The final leg of the 2026 World Cup group stage is stacked with elimination scenarios and knockout implications. It also brings about some deep, gripping narrative currents.Brazil, which has five World Cup championships, battles Scotland, which has never made it past the opening round. The showdown between Norway and France pits Erling Haaland against Kylian Mbappé.Spain’s 18-year-old Lamine Yamal can build upon his first career goal at this tournament, and potentially knock out Uruguay in the process. Mohamed Salah can lift Egypt to a place it’s never been before, but the same goes for Alireza Beiranvand and Iran.There are now a full six matches per day from Wednesday through Saturday. It’s going to be eventful, if a bit exhausting. Thirty-two entrants move on to the single-elimination stage, which begins on Sunday afternoon. Here are the best matches to watch for, with broadcast listings for American audiences.All times listed are ET.World Cup watch guide for June 24-27MatchTime (ET)TVStreamSwitzerland vs. Canada3 p.m., WednesdayFox,TelemundoFubo (Watch Now)Scotland vs. Brazil6 p.m., WednesdayFox,TelemundoFubo (Watch Now)Japan vs. Sweden7 p.m., ThursdayFox,TelemundoFubo (Watch Now)Paraguay vs. Australia10 p.m., ThursdayFS1,UniversoFubo (Watch Now)Norway vs. France3 p.m., FridayFox,TelemundoFubo (Watch Now)Uruguay vs. Spain8 p.m., FridayFox,TelemundoFubo (Watch Now)Egypt vs. Iran11 p.m., FridayFS1,UniversoFubo (Watch Now)Panama vs. England5 p.m., SaturdayFox,TelemundoFubo (Watch Now)Colombia vs. Portugal7:30 p.m., SaturdayFox,TelemundoFubo (Watch Now)Algeria vs. Austria10 p.m., SaturdayFS1,UniversoFubo (Watch Now)Fox and Telemundo are free over the air. Fox and FS1 also stream with a Fox One subscription, while Spanish-language coverage is also available on Peacock.Wednesday, June 24Switzerland vs. CanadaVancouver will be vibrant as the Canadians take on the Swiss for Group B’s top spot.Because of its plus-6 goal differential, the host nation just needs a draw to secure a first-place finish. Jonathan David had a hat trick in last Thursday’s 6-0 thrashing of Qatar. Cyle Larin found the back of the net in each of Canada’s first two matches — his substitution strike in the 78th minute helped salvage a point against Bosnia and Herzegovina.Switzerland had inverse outcomes: an opening draw versus Qatar, then a convincing win versus Bosnia and Herzegovina. Johan Manzambi subbed on and converted both of his shot attempts in the latter match. Captain Granit Xhaka’s crew needs an outright win before a partisan crowd to conquer Group B.Ranking the best teams at the 2026 World CupTifo SportsScotland vs. BrazilBrazil, the winningest country in World Cup history, paces Group C by goal differential. Morocco is on its heels with four points as well, while Scotland is still in the mix after it bested Haiti.Star Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior tallied a pair of goals and an assist in his team’s two outings. He’s a brilliant creator and a headstrong presence. On the other end, Alisson is a stonewall goalkeeper whose crucial stoppage-time double save preserved the 1-1 draw with Morocco.Scotland is hanging around despite an even goal differential and just 44 percent possession thus far. The Tartan Army now descends from Boston to Miami in hopes of witnessing a massive upset. John McGinn produced the Scottish side’s lone goal of the tournament. In contrast to decorated Brazil, Scotland is seeing its first World Cup action since 1998.Both will watch for Morocco’s result against Haiti. That match happens at the same time in Atlanta.Thursday, June 25Japan vs. SwedenWith a one-point edge on its opponent, Japan just needs a draw to finish at least second in Group F and automatically qualify for the knockout stage. The Japanese gave us one of the tourney’s best matches to date — their 2-2 split with the Netherlands featured four second-half scores and Daichi Kamada’s dramatic equalizer in the 89th minute. Kamada and Ayase Ueda arrive at AT&T Stadium with two goals apiece.Sweden must make up ground after its 5-1 loss to the Dutch. Alexander Isak set up three of the squad’s six goals. He and the physical Viktor Gyökeres front the Swedes’ attack.Should the Netherlands endure a shocking loss or draw against struggling Tunisia, a winner in this match would line up to claim the group’s No. 1 spot.Paraguay vs. AustraliaThe United States secured Group D last Friday, but both Paraguay and Australia seek an automatic knockout bid in Santa Clara, Calif. These two lost to the USMNT and defeated Turkey, though the Socceroos have a leg up by goal differential.Australia’s Nestory Irankunda notched one of the group stage’s most exhilarating goals in the opener. He is a rising presence at just 20 years old. The Aussies’ opponent counters with 22-year-old Julio Enciso, who assisted in both contests. Paraguay and Australia overlap in defensive intensity and second-place stakes, which should make Thursday a tense affair.Friday, June 26Norway vs. FranceNo sell required here. Undefeateds Norway and France are knotted at six points atop Group I. The Norwegians boast Haaland, mechanical finisher and record-setting Premier League scorer. The French bring Mbappé, reigning World Cup Golden Boot winner who is already pressuring Lionel Messi’s newly christened all-time mark. Both have four goals through two matches.A bona fide blockbuster goes down in New England. The victor gets a far more favorable knockout matchup. Despite the top-line supernovas, this pairing is historically lopsided — Norway’s prior World Cup appearance was in 1998; France has two championships and two runner-up finishes since then.Uruguay vs. SpainIn spite of a truly shocking start, Spain can clinch Group H if it handles business in Guadalajara. And in spite of its global status, Uruguay could threaten an early exit if it loses here.The Spaniards put up consecutive clean sheets, thanks to stout defense in front of keeper Unai Simón. The attack recorded 71 percent possession from the starry likes of Yamal, Pedri and Rodri. The imaginative Yamal recorded his first World Cup goal earlier this week. Many more are sure to follow, and his precociousness makes Spain a must-watch for the rest of the tournament.Maxi Araújo paced Uruguay with three goal contributions through its two draws. His side needs to break through against a Cup favorite. If not, the Uruguayans must scoreboard watch for insurgent Cape Verde, which plays Saudi Arabia in Houston at the same time on Friday night.Egypt vs. IranImprobably, Egypt is all alone at the Group G summit. It’s the sole side with a win through two matches; Salah and his countrymen rallied from down 1-0 to a 3-1 triumph against New Zealand. The Egyptians can now earn a favorable round of 32 draw if they survive in Seattle versus Iran, which showed resilience through its two draws. Beiranvand tallied a heroic seven saves in Sunday’s 0-0 grinder with Belgium.Salah just guided his home nation to its inaugural World Cup win, which snapped a painful 92-year wait. Beiranvand hopes to anchor Iran into its first-ever knockout stage across seven tournament bids. The result of New Zealand and Belgium — kicking off simultaneously from Vancouver — looms large as well.Saturday, June 27Panama vs. EnglandWas it the pressure of captaining a title-worthy World Cup outfit? Was it the work of Nana Kwaku Bonsam, a Ghanaian priest who vowed to curse No. 9? Whatever it was, Harry Kane missed a fateful look in the 86th minute of Tuesday’s scoreless draw with Ghana.The English now need to beat Panama, the only Group L member without any points. England will be huge favorites in East Rutherford, N.J., with Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. But as we’ve seen, strange outcomes lurk around every corner of this tournament.England and Ghana both have four points, but the former leads the goal differential by one. Croatia is close with three points of its own, so the concurrent Ghana-Croatia match in Philadelphia deserves split-screen treatment.Colombia vs. PortugalIt’s Colombia’s group to lose after an inspired 1-0 victory versus DR Congo late Tuesday night. Juan Fernando Quintero came on in the second half and delivered a trickling setup for defender Daniel Muñoz. It was the second strike in as many games for Muñoz, who made his World Cup introduction in style.The Portuguese are still in a good place in Group K with a draw and a win, since the two teams below them combine for just a single point. But Portugal can swoop in for a first-place finish if it outdoes Colombia in South Florida. Cristiano Ronaldo blasted two goals in Tuesday’s 5-0 blowout of Uzbekistan. The 41-year-old attacker became the first player ever to score in six different World Cups.Algeria vs. AustriaMessi and defending champs Argentina dominated Group J, but second place is for the taking in Kansas City, Mo. After they were blanked by the Argentines earlier, both Algeria and Austria get a chance to refresh the slate — though the latter team just needs a draw due to its superior goal differential.Luca Zidane, the son of World Cup legend Zinedine, tries to mint a legacy of his own in net for Algeria. David Alaba, Austria’s captain, looks to extend his debut World Cup run. He won championships with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but the 34-year-old is finally on the sport’s biggest stage. Suffice to say, he isn’t ready to leave just yet.Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process, and do not review stories before publication.