2026 World Cup Knockout Stage Confirmed as Round of 32 Fixtures Are Unveiled


 


By Abdulahi Musa 


The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now set following the conclusion of the group phase, with 32 nations advancing to compete for football's biggest prize. The Round of 32, introduced as part of the tournament's expanded 48-team format, will be played from June 28 to July 3 across host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 


Some of the standout fixtures include:


South Africa vs Canada


Brazil vs Japan


Germany vs Paraguay


Netherlands vs Morocco


Ivory Coast vs Norway


France vs Sweden


Mexico vs Ecuador


England vs DR Congo


Belgium vs Senegal


United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina


Spain vs Austria


Portugal vs Croatia


Switzerland vs Algeria


Australia vs Egypt


Argentina vs Cape Verde


Colombia vs Ghana 



The matches will be staged in several World Cup venues, including stadiums in Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Miami, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Mexico City, and other host cities across the three co-host nations. 


With traditional powerhouses such as Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, England and Belgium still in contention, the knockout stage also features surprise qualifiers including South Africa, Cape Verde, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and DR Congo, promising an exciting battle for a place in the Round of 16. 


The winners of the Round of 32 ties will progress to the Round of 16, which begins on July 4, while the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at the New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium). 

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