World Cup 2026 knockout picture clears as football giants progress

The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is beginning to take shape, with football powerhouses Brazil, Germany, France and Argentina among the countries that have officially secured qualification for the Round of 32.

Co-hosts the United States and Mexico have also booked their places in the knockout rounds, ensuring they will continue their World Cup campaigns in front of home supporters.

Although several nations have already confirmed their progression, the race for the remaining Round of 32 places remains open as the final group-stage matches conclude.

The last set of group fixtures, scheduled to end on Saturday, June 27, will determine the outstanding qualifiers and the identities of the best third-placed teams.

The knockout stage promises several exciting encounters, with traditional football giants set to battle emerging contenders for places in the Round of 16.

The first Round of 32 fixture will see South Africa face Canada on Sunday, June 28, at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, USA, with kick-off scheduled for 8 p.m.

On Monday, June 29, five-time world champions Brazil will take on Japan in Houston, while Germany will face one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams from Groups A, B, C, D or F in Foxborough.

Tuesday’s fixtures will feature the Netherlands against Morocco in Guadalupe, Mexico, while Ivory Coast will battle Norway in Arlington, Texas. France will also be in action against a yet-to-be-determined third-placed qualifier from Groups C, D, F, G or H at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

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Action continues on Wednesday, July 1, with Mexico taking on a third-placed team from Groups C, E, F, H or I in front of its home fans in Mexico City. The winners of Group L will also face a best third-placed team from Groups E, H, I, J or K in Atlanta, while the winners of Group G will meet another third-placed qualifier in Seattle.

On Thursday, July 2, co-hosts the United States will lock horns with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California, while the winners of Group H will face the runners-up from Group J in Los Angeles.

Friday’s schedule features another set of intriguing contests, beginning with the runners-up from Groups K and L meeting in Toronto, Canada. Switzerland will face a best third-placed team from Groups E, F, G, I or J in Vancouver, while Australia will take on the runners-up from Group G in Arlington.

One of the day’s marquee fixtures will see defending champions Argentina begin their knockout campaign against the runners-up of Group H in Miami.

The final Round of 32 match on Saturday, July 4, will pit the winners of Group K against one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams from Groups D, E, I, J or L in Kansas City.

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Confirmed Round of 32 Fixtures

Sunday, June 28

South Africa vs Canada – Los Angeles, USA (8:00 p.m.)

Monday, June 29

Brazil vs Japan – Houston, USA (6:00 p.m.)

Germany vs Best Third-Placed Team (Groups A/B/C/D/F) – Foxborough, USA (9:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, June 30

Netherlands vs Morocco – Guadalupe, Mexico (2:00 a.m.)

Ivory Coast vs Norway – Arlington, USA (6:00 p.m.)

France vs Best Third-Placed Team (Groups C/D/F/G/H) – New Jersey, USA (10:00 p.m.)

Wednesday, July 1

Mexico vs Best Third-Placed Team (Groups C/E/F/H/I) – Mexico City, Mexico (2:00 a.m.)

Group L Winners vs Best Third-Placed Team (Groups E/H/I/J/K) – Atlanta, USA (5:00 p.m.)

Group G Winners vs Best Third-Placed Team (Groups A/E/H/I/J) – Seattle, USA (9:00 p.m.)

Thursday, July 2

USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Santa Clara, USA (1:00 a.m.)

Group H Winners vs Group J Runners-up – Los Angeles, USA (8:00 p.m.

Friday, July 3

Group K Runners-up vs Group L Runners-up – Toronto, Canada (12:00 a.m.)

Switzerland vs Best Third-Placed Team (Groups E/F/G/I/J) – Vancouver, Canada (4:00 a.m.)

Australia vs Group G Runners-up – Arlington, USA (7:00 p.m.)

Argentina vs Group H Runners-up – Miami, USA (11:00 p.m.)

Saturday, July 4

Group K Winners vs Best Third-Placed Team (Groups D/E/I/J/L) – Kansas City, USA (2:30 a.m.)

With the group stage nearing its conclusion, fans can expect intense competition as teams battle for the remaining knockout spots and prepare for what promises to be an enthralling Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup.