The road to World Cup glory is becoming clearer as the first confirmed Round of 32 fixtures of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup begin to take shape.
With the group stage entering its final stretch, several nations have already secured their places in the knockout rounds, while others continue to wait anxiously to learn whether they will progress either as group winners, runners-up or among the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
The expanded 48-team format has created fresh storylines, producing a knockout bracket where global heavyweights will collide with ambitious newcomers eager to extend their remarkable journeys.
Perhaps no fixture better captures that contrast than defending champions Argentina’s meeting with Cape Verde.
Cape Verde’s historic adventure continues
Few expected Cape Verde to survive a group containing Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia before the tournament began.
Yet the Blue Sharks defied expectations, holding each of their three opponents to qualify unbeaten in their first-ever World Cup appearance. Their three draws were enough to secure second place in Group H, making the island nation the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage.
The reward is daunting. Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who wrapped up top spot in Group J after just two matches, await in Miami. The defending champions have looked every inch the favourites, with Messi already leading the Golden Boot race after scoring five goals during the group stage.
Brazil handed familiar Asian challenge
Brazil will continue their pursuit of a sixth World Cup title against Japan after Carlo Ancelotti’s side edged Morocco to top Group C on goal difference.
The Samurai Blue secured second place in Group F following a disciplined draw against Sweden, setting up an intriguing meeting with the South American giants.
There is recent history between the two nations after Japan defeated Brazil 3-2 in an international friendly last October, although World Cup knockout football presents an entirely different challenge.
France and Netherlands continue impressive campaigns
France have arguably been the tournament’s standout performers.
Didier Deschamps’ side swept through Group I with three victories, scoring 10 goals while conceding just twice. Kylian Mbappé has already registered four goals and two assists, while Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise have combined to spearhead one of the competition’s most potent attacks.
Their reward is a Round of 32 clash against Sweden, who progressed as one of the best third-placed teams after finishing behind the Netherlands and Japan in Group F.
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The Dutch, meanwhile, will face Morocco in one of the most evenly balanced fixtures of the round.
Ronald Koeman’s side topped Group F with an unbeaten record, while Morocco finished second behind Brazil only on goal difference. The contest also carries added intrigue, with several Moroccan internationals, including Sofyan Amrabat, Noussair Mazraoui and Anass Salah-Eddine, all born in the Netherlands.
Hosts continue their dream
Host nation United States finished top of Group D despite suffering a dramatic final-day defeat to Türkiye and will now meet Bosnia and Herzegovina in San Francisco.
Canada also remain in the tournament despite finishing runners-up in Group B following defeat to Switzerland. Jesse Marsch’s side now face South Africa, who recovered from an opening loss to Mexico to reach the knockout rounds.
Neither Canada nor South Africa has ever won a World Cup knockout match, guaranteeing a historic breakthrough for one of the two nations.
Germany and Côte d’Ivoire set for tricky assignments
Germany’s inconsistent group-stage campaign still proved enough to secure top spot in Group E, earning Julian Nagelsmann’s side a meeting with Paraguay in Boston.
Elsewhere, Côte d’Ivoire will take on Norway in Dallas after both nations ended lengthy waits to return to the World Cup knockout rounds.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions have reached the last 32 for the first time, while Norway are appearing beyond the group stage for the first time since France 1998.
Confirmed Round of 32 fixtures
- South Africa vs Canada
- Brazil vs Japan
- Germany vs Paraguay
- Netherlands vs Morocco
- Côte d’Ivoire vs Norway
- United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
- France vs Sweden
- Argentina vs Cape Verde
Several Round of 32 places remain to be decided as the final group-stage matches conclude, with the expanded tournament ensuring suspense remains until the final whistle.
