2026 World Cup Round of 32 matchups and schedule announced
The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 28, with 32 teams set for 16 matches across North America, followed by the Round of 16 and later rounds through July 19.
The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, and the Round of 32 bracket is now finalized. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance, joined by the eight best third-place finishers, creating 16 win-or-go-home fixtures.
Mexico, the Group A winner, will open the knockout phase against Ecuador on Tuesday in Mexico City, while South Africa, the group runner-up, meets Canada on Sunday in Los Angeles. In Group B, Switzerland faces Algeria, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, qualifying as a top third-place team, will play the United States on Wednesday in Santa Clara.
Brazil, having topped Group C, travels to Houston to meet Japan on Monday, and Morocco, the group’s second-placed side, faces the Netherlands in Monterrey. The United States, winners of Group D, host Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, while Australia, the group’s runner-up, plays Egypt in Dallas on July 3.
Germany, Group E champions, will meet Paraguay in Boston, and Ivory Coast, the group’s second-placed team, faces Norway in Arlington. The Netherlands, winners of Group F, play Morocco in Monterrey, and Sweden, a best third-place finisher, meets France in New Jersey.
Belgium, Group G winners, travel to Seattle to face Senegal, while Egypt, the group’s runner-up, meets Australia in Dallas. Spain, top of Group H, will play Austria in Los Angeles, and Cape Verde, the group’s second-placed side, faces Argentina in Miami.
France, Group I champions, host Sweden in New Jersey, and Norway, the runner-up, meets Ivory Coast in Dallas. Argentina, winners of Group J, will play Cape Verde in Miami, while Austria and Algeria, both advancing, face Spain and Switzerland respectively on Thursday.
Colombia, Group K winners, host Ghana in Kansas City, and Portugal, the runner-up, meets Croatia in Toronto. England, Group L champions, travel to Atlanta to face DR Congo, while Croatia, the runner-up, plays Portugal in Toronto.
All matches are scheduled in Eastern Time. The Round of 32 runs from June 28 to July 3, followed by the Round of 16 from July 4 to July 7, quarter-finals from July 9 to July 11, semifinals on July 14 and July 15, and the third-place match and final on July 18 and July 19 respectively.
