The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered its knockout phase following the conclusion of an exciting group stage, with FIFA confirming the Round of 32 fixtures.
The expanded tournament, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches for the first time in World Cup history, has produced thrilling contests, major upsets and outstanding performances across host nations the United States, Canada and Mexico since it kicked off on June 11.
With the group stage now complete, attention shifts to the Round of 32, where every match is a win-or-go-home encounter. Victorious teams will advance to the Round of 16, which begins on July 4, while the tournament will conclude with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Several blockbuster fixtures headline the knockout round, including Brazil against Japan, the Netherlands facing Morocco, Portugal taking on Croatia, Belgium meeting Senegal, and France battling Sweden.
One of the biggest stories from the group stage is Africa’s remarkable performance, with nine of the continent’s 10 representatives progressing to the Round of 32. South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Cape Verde and Ghana all secured places in the knockout rounds, underlining Africa’s growing strength on the global stage.
According to fixtures released by FIFA on Sunday, the Round of 32 matches are:
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, Estadio Monterrey
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 a place in the Round of 16 at stake, the race for football’s biggest prize intensifies as the remaining 32 teams battle to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
