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The Thunder’s future draft pick situation could make them an NBA super dynasty

The Thunder’s future draft pick situation could make them an NBA super dynasty

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The Oklahoma City Thunder are the reigning NBA champions, and they look even better at the start of this season. OKC is coming off a year where it won 68 regular season games and then survived two Game 7s to win the first ring in Thunder history. While a young OKC team looked a little shaky in the 2025 playoffs, there was no doubt it was always the favorites entering this season as they try to become the first team to go back-to-back since Kevin Durant’s Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.

The Thunder are running away with the 2025-26 season so far as they enter the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup. OKC is 23-1 on the year, and they’re currently posting the best net-rating of all-time at +16. A year ago, the Thunder posted the second-best net rating ever at +12.8 only behind the 72-10 Chicago Bulls from 1996. There is a very real chance the Thunder break the NBA’s all-time wins record this year, set at 73-9 by the 2016 Warriors. The bigger concern for the rest of the league is that the Thunder are poised to keep getting better and better over the next few years.

OKC’s core is all in its prime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would get my MVP vote again this year, and he is firmly in his prime at age-27. Jalen Williams turns 25 years old in April, Chet Holmgren turns 24 years old in May, breakout bench scorer Ajay Mitchell is 23 years old through the end of the season, and Cason Wallace is only 22. Beyond age-curve improvement, the Thunder also have a terrifying stash of draft picks.

There’s a very real chance the Thunder land the No. 1 overall pick in the loaded 2026 draft thanks to their infamous Paul George trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Thunder own the Clippers’ unprotected draft pick, and LA currently has the third-worst record in basketball at 6-18. If the season ended today, the Clippers’ pick would have maximum 14 percent odds of landing at No. 1, which would give OKC their pick of Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and A.J. Dybantsa.

The Clippers falling off a cliff is a nightmare scenario for the rest of the NBA’s contenders with OKC in position to land another blue chip talent. The nightmare is only getting worse, because the 2026 Clippers pick is just the start of OKC’s future draft stash. Here’s every pick owned by the Thunder right now.

  • Clippers’ unprotected pick
  • Utah Jazz’s top-8 protected pick
  • Houston Rockets’ top-4 protected
  • Philadelphia 76ers’ top-4 protected pick (also top-4 protected in 2027 if it doesn’t convey)
  • Most favorable of Mavs/Sixers/Thunder

The Clippers pick is real prize here, and at the moment it can land no worse than No. 7 overall. The Utah pick is the one to watch, because right now the Jazz sit at No. 8 in the lottery standings, meaning if they drop down even one more spot the pick goes to OKC. The Thunder are also getting Philly’s pick (currently No. 18 overall) and Houston’s pick (currently No. 26). OKC is in line to get the Mavericks’ second-rounder, which should be another top-40 selection.

How did OKC land all these picks? Everyone knows about the George trade. Utah’s pick arrived via the 2021 Derrick Favors salary dump. Philly’s pick arrived for taking on Al Horford in a salary dump. The Thunder used their cap space to take on bad contracts for future picks during their tanking years, and now those picks are set to pay off in a big way.

Thunder 2027 draft pick stash

  • Pick swap with Clippers
  • Nuggets’ top-5 protected pick (also top-5 protected in 2028 and 2029 if it doesn’t convey)
  • Spurs’ top-16 protected pick (converts to two 2027 seconds if it doesn’t convey)
  • Most favorable of Pacers/Heat/Rockets/Thunder

The fact that the Thunder have a pick swap with the Clippers next year too is just unfair. The Clippers’ cap space doesn’t hit until the summer of 2027, so there’s a strong chance they might be really bad again. There’s legitimately a scenario in place where the Thunder can three-peat as champions in 2027 and land the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row. Sheesh. The Nuggets sent OKC their top-5 protected first-rounder in 2027 as part of a weird 2023 pick swap trade by Calvin Booth. Denver should be awesome again next year, but it is always only one extended Nikola Jokic injury away from disaster. Add in the Spurs’ pick and the Thunder will have three first-round picks in the 2027 NBA Draft.

Thunder 2028 draft pick stash

The Mavericks gave OKC a pick swap for 2028 back in 2024 for an extra first to help them complete the Daniel Gafford trade. At the time, the Mavs thought they were set up for a long contention window around Luka Doncic. Nico Harrison’s delusional Luka trade now suddenly put the Mavs in real danger of giving a premium pick to the Thunder if they don’t build up quickly around Cooper Flagg. The Jazz and Bucks’ unprotected second picks could be very high seconds, too.

