# USA and Germany Target Flawless Group Stages; Netherlands Focus on Knockouts

*Co-hosts the United States and Germany are on the brink of perfect group stage campaigns, while the Netherlands and Japan look set to join them in the last 32 of the World Cup.*

June 26, 2026 · Sports

## At a glance

- USA and Germany aim for perfect group stage campaigns.
- Netherlands and Japan look poised to join them in the last 32.
- Brazil clinched first place in Group C with a 3-0 win over Scotland.
- Mexico secured a perfect Group A record with a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic.
- South Africa qualified for the knockouts for the first time in their history.

Co-hosts the United States and Germany will bid to complete perfect World Cup group stage campaigns on Thursday, while the Netherlands and Japan look poised to join them in the last 32.

## USA and Germany on Perfect Path

The US have clinched top spot in Group D with a game to spare after wins over Paraguay and Australia, and will try to maintain that momentum against already-eliminated Turkey in Los Angeles. Forward Christian Pulisic, who has recovered from a calf injury, urged the US to keep their foot on the accelerator. "Going into the knockout rounds will definitely feel better with a win," said Pulisic.

Germany are guaranteed to advance as winners of Group E following wins over Curacao and Ivory Coast, putting first-round exits in the two previous World Cups behind them. "It is very important that we remain modest," said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.

## Dutch and Japan Eye Knockouts

Group F remains wide open with the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden still able to finish first. In Kansas City, the Dutch face a woeful Tunisia team that have suffered successive four-goal defeats and sacked their coach after the opening game. Japan are level with the Netherlands on four points going into their clash with Sweden in Arlington.

## Other Group Developments

Brazil clinched first place in Group C on Wednesday as Vinicius Junior notched two more goals in a 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami, where Neymar made his first international appearance since October 2023. Co-hosts Mexico sailed into the last 32 with a 3-0 defeat of the Czech Republic in an ebullient Estadio Azteca to wrap up a perfect Group A record. The biggest surprise of the day was South Africa's qualification for the first time in their history as they pulled off a shock 1-0 win against South Korea to grab second place in Group A.

## Sources

- BSS

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Source: https://pulsetoday.com.bd/en/sports/usa-germany-control-dutch-eye-world-cup-knockouts