World Cup 2026: Which third-place team will the United States play in the Round of 32?
US to face third-place team in World Cup Round of 32
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The brief
The United States has clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team in the Round of 32. Colombia has progressed to the last 32 after defeating DR Congo 1-0, while Croatia kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Panama.
Coverage from outlets such as The Guardian, BBC, and ESPN emphasizes the latest developments in the World Cup, including Colombia's late winner against Congo and Croatia's narrow victory over Panama. The New York Times and Yahoo Sports have also provided analysis and predictions for the USMNT's potential opponents in the knockout round.
The identity of the third-place team that the United States will face in the Round of 32 has not been determined, with several teams still vying for a spot in the knockout stage. Further updates are expected as the tournament progresses
Synthesized by headlinez.news from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 7h ago.
Quick answers
Which team did Colombia defeat to progress to the last 32?
DR Congo
Which team did Croatia defeat to keep their World Cup hopes alive?
Panama
What is the next stage for the United States in the World Cup?
The Round of 32
Coverage (23)
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Bracket: Where are teams seeded from the round of 32 and potential opponents? CBS Sports · 6h ago
- What to know about how teams qualify for the World Cup knockout round and which squads need to do what today CNN · 6h ago
- 2026 World Cup Third-Place Standings: Who's In, Who's On The Bubble FOX Sports · 6h ago
- 2026 World Cup: How teams can advance to the knockout rounds ESPN · 6h ago
- World Cup 2026: third-place table, who has qualified and who needs what? The Guardian · 6h ago
- Daniel Muñoz breaks DR Congo resistance to send Colombia into World Cup knockouts The Guardian · 15h ago
- Colombia scores late winner against Congo, England frustrated by resolute Ghana Australian Broadcasting Corporation · 15h ago
- Colombia 1-0 Congo DR: Daniel Munoz scores his second goal of the World Cup as Colombia progress to the last 32 BBC · 15h ago
- Colombia 1-0 Congo DR (Jun 23, 2026) Game Analysis ESPN · 15h ago
- Budimir rescues Croatia with winner against Panama on Modric’s landmark day The Guardian · 23h ago
- Panama vs. Croatia odds, lines, predictions: 2026 World Cup picks from proven soccer expert SportsLine · 23h ago
- Panama 0-1 Croatia: Croatia keep their World Cup hopes alive as they knock Panama out of tournament BBC · 23h ago
- Panama 0-1 Croatia (Jun 23, 2026) Game Analysis ESPN · 23h ago
- Panama v Croatia: World Cup 2026 The Guardian · 23h ago
- Which team is up 11 places and into the top 10? Re-ranking the 48 World Cup teams after day 12 The New York Times · 1d ago
- Jordan 1-2 Algeria: World Cup 2026 The Guardian · 1d ago
- From The Sports Desk: What will Messi, Mbappé and Haaland do for an encore? NBC News · 1d ago
- World Cup 2026: Here are USA's potential opponents in knockout round after clinching Group D's top spot Yahoo Sports · 1d ago
- Is the USMNT a genuine World Cup contender? We asked our experts The New York Times · 1d ago
- Team USA’s Entire World Cup Just Changed WSJ · 1d ago
- Who will the U.S. face in World Cup knockout round match in Bay Area? SFGATE · 1d ago
- 2026 World Cup Bracket, Standings: France, Norway, Argentina Advance; Where USA Stands FOX Sports · 1d ago
- World Cup 2026: Which third-place team will the United States play in the Round of 32? Yahoo Sports · 1d ago
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