Thunder 2029 draft pick stash

  • Hawks 2nd unprotected
  • Celtics 2nd unprotected
  • Rockets 2nd unprotected
  • Heat 2nd unprotected

The Thunder currently don’t own a surplus first-rounder in 2028-2032. I’m guessing that will change soon, but for now their second round pick stash is pretty incredible in 2029.

Thunder 2030 draft pick stash

  • Nuggets 2nd unprotected
  • Rockets 2nd unprotected
  • Heat 2nd unprotected

Thunder 2031 draft pick stash

  • Least favorable of Pelicans/Magic 2nd

Thunder 2032 draft pick stash

  • owns picks in first and second

What the Thunder’s future draft stash means for NBA’s competitive future

The Thunder had a great young team broken up by the luxury tax once before. OKC dealing James Harden to the Houston Rockets is one of the most infamous trades in league history, and it happened because the small-market Thunder decided they couldn’t afford to pay Harden alongside Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka. OKC is uniquely situated to avoid that same problem happening again under a more punitive luxury tax right now, because all these future picks will give them more chances to find contributors as they lose rotation players to bigger offers elsewhere.

Losing a player like Cason Wallace or Ajay Mitchell eventually would be a devastating blow for most franchises. If it happens in OKC, they’ll get tons of chances to find a cost-controlled replacement who can keep the machine rolling. If this Clippers pick really hits big, it’s possible that one day OKC trades one of its ‘big three’ for another massive haul of future picks, and the cycle will keep repeating itself.

Sam Presti’s genius Paul George trade built a championship team, and it still has two more draft cycles to pay off big-time once again. This is the NBA’s parity era, but one of the league’s smallest-market teams is poised to smash it. No one is going to give the Thunder another championship before they earn it, but the threat of their continued dominance is a horrifying thought for the rest of the league.

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Earlier this week, Argentina’s Lionel Messi added the new title of World Cup Goals King to his CV.

By the end of the tournament, it could be Kylian Mbappe holding that honor. Down the line, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior are young enough to get in the mix. And if everything goes right, the teenage Lamine Yamal has the time and talent to obliterate them all.

This is an amazing era for elite international goal-scorers. But maybe even more exciting, the convergence of those talents could be symbolic of a World Cup that is ushering in a new era of international competition, one that comes closer to the increasingly attack-oriented model that defines the modern club game.

Under the influence of rapidly improving data, modern soccer at the highest levels has become predicated on pressure and transition.

For sure, it’s not the aesthetic preference of every soccer critic.

Listen closely enough, and you’ll hear the cries of someone in Brazil whining that Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao rejected the Jogo Bonito in favor of a modern devotion to backpressing that proved critical in their emphatic 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday night.

But for the average neutral, it’s hard to deny how much more compelling the club game has become as a result of data that shows the benefits of a higher octane approach.

You can see this in the UEFA Champions League, where goals per game have risen from 2.65 in 2015-16 to 3.45 in 2025-26.

Or you can see it in which teams are and aren’t succeeding at the international level.

Arguably, no side has fallen further than Italy, a nation whose footballing identity is most irrationally opposed to the ongoing tactical revolution.

Similarly, teams like Ecuador and Paraguay, who rode cynical tactics to success in South American qualifying, have so far been exposed by teams with more time to build attacking chemistry.

Yes, some teams have still succeeded out of a low block. But the Ghanas and Cape Verdes of the world have only done so when they could muster at least some threat of a vertical counterattack.

And now, with many of the same managers who orchestrated that rise in attacking play now coaching at this World Cup, goals are up here as well. If the rate of roughly 3.0 goals per game continues, it would be the highest scoring edition since 17-year-old Pele and Brazil dazzled their way to their first championship in Sweden in 1958.

The greatest attacking players are also staying great longer.

At 41, Ronaldo may come with baggage, but he’s still the best finisher on his Portugal team. At 32, Harry Kane’s career is only middle-aged when it would’ve been considered in its twilight era a generation ago.

And the engrossing all-time scoring chase is only possible because Messi is still playing at age 39, and arguably better at a World Cup than he ever has before.

