The Black Stars of Ghana lost the last Group L 2026 FIFA World Cup match 1-2 to Croatia, and the defeat means dropping to third place with four points, yet still qualifying for the Round of 32 as the second best third‑placed teams.
Croatia secured the second automatic place with the 2-1 win over Ghana on Saturday night and they will play the winners of Group K.
The Black Stars of Ghana officially secured a place in the knockout stage even ahead of their final Group L match against Croatia, following results elsewhere in the tournament.
England secured top spot in Group L and a World Cup last 32 tie against a third-placed team with a 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday.
Goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane ensured the Three Lions finished on seven points, ahead of Croatia in second on six.
Thomas Tuchel's men now face a wait to discover who they will play in the first knockout round on Wednesday at 17:00 BST.
England made a winning start to the tournament by beating Croatia 4-2, before being held to a goalless draw by Ghana on Tuesday.
Ghana, who have collected four points from the opening two matches, advanced to the Round of 32, marking their first appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010.
The qualification was sealed on Friday after results in Group H altered the threshold required to advance, ensuring that teams with four points are mathematically certain of reaching the next phase under FIFA's newly expanded 48-team format.
World Cup 2026 bracket and knockout fixtures - who's facing who in the last 32 and route to final
Last 32 ties - confirmed teams in bold
Sunday June 28
Match 73: South Africa vs Canada (Los Angeles, USA)
Monday June 29
Match 76: Brazil vs Japan (Houston, USA)
Match 74: Germany vs Paraguay (Foxborough, USA)
Tuesday June 30
Match 75: Netherlands vs Morocco (Guadalupe, Mexico)
Match 78: Ivory Coast vs Norway (Arlington, USA)
Match 77: France vs Sweden (New Jersey, USA)
Wednesday July 1
Match 79: Mexico vs Group C/E/F/H/I third place, (Mexico City, Mexico)
Match 80: England vs Group E/H/I/J/K third place (Atlanta, USA)
Match 82: Belgium vs Group A/E/H/I/J third place (Seattle, USA)
Thursday July 2
Match 81: USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (Santa Clara, USA)
Match 84: Spain vs Group J runners-up, (Los Angeles, USA)
Friday July 3
Match 83: Group K runners-up vs Croatia, (Toronto, Canada)
Match 85: Switzerland vs Group E/F/G/I/J third place (Vancouver, Canada)
Match 88: Australia vs Egypt (Arlington, USA)
Match 86: Argentina vs Cape Verde (Miami, USA)
Saturday July 4
Match 87: Group K winners vs Group D/E/I/J/L third place ( Kansas City, USA)
more to follow...
