Mexico just became the first team to punch its ticket to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A 1-0 victory over South Korea on June 18 gave the co-hosts six points from two group matches, making their advancement mathematically certain with one game still to play.
Luis Romo scored the only goal, and it was enough to put Mexico atop Group A. Their Round of 32 match is scheduled for June 30 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, meaning the home crowd gets at least one more game to celebrate.
The first 48-team World Cup changes everything
This tournament is the first in FIFA history to feature 48 teams, a massive expansion from the 32-team format that had been standard since 1998. The new structure means more groups, more games, and a Round of 32 instead of the traditional Round of 16.
The format allows the top two teams from each group to advance, along with select third-placed finishers.