There’s still a lot of time for this World Cup to go sideways. The knockout stages have a way of bringing out the worst conservative instincts in coaches. Oppressive summer weather could become more of a factor as June turns to July, and as more of the kickoffs fall before sunset to appease European TV audiences.

And there’s always the danger for off-the-field controversies to grow louder once the competitive field shrinks.

But on the evidence so far, this tournament has shown that the future of the game on the field is arguably the brightest it’s ever been. And whether it’s Messi or Mbappe who finishes on top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart this summer, you get the sense neither one will stay there for all that long.

#Lionel #Messi #Kylian #Mbappe #Headline #Era #World #Cup #Scoring #Deadspin.com">Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe Headline a New Era of World Cup Scoring | Deadspin.com Earlier this week, Argentina’s Lionel Messi added the new title of World Cup Goals King to his CV.By the end of the tournament, it could be Kylian Mbappe holding that honor. Down the line, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior are young enough to get in the mix. And if everything goes right, the teenage Lamine Yamal has the time and talent to obliterate them all.This is an amazing era for elite international goal-scorers. But maybe even more exciting, the convergence of those talents could be symbolic of a World Cup that is ushering in a new era of international competition, one that comes closer to the increasingly attack-oriented model that defines the modern club game.Under the influence of rapidly improving data, modern soccer at the highest levels has become predicated on pressure and transition.For sure, it’s not the aesthetic preference of every soccer critic.Listen closely enough, and you’ll hear the cries of someone in Brazil whining that Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao rejected the Jogo Bonito in favor of a modern devotion to backpressing that proved critical in their emphatic 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday night.But for the average neutral, it’s hard to deny how much more compelling the club game has become as a result of data that shows the benefits of a higher octane approach.You can see this in the UEFA Champions League, where goals per game have risen from 2.65 in 2015-16 to 3.45 in 2025-26.Or you can see it in which teams are and aren’t succeeding at the international level.Arguably, no side has fallen further than Italy, a nation whose footballing identity is most irrationally opposed to the ongoing tactical revolution.Similarly, teams like Ecuador and Paraguay, who rode cynical tactics to success in South American qualifying, have so far been exposed by teams with more time to build attacking chemistry.Yes, some teams have still succeeded out of a low block. But the Ghanas and Cape Verdes of the world have only done so when they could muster at least some threat of a vertical counterattack.And now, with many of the same managers who orchestrated that rise in attacking play now coaching at this World Cup, goals are up here as well. If the rate of roughly 3.0 goals per game continues, it would be the highest scoring edition since 17-year-old Pele and Brazil dazzled their way to their first championship in Sweden in 1958.The greatest attacking players are also staying great longer.At 41, Ronaldo may come with baggage, but he’s still the best finisher on his Portugal team. At 32, Harry Kane’s career is only middle-aged when it would’ve been considered in its twilight era a generation ago.And the engrossing all-time scoring chase is only possible because Messi is still playing at age 39, and arguably better at a World Cup than he ever has before.There’s still a lot of time for this World Cup to go sideways. The knockout stages have a way of bringing out the worst conservative instincts in coaches. Oppressive summer weather could become more of a factor as June turns to July, and as more of the kickoffs fall before sunset to appease European TV audiences.And there’s always the danger for off-the-field controversies to grow louder once the competitive field shrinks.But on the evidence so far, this tournament has shown that the future of the game on the field is arguably the brightest it’s ever been. And whether it’s Messi or Mbappe who finishes on top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart this summer, you get the sense neither one will stay there for all that long. #Lionel #Messi #Kylian #Mbappe #Headline #Era #World #Cup #Scoring #Deadspin.com

symbolic of a World Cup that is ushering in a new era of international competition, one that comes closer to the increasingly attack-oriented model that defines the modern club game.

Under the influence of rapidly improving data, modern soccer at the highest levels has become predicated on pressure and transition.

For sure, it’s not the aesthetic preference of every soccer critic.

Listen closely enough, and you’ll hear the cries of someone in Brazil whining that Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao rejected the Jogo Bonito in favor of a modern devotion to backpressing that proved critical in their emphatic 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday night.

But for the average neutral, it’s hard to deny how much more compelling the club game has become as a result of data that shows the benefits of a higher octane approach.

