LOS ANGELES (Kashmir English): The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 knockout stage will start today (June 28) with a match between South Africa and Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium.
The Round of 32 will run up to July 3, 2026. Because the 2026 tournament features 48 teams, this round marks the historic first time a World Cup features a Round of 32 knockout bracket.
On Monday, June 29, Brazil will play Japan at Houston Stadium; Germany will face off Paraguay at Boston Stadium; and Netherlands will clash with Morocco.
On Tuesday, June 30, there will be a match between Ivory Coast and Norway at Dallas Stadium, while France will meet Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium followed by other matches.
The Round of 32 features a single-elimination knockout format where 32 teams compete in 16 matches.
Matches tied after 90 minutes go to 30 minutes of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.
The 32 advancing teams consist of the 12 group winners, 12 group runners-up, and the 8 best third-place teams.
Under a specific set of criteria that differs slightly from a traditional tournament setup, group winners will play the eight advancing third-place teams.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Group Winners vs. Runners-Up
Four group winners will play against four group runners-up while the final eight group runners-up are paired off to play against each other.
FIFA rules dictate that third-place teams cannot play against teams they already faced in the group stage to prevent rematches before the quarterfinals.
Twenty-eight teams have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32. They include hosts Mexico, United States, and Canada.
Automatic/Runners-Up
Germany, France, Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, England, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Colombia, Australia, Japan, Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Cape Verde
Best third-place teams include Ecuador, Sweden, Paraguay, and Senegal while the final 4 spots for the Round of 32 are being determined as the last group-stage matches conclude.
