The World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Gets Under Way: Luxury Portugal–Croatia Clash, Messi vs. the Underdog and a Bracket Full of Surprises
The group stage is over and the biggest World Cup in history enters its first knockout round: heavyweight showdowns, hosts under pressure and smaller national teams making history.
The 2026 World Cup has changed complexion. With the group stage over, the tournament enters the round of 32, an unprecedented stage: for the first time, the 48-team format is introducing a round of 32 before the round of 16. From here on, it is all or nothing —90 minutes and, if necessary, extra time and penalties—. There are 16 matchups spread between 28 June and 4 July across the host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The matchups that feel like an early final
Portugal vs. Croatia (Thursday, BMO Field in Toronto) is the headline act: a remake of the Euro 2016 final, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric still leading their national teams. Two contenders collide far too early and one will be heading home at the first knockout hurdle.
At the iconic Estadio Azteca, Mexico host the big surprise of the group stage: Ecuador, who pulled off the upset by beating 2-1 Germany —Sané struck early, Angulo equalized and Gonzalo Plata sealed it late— to sneak in among the best third-placed teams. Host nation against giant-killers, in the most emblematic stadium on the continent.
And on Friday, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Argentina face Cabo Verde. Scaloni's side, who finished top of their group, come up against history: the African archipelago is the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout round, in their first-ever appearance after drawing with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
The underdogs still dreaming
The new format rewarded the eight best third-placed teams, and several are straight out of a fairytale. Cabo Verde —with Kevin Pina's historic goal— tops the list of surprises, but RD Congo —who face England—, Senegal —against Belgium—, Sweden —vs. France— and Ecuador themselves also made it through. On the other side, there were notable casualties: Uruguay, for example, were eliminated after losing 1-0 to Spain and missing out among the third-placed teams.
The full round of 32 bracket
- 28/6 — South Africa vs. Canada (SoFi Stadium)
- 29/6 — Brazil vs. Japan (NRG) · Germany vs. Paraguay (Gillette)
- 30/6 — Netherlands vs. Morocco (Estadio BBVA) · Ivory Coast vs. Norway (AT&T) · France vs. Sweden (MetLife)
- 1/7 — Mexico vs. Ecuador (Azteca) · England vs. RD Congo (Mercedes-Benz) · Belgium vs. Senegal (Lumen Field)
- 2/7 — USA vs. Bosnia (Levi's) · Spain vs. Austria (SoFi) · Portugal vs. Croatia (BMO Field)
- 3/7 — Switzerland vs. Algeria (BC Place) · Australia vs. Egypt (AT&T) · Argentina vs. Cabo Verde (Hard Rock)
- 4/7 — Colombia vs. Ghana (Arrowhead)
What South America is playing for
In addition to Argentina, the continent arrives with Brazil (against Japan), Colombia (who won their group and meet Ghana) and Ecuador (against Mexico). Brazil, Argentina and Colombia look best placed for the knockout phase; Ecuador want to keep making noise.
From here on there is no margin: the loser goes out. And in a 48-team World Cup, with more surprises than ever, the round of 32 promises plenty.