You can see this in the UEFA Champions League, where goals per game have risen from 2.65 in 2015-16 to 3.45 in 2025-26.

Or you can see it in which teams are and aren’t succeeding at the international level.

Arguably, no side has fallen further than Italy, a nation whose footballing identity is most irrationally opposed to the ongoing tactical revolution.

Similarly, teams like Ecuador and Paraguay, who rode cynical tactics to success in South American qualifying, have so far been exposed by teams with more time to build attacking chemistry.

Yes, some teams have still succeeded out of a low block. But the Ghanas and Cape Verdes of the world have only done so when they could muster at least some threat of a vertical counterattack.

And now, with many of the same managers who orchestrated that rise in attacking play now coaching at this World Cup, goals are up here as well. If the rate of roughly 3.0 goals per game continues, it would be the highest scoring edition since 17-year-old Pele and Brazil dazzled their way to their first championship in Sweden in 1958.

The greatest attacking players are also staying great longer.

At 41, Ronaldo may come with baggage, but he’s still the best finisher on his Portugal team. At 32, Harry Kane’s career is only middle-aged when it would’ve been considered in its twilight era a generation ago.

And the engrossing all-time scoring chase is only possible because Messi is still playing at age 39, and arguably better at a World Cup than he ever has before.

There’s still a lot of time for this World Cup to go sideways. The knockout stages have a way of bringing out the worst conservative instincts in coaches. Oppressive summer weather could become more of a factor as June turns to July, and as more of the kickoffs fall before sunset to appease European TV audiences.

And there’s always the danger for off-the-field controversies to grow louder once the competitive field shrinks.

But on the evidence so far, this tournament has shown that the future of the game on the field is arguably the brightest it’s ever been. And whether it’s Messi or Mbappe who finishes on top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart this summer, you get the sense neither one will stay there for all that long.

#Lionel #Messi #Kylian #Mbappe #Headline #Era #World #Cup #Scoring #Deadspin.com">Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe Headline a New Era of World Cup Scoring | Deadspin.com

Earlier this week, Argentina’s Lionel Messi added the new title of World Cup Goals King to his CV.

By the end of the tournament, it could be Kylian Mbappe holding that honor. Down the line, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior are young enough to get in the mix. And if everything goes right, the teenage Lamine Yamal has the time and talent to obliterate them all.

This is an amazing era for elite international goal-scorers. But maybe even more exciting, the convergence of those talents could be symbolic of a World Cup that is ushering in a new era of international competition, one that comes closer to the increasingly attack-oriented model that defines the modern club game.

Under the influence of rapidly improving data, modern soccer at the highest levels has become predicated on pressure and transition.

For sure, it’s not the aesthetic preference of every soccer critic.

Listen closely enough, and you’ll hear the cries of someone in Brazil whining that Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao rejected the Jogo Bonito in favor of a modern devotion to backpressing that proved critical in their emphatic 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday night.

But for the average neutral, it’s hard to deny how much more compelling the club game has become as a result of data that shows the benefits of a higher octane approach.

You can see this in the UEFA Champions League, where goals per game have risen from 2.65 in 2015-16 to 3.45 in 2025-26.

Or you can see it in which teams are and aren’t succeeding at the international level.

Arguably, no side has fallen further than Italy, a nation whose footballing identity is most irrationally opposed to the ongoing tactical revolution.

Similarly, teams like Ecuador and Paraguay, who rode cynical tactics to success in South American qualifying, have so far been exposed by teams with more time to build attacking chemistry.

Yes, some teams have still succeeded out of a low block. But the Ghanas and Cape Verdes of the world have only done so when they could muster at least some threat of a vertical counterattack.

And now, with many of the same managers who orchestrated that rise in attacking play now coaching at this World Cup, goals are up here as well. If the rate of roughly 3.0 goals per game continues, it would be the highest scoring edition since 17-year-old Pele and Brazil dazzled their way to their first championship in Sweden in 1958.

The greatest attacking players are also staying great longer.

At 41, Ronaldo may come with baggage, but he’s still the best finisher on his Portugal team. At 32, Harry Kane’s career is only middle-aged when it would’ve been considered in its twilight era a generation ago.

And the engrossing all-time scoring chase is only possible because Messi is still playing at age 39, and arguably better at a World Cup than he ever has before.

