The knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are now set following the completion of an eventful group phase that produced major upsets, standout performances and several surprise qualifiers.
This edition of the tournament, hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico, marks the first World Cup to be staged across three countries and also introduces an expanded format featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.
Since the competition began on June 11, football fans across North America have watched teams battle through the group stage in pursuit of global football’s biggest prize.
Attention now shifts to the Round of 32, where the margin for error disappears. Unlike the group phase, defeat means elimination, while winners move into the Round of 16, scheduled to start on July 4. The tournament will conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Several standout ties are expected to attract attention, including clashes involving Brazil, France, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands.
READ ALSO:
- 2Baba Dismisses Reconciliation Rumours With Annie Over Viral Dance Video
- Peller: God Used My Prison Stay To Save Me From Sam Larry’s Crash
- NBA Election Worst Ever, Voting Portal Crashed Within 30 minutes – Akinboro Olumuyiwa
- ICPC Interrogates Gbajabiamila Over PFIPC Controversy
- Super Eagles Slip To Fourth In Africa In Latest FIFA Rankings
Africa also recorded an impressive showing, with nine representatives advancing into the knockout rounds — South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Cape Verde and Ghana.
Confirmed Round Of 32 Fixtures
- South Africa vs Canada — June 28, Los Angeles Stadium
- Brazil vs Japan — June 29, Houston Stadium
- Germany vs Paraguay — June 29, Boston Stadium
- Netherlands vs Morocco — June 29, Monterrey Stadium
- Ivory Coast vs Norway — June 30, Dallas Stadium
- France vs Sweden — June 30, New York/New Jersey Stadium
- Mexico vs Ecuador — June 30, Mexico City Stadium
- England vs DR Congo — July 1, Atlanta Stadium
- Belgium vs Senegal — July 1, Seattle Stadium
- United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina — July 1, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
- Spain vs Austria — July 2, Los Angeles Stadium
- Portugal vs Croatia — July 2, Toronto Stadium
- Switzerland vs Algeria — July 2, BC Place, Vancouver
- Australia vs Egypt — July 3, Dallas Stadium
- Argentina vs Cape Verde — July 3, Miami Stadium
- Colombia vs Ghana — July 3, Kansas City Stadium
With places in the Round of 16 on the line, the tournament enters its most intense phase as teams continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.