The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially arrived after an exciting group stage that featured dramatic finishes, surprise qualifiers, and several powerhouse nations advancing.
With the expanded 48-team format, the Round of 32 includes the top two teams from each of the tournament’s 12 groups, along with the eight best third-place finishers. Every remaining match is now single elimination, meaning the winner advances while the loser is eliminated.
Below is the complete 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 schedule, including every matchup, kickoff time, and venue.
2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 Schedule
Sunday, June 28
South Africa vs. Canada
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: SoFi Stadium
- Location: Inglewood, California
Monday, June 29
Brazil vs. Japan
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: NRG Stadium
- Location: Houston, Texas
Germany vs. Paraguay
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Gillette Stadium
- Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts
Netherlands vs. Morocco
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Estadio BBVA
- Location: Monterrey, Mexico
Tuesday, June 30
Ivory Coast vs. Norway
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: AT&T Stadium
- Location: Arlington, Texas
France vs. Sweden
- Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: MetLife Stadium
- Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
Mexico vs. Ecuador
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Estadio Azteca
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Wednesday, July 1
England vs. Congo DR
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Belgium vs. Senegal
- Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lumen Field
- Location: Seattle, Washington
USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Levi’s Stadium
- Location: Santa Clara, California
Thursday, July 2
Spain vs. Austria
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: SoFi Stadium
- Location: Inglewood, California
Portugal vs. Croatia
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: BMO Field
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
Switzerland vs. Algeria
- Time: 11:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: BC Place
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Friday, July 3
Australia vs. Egypt
- Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: AT&T Stadium
- Location: Arlington, Texas
Argentina vs. Cape Verde
- Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
- Location: Miami Gardens, Florida
Colombia vs. Ghana
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Arrowhead Stadium
- Location: Kansas City, Missouri
How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Knockout Stage Works
The Round of 32 marks the beginning of the knockout phase, where every match is win-or-go-home. If teams are tied after 90 minutes of regulation, they will play:
- Two 15-minute periods of extra time
- If still tied, a penalty shootout determines the winner
The winners of these 16 matches will advance to the Round of 16, bringing them one step closer to lifting the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Biggest Matches to Watch
Several blockbuster matchups headline the opening round of the knockout stage:
- Brazil vs. Japan – Brazil begins its quest for another world title against a disciplined Japanese squad.
- France vs. Sweden – Two European contenders battle for a place in the Round of 16.
- USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina – The Americans look to capitalize on home support in Santa Clara.
- Portugal vs. Croatia – A marquee European showdown featuring two experienced international sides.
- Argentina vs. Cape Verde – The defending South American giants face one of the tournament’s biggest surprise teams.
- Colombia vs. Ghana – An intriguing matchup between two athletic sides with aspirations of making a deep tournament run.
Expanded World Cup Creates More Knockout Drama
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition featuring 48 teams, expanding the knockout stage from 16 teams to 32. The new format has created additional opportunities for emerging football nations while also increasing the number of high-profile elimination matches.
With every game carrying elimination stakes, fans can expect dramatic finishes, extra-time thrillers, and penalty shootouts as the world’s best national teams compete for a place in the final.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 features a compelling mix of traditional football powers, rising nations, and surprise qualifiers. From Brazil and Argentina to the United States, Canada, Morocco, and Cape Verde, the expanded tournament has produced one of the most diverse knockout fields in World Cup history.
As the knockout stage begins, every match becomes a must-win, setting the stage for unforgettable moments on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.