There’s still a lot of time for this World Cup to go sideways. The knockout stages have a way of bringing out the worst conservative instincts in coaches. Oppressive summer weather could become more of a factor as June turns to July, and as more of the kickoffs fall before sunset to appease European TV audiences.

And there’s always the danger for off-the-field controversies to grow louder once the competitive field shrinks.

But on the evidence so far, this tournament has shown that the future of the game on the field is arguably the brightest it’s ever been. And whether it’s Messi or Mbappe who finishes on top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart this summer, you get the sense neither one will stay there for all that long.

#Lionel #Messi #Kylian #Mbappe #Headline #Era #World #Cup #Scoring #Deadspin.com

The 2026 World Cup is now officially in its second week, and some teams are starting to play their second matches of group play.

Which means some teams are already clinching spots in the knockout round.

With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams for the 2026 edition, the knockout round begins with the Round of 32, instead of the familiar Round of 16. That means that, beyond the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout portion of the tournament, the eight best third-place teams are also advancing. We are tracking the third-place standings here if you are looking to see what teams are still in the running despite sitting in third place.

As far as teams that have clinched, read on.

Mexico became the first team to book a spot in the Round of 32, thanks to Thursday night’s 1-0 win over South Korea. Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa, and when South Africa and Czechia played to a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, it opened the door for the winner of Thursday night’s match to win Group A.

After a scoreless first half, Luis Romo took advantage of a miscue from South Korea keeper Kim Seung-gyu, who collided with a teammate in the box and lost the ball, giving Romo a chance to give Mexico the lead.

Then the hero was Raúl Rangel, as Mexico’s keeper made a pair of brilliant saves in the closing stages to deny South Korea the equalizer:

El Tri are not only the winners of Group A and set to play a third-place team from Group C/E/F/H/I, but they will also stay in Mexico for the Round of 32, as that match will be held in Mexico City.

One host team became the first nation to book a spot in the Round of 32 on Thursday night, when Mexico’s win over South Korea secured Group A.

Friday, the United States joined them as the second team through to the Round of 32.

The 2-0 win over Australia guarantees that the United States will finish as one of the top two teams in Group D. And by the end of the night, the United States may be the winners of Group D, depending on how the late match between Paraguay and Türkiye finishes. If Türkiye lose or draw against Paraguay, then the United States will win Group D, and be locked into a match against a third-place team in the Round of 32.

The 2-0 win was also the USMNT’s first shutout since a 2-0 win in a friendly against Japan last September.

Update: With Paraguay winning on Friday night, the United States clinched Group D.

Germany’s 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast on Saturday clinched a spot in the knockout round as one of the top two teams out of Group E. Ivory Coast scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute on a Franck Kessié goal. They carried that lead into the second half before Deniz Undav evened it at 1 in the 68th minute. A draw looked likely before Undav managed another goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

They won Group E later in the evening when Curaçao managed a draw against Ecuador. It marked the first time Curaçao has earned a point in the World Cup. Goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves, which is the most by any goalkeeper in 90 minutes of a World Cup match since records began in 1966.

Lionel Messi made history on Monday against Austria, as his left-footed strike put the living legend atop the list of all-time goal scorers in World Cup history.

It also clinched a spot in the Round of 32 for Argentina.

With the 2-0 win – Messi added a second goal late in the contest to ice the match – Argentina is guaranteed to finish in one of the top two spots in Group J, and a visit to the knockout round awaits. Argentina could clinch the group later tonight, and a match against a third-place team, if Jordan loses or draws against Algeria in the other match in Group J today.

Update: With Jordan’s loss to Algeria, Algeria has clinched Group J.

It took a little longer than expected, due to a lengthy weather delay, but France punched their ticket to the Round of 32 with a convincing win 3-0 against Iraq in Philadelphia.

Kylian Mbappé’s first goal of the match, coming in the first half, was all France would need on this day. But following a long halftime break, Mbappé and company added two more in the second half, as the French star continued climbing the record books.

France is now guaranteed a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams out of Group I. But they cannot clinch the group until their final match of group play, when they take on Erling Haaland and Norway later this week.

Norway qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and now they are through to the Round of 32 thanks to Monday’s 3-2 win over Senegal.

Erling Haaland’s first goal of the match gave Norway a 2-0 lead, but Senegal clawed a goal back, thanks to a lovely bit of skill from Ismaïla Sarr. But Haaland scored again, a right-footed deflection after a splendid reaction and turn, giving Norway a 3-1 lead in the second half.

