The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded dramatically, with Algeria and Austria securing the final places in the knockout stage after an enthralling draw in Group J. Iran, meanwhile, was eliminated as the tournament now moves into the Round of 32.
The opening Round of 32 matches will kick off on Sunday night, 28 June. The expanded 48-team World Cup has introduced this knockout stage, with the winners and runners-up from each of the 12 groups joined by the eight best third-placed teams to complete the 32-team line-up.
The 16 winners from the Round of 32 will advance to the last 16 before the competition progresses to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, the third-place play-off and the final, which is scheduled for 19 July.
One of the standout fixtures of the knockout stage will see defending champions Argentina face Cape Verde, who have reached the Round of 32 in their World Cup debut. Other high-profile ties include Brazil against Japan, France versus Sweden, Portugal taking on Croatia and England meeting DR Congo.
Teams qualified for the Round of 32
Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Morocco, the United States, Australia, Paraguay, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, the 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 fixtures
29 June
- South Africa v Canada, 1:00 am
- Brazil v Japan, 11:00 pm
30 June
- Germany v Paraguay, 2:30 am
- Netherlands v Morocco, 7:00 am
- Ivory Coast v Norway, 11:00 pm
1 July
- France v Sweden, 3:00 am
- Mexico v Ecuador, 7:00 am
- England v DR Congo, 10:00 pm
2 July
- Belgium v Senegal, 2:00 am
- United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6:00 am
3 July
- Spain v Austria, 1:00 am
- Portugal v Croatia, 5:00 am
- Switzerland v Algeria, 9:00 am
4 July
- Australia v Egypt, 12:00 am
- Argentina v Cape Verde, 4:00 am
- Colombia v Ghana, 7:30 am
Background
The Round of 32 is being staged for the first time following FIFA’s expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams. Twelve group winners, 12 runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams have progressed to the knockout stage.
