World Cup Round of 32 Set as Knockout Stage Begins

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, confirming all 32 teams advancing to the tournament's first-ever Round of 32.

In the final Group J match, Algeria and Austria played to a dramatic draw, securing qualification and eliminating Iran from the competition.

The knockout stage begins Sunday night, with teams competing in single-elimination matches for a place in the Round of 16.

The expanded 48-team World Cup has introduced a new Round of 32. The knockout field consists of the winners and runners-up from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-place finishers.

The 16 winners will advance to the Round of 16, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, the third-place playoff, and the World Cup final, scheduled for July 19.

One of the most anticipated Round of 32 matchups features defending world champion Argentina against tournament debutant Cape Verde, which reached the knockout stage for the first time. Other marquee fixtures include Brazil vs. Japan, France vs. Sweden, Portugal vs. Croatia, and England vs. DR Congo.

Teams Qualified for the Round of 32 Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Morocco, United States, Australia, Paraguay, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Cape Verde, France, Norway, Senegal, Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Colombia, Portugal, DR Congo, England, Croatia, and Ghana.

Round of 32 Schedule June 29 • South Africa vs. Canada — 1:00 a.m. • Brazil vs. Japan — 11:00 p.m. June 30 • Germany vs. Paraguay — 2:30 a.m. • Netherlands vs. Morocco — 7:00 a.m. • Ivory Coast vs. Norway — 11:00 p.m. July 1 • France vs. Sweden — 3:00 a.m. • Mexico vs. Ecuador — 7:00 a.m. • England vs. DR Congo — 10:00 p.m. July 2 • Belgium vs. Senegal — 2:00 a.m. • United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina — 6:00 a.m. July 3 • Spain vs. Austria — 1:00 a.m. • Portugal vs. Croatia — 5:00 a.m. • Switzerland vs. Algeria — 9:00 a.m. July 4 • Australia vs. Egypt — 12:00 a.m. • Argentina vs. Cape Verde — 4:00 a.m. • Colombia vs. Ghana — 7:30 a.m.

With every match now a win-or-go-home contest, a single defeat will end a nation's World Cup campaign, raising the stakes as the race for the 2026 title enters its knockout phase.