Norway is guaranteed to be one of the top two teams out of Group I, but the job is not done. Friday’s heavyweight clash with France will determine the winner of the group. If there is a winner of that match, that team will claim Group I. If the match ends in a draw it will be decided by tiebreakers, where at the moment France has the advantage.

Colombia’s 1-0 win over DR Congo late Tuesday clinched a spot in the Round of 32. Colombia heads to the final day of group play in Group K guaranteed to finish as one of the top two teams in the group.

Colombia can still win the group and book a spot against a third-place team in the Round of 32, with a win or a draw against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal next Saturday.

Rubén Vargas found the back of the net almost immediately after halftime, giving Switzerland a 1-0 lead over Canada.

That put the Swiss on a path to winning Group B, and a goal from Johan Manzambi in the 57th minute gave Switzerland a two-goal lead, and eventually held up to clinch both the match, and Group B, for Switzerland.

The Swiss will now get to stay in Vancouver, as they will meet a third-place team from Group E, F, G, I or J in the same stadium on July 2.

Canada began play on Tuesday needing a win or a draw against Switzerland to win Group B, but goals from Rubén Vargas and Johan Manzambi early in the second half propelled Switzerland to a 2-1 victory. Promise David found the back of the net with a lovely first-touch goal with his right foot in the 76th minute, but Canada could not complete the comeback.

Even with the loss, Canada clinched the second spot in Group B thanks to the goal differential tiebreaker against Bosnia and Herzegovina, who beat Qatar. That means Canada finishes second in the group, and they will take on the second-place team from Group A, which will be determined later Wednesday night.

Brazil booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Brazil. A pair of first-half goals from Vini Jr. gave Brazil a 2-0 lead at the halftime break, and Matheus Cunha scored in the 60th minute to provide some insurance.

In addition, Neymar came off the bench to replace Cunha in the 76th minute, for his first action of this World Cup.

The win was also enough to clinch the top spot in Group C, as Brazil’s goal differential was enough to finish above Morocco. As such, Brazil will meet the second-place team from Group F – either the Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden – in the Round of 32.

Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti was not enough to catch Brazil in Group C, but the side moves on to the Round of 32 as the second-place team in the group. They will face the winners of Group F in Monterrey on June 29.

In perhaps the biggest twist of Wednesday’s action South Africa clinched the second spot in Group A.

For the first time, South Africa is heading to the knockout round. Despite entering Wednesday’s matches sitting in fourth place in Group A, their 1-0 win over South Korea gave them a chance to advance as the second-place team in the group. Then, when Mexico beat Czechia, it locked up that second spot.

South Africa will face the second-place team from Group B in the Round of 32.

With a 2-0 win over Curaçao, Ivory Coast clinched the second spot in Group E. They will face the runner-up in Group I, which will likely come down to the massive tilt between Norway and France later this week.

Ecuador’s 2-1 win over Germany was enough for the South American side to become the first team to book a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team. The win moved Ecuador to the top of the standings among third-place teams, ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina on tiebreakers due to goal differential.

Even if the remaining third-place teams all win their matches, Ecuador will only drop to eighth among the third-place teams, enough to advance to the Round of 32.

