilling 4-2 against Haiti to seal second. Scotland (3) and Haiti (0, with three defeats) were eliminated. Final table: 1) Brazil 7; 2) Morocco 7; 3) Scotland 3; 4) Haiti 0.
In the nine groups still to finish, the provisional leaders after two rounds are clear: in Group D it is the United States (6 points); in E, a rampant Germany (6); in F there is a tie at the top between the Netherlands and Japan (4); in G, Egypt (4) are the surprise; in H, Spain (4) lead without conceding; in I, France and Norway share the summit with perfect records (6); in J, Argentina (6) are dominant; in K, Colombia (6) lead with a perfect record ahead of Portugal (4); and in L, England and Ghana are level on 4 points. The final matchday will hand out the remaining tickets and rank the eight best third-placed teams who will complete the last-16 bracket.
In the race for the Golden Boot, Lionel Messi tops the chart with 5 goals for Argentina. Chasing him is a trio on 4 goals: Brazil's Vinicius Junior — who also has an assist — France's Kylian Mbappé and Norway's Erling Haaland. Behind them, on 3 goals, come Germany's Deniz Undav, Switzerland's Johan Manzambi, Brazil's Matheus Cunha, Morocco's Ismael Saibari and Canada's Jonathan David.
With Groups A, B and C already decided and the rest one matchday away from completion, the 2026 World Cup heads into the closing stretch of the first phase. Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, France and the United States arrive in flying form, but there are still places in the last 16 up for grabs and the fight for the best third-placed sides promises drama to the very end. We will keep updating this table as each group is settled.