The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is beginning to take shape, with several nations already confirming their places in the Round of 32 while others continue battling for qualification during the final round of group-stage matches.
The expanded 48-team tournament has introduced a brand-new Round of 32, where the top two teams from each of the 12 groups are joined by the eight best third-placed finishers.
The first confirmed Round of 32 fixtures is South Africa vs Canada, which has been locked in as a knockout clash. Other pairings already guaranteed on the schedule include Brazil vs Japan. Germany vs one of the best third-placed teams, Mexico vs a best third-placed qualifier, Switzerland vs another best third-placed team, and Argentina vs the runners-up of Group H.
Several remaining fixtures will only be confirmed once the final group-stage matches conclude. The knockout bracket promises plenty of blockbuster encounters, with traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Mexico, the United States and Switzerland already knowing they will feature in the next round.
The identity of many of their opponents, however, depends on the final standings and the ranking of the eight best third-placed teams, making the closing days of the group stage even more dramatic. The Round of 32 will be played from June 28 to July 3, with the winners progressing to the Round of 16 as the race to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy intensifies.
The Round of 32 promises some heavyweight clashes once the remaining qualification spots are decided, setting the stage for an exciting knockout phase across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Round of 32 World Cup fixtures:
June 28: South Africa vs Canada
June 29: Brazil vs Japan
June 29: Germany vs Paraguay
June 29: Netherlands vs Morocco
June 30: Ivory Coast vs Norway
June 30: France vs Sweden
June 30: Mexico vs Ecuador
July 1: England vs DR Congo
July 1: Belgium vs Senegal
July 1: United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
July 2: Spain vs Austria
July 2: Portugal vs Croatia
July 2: Switzerland vs Algeria
July 3: Australia vs Egypt
July 3: Argentina vs Cape Verde
July 3: Colombia vs Ghana
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