#World #Cup #bracket #advanced #knockout">World Cup 2026 bracket: Who has advanced to the knockout round? The 2026 World Cup is now officially in its second week, and some teams are starting to play their second matches of group play.Which means some teams are already clinching spots in the knockout round.With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams for the 2026 edition, the knockout round begins with the Round of 32, instead of the familiar Round of 16. That means that, beyond the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout portion of the tournament, the eight best third-place teams are also advancing. We are tracking the third-place standings here if you are looking to see what teams are still in the running despite sitting in third place.As far as teams that have clinched, read on.Mexico became the first team to book a spot in the Round of 32, thanks to Thursday night’s 1-0 win over South Korea. Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa, and when South Africa and Czechia played to a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, it opened the door for the winner of Thursday night’s match to win Group A.After a scoreless first half, Luis Romo took advantage of a miscue from South Korea keeper Kim Seung-gyu, who collided with a teammate in the box and lost the ball, giving Romo a chance to give Mexico the lead.Then the hero was Raúl Rangel, as Mexico’s keeper made a pair of brilliant saves in the closing stages to deny South Korea the equalizer:El Tri are not only the winners of Group A and set to play a third-place team from Group C/E/F/H/I, but they will also stay in Mexico for the Round of 32, as that match will be held in Mexico City.One host team became the first nation to book a spot in the Round of 32 on Thursday night, when Mexico’s win over South Korea secured Group A.Friday, the United States joined them as the second team through to the Round of 32.The 2-0 win over Australia guarantees that the United States will finish as one of the top two teams in Group D. And by the end of the night, the United States may be the winners of Group D, depending on how the late match between Paraguay and Türkiye finishes. If Türkiye lose or draw against Paraguay, then the United States will win Group D, and be locked into a match against a third-place team in the Round of 32.The 2-0 win was also the USMNT’s first shutout since a 2-0 win in a friendly against Japan last September.Update: With Paraguay winning on Friday night, the United States clinched Group D.Germany’s 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast on Saturday clinched a spot in the knockout round as one of the top two teams out of Group E. Ivory Coast scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute on a Franck Kessié goal. They carried that lead into the second half before Deniz Undav evened it at 1 in the 68th minute. A draw looked likely before Undav managed another goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.They won Group E later in the evening when Curaçao managed a draw against Ecuador. It marked the first time Curaçao has earned a point in the World Cup. Goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves, which is the most by any goalkeeper in 90 minutes of a World Cup match since records began in 1966.Lionel Messi made history on Monday against Austria, as his left-footed strike put the living legend atop the list of all-time goal scorers in World Cup history.It also clinched a spot in the Round of 32 for Argentina.With the 2-0 win – Messi added a second goal late in the contest to ice the match – Argentina is guaranteed to finish in one of the top two spots in Group J, and a visit to the knockout round awaits. Argentina could clinch the group later tonight, and a match against a third-place team, if Jordan loses or draws against Algeria in the other match in Group J today.Update: With Jordan’s loss to Algeria, Algeria has clinched Group J.It took a little longer than expected, due to a lengthy weather delay, but France punched their ticket to the Round of 32 with a convincing win 3-0 against Iraq in Philadelphia.Kylian Mbappé’s first goal of the match, coming in the first half, was all France would need on this day. But following a long halftime break, Mbappé and company added two more in the second half, as the French star continued climbing the record books.France is now guaranteed a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams out of Group I. But they cannot clinch the group until their final match of group play, when they take on Erling Haaland and Norway later this week.Norway qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and now they are through to the Round of 32 thanks to Monday’s 3-2 win over Senegal.Erling Haaland’s first goal of the match gave Norway a 2-0 lead, but Senegal clawed a goal back, thanks to a lovely bit of skill from Ismaïla Sarr. But Haaland scored again, a right-footed deflection after a splendid reaction and turn, giving Norway a 3-1 lead in the second half.Norway is guaranteed to be one of the top two teams out of Group I, but the job is not done. Friday’s heavyweight clash with France will determine the winner of the group. If there is a winner of that match, that team will claim Group I. If the match ends in a draw it will be decided by tiebreakers, where at the moment France has the advantage.Colombia’s 1-0 win over DR Congo late Tuesday clinched a spot in the Round of 32. Colombia heads to the final day of group play in Group K guaranteed to finish as one of the top two teams in the group.Colombia can still win the group and book a spot against a third-place team in the Round of 32, with a win or a draw against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal next Saturday.Rubén Vargas found the back of the net almost immediately after halftime, giving Switzerland a 1-0 lead over Canada.That put the Swiss on a path to winning Group B, and a goal from Johan Manzambi in the 57th minute gave Switzerland a two-goal lead, and eventually held up to clinch both the match, and Group B, for Switzerland.The Swiss will now get to stay in Vancouver, as they will meet a third-place team from Group E, F, G, I or J in the same stadium on July 2.Canada began play on Tuesday needing a win or a draw against Switzerland to win Group B, but goals from Rubén Vargas and Johan Manzambi early in the second half propelled Switzerland to a 2-1 victory. Promise David found the back of the net with a lovely first-touch goal with his right foot in the 76th minute, but Canada could not complete the comeback.Even with the loss, Canada clinched the second spot in Group B thanks to the goal differential tiebreaker against Bosnia and Herzegovina, who beat Qatar. That means Canada finishes second in the group, and they will take on the second-place team from Group A, which will be determined later Wednesday night.Brazil booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Brazil. A pair of first-half goals from Vini Jr. gave Brazil a 2-0 lead at the halftime break, and Matheus Cunha scored in the 60th minute to provide some insurance.In addition, Neymar came off the bench to replace Cunha in the 76th minute, for his first action of this World Cup.The win was also enough to clinch the top spot in Group C, as Brazil’s goal differential was enough to finish above Morocco. As such, Brazil will meet the second-place team from Group F – either the Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden – in the Round of 32.Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti was not enough to catch Brazil in Group C, but the side moves on to the Round of 32 as the second-place team in the group. They will face the winners of Group F in Monterrey on June 29.In perhaps the biggest twist of Wednesday’s action South Africa clinched the second spot in Group A.For the first time, South Africa is heading to the knockout round. Despite entering Wednesday’s matches sitting in fourth place in Group A, their 1-0 win over South Korea gave them a chance to advance as the second-place team in the group. Then, when Mexico beat Czechia, it locked up that second spot.South Africa will face the second-place team from Group B in the Round of 32.With a 2-0 win over Curaçao, Ivory Coast clinched the second spot in Group E. They will face the runner-up in Group I, which will likely come down to the massive tilt between Norway and France later this week.Ecuador’s 2-1 win over Germany was enough for the South American side to become the first team to book a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team. The win moved Ecuador to the top of the standings among third-place teams, ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina on tiebreakers due to goal differential.Even if the remaining third-place teams all win their matches, Ecuador will only drop to eighth among the third-place teams, enough to advance to the Round of 32. #World #Cup #bracket #advanced #knockout

Germany’s Leroy Sane opened the scoring within two minutes in its Group E FIFA World Cup encounter at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Thursday.

Sane’s goal was recorded at 1 minute and 49 seconds when he slotted home from the edge of the box after a rapid start from Germany. This was Sane’s first-ever World Cup goal.

This was Germany’s second-fastest goal in a World Cup since Ernest Lehner’s strike in 25 seconds in the 1934 third-place playoff game against Austria.

Ecuador vs Germany — LIVE BLOG

There was a VAR check in the build-up when Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Pedro Vite’s face with a high boot, but the onfield decision was upheld.

Published on Jun 26, 2026

#Leroy #Sane #scores #Germanys #secondfastest #World #Cup #goal #Ecuador">Leroy Sane scores Germany’s second-fastest World Cup goal vs Ecuador Germany’s Leroy Sane opened the scoring within two minutes in its Group E FIFA World Cup encounter at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Thursday.Sane’s goal was recorded at 1 minute and 49 seconds when he slotted home from the edge of the box after a rapid start from Germany. This was Sane’s first-ever World Cup goal.This was Germany’s second-fastest goal in a World Cup since Ernest Lehner’s strike in 25 seconds in the 1934 third-place playoff game against Austria.Ecuador vs Germany — LIVE BLOGThere was a VAR check in the build-up when Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Pedro Vite’s face with a high boot, but the onfield decision was upheld.Published on Jun 26, 2026 #Leroy #Sane #scores #Germanys #secondfastest #World #Cup #goal #Ecuador

LIVE BLOG

There was a VAR check in the build-up when Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Pedro Vite’s face with a high boot, but the onfield decision was upheld.

Published on Jun 26, 2026

#Leroy #Sane #scores #Germanys #secondfastest #World #Cup #goal #Ecuador">Leroy Sane scores Germany’s second-fastest World Cup goal vs Ecuador

Germany’s Leroy Sane opened the scoring within two minutes in its Group E FIFA World Cup encounter at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Thursday.

Sane’s goal was recorded at 1 minute and 49 seconds when he slotted home from the edge of the box after a rapid start from Germany. This was Sane’s first-ever World Cup goal.

This was Germany’s second-fastest goal in a World Cup since Ernest Lehner’s strike in 25 seconds in the 1934 third-place playoff game against Austria.

Ecuador vs Germany — LIVE BLOG

There was a VAR check in the build-up when Aleksandar Pavlovic caught Pedro Vite’s face with a high boot, but the onfield decision was upheld.

Published on Jun 26, 2026

#Leroy #Sane #scores #Germanys #secondfastest #World #Cup #goal #Ecuador

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