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2026 World Cup Round of 32: Updated Bracket, Schedule, and Results

The field has shrunk significantly after the group stage, with 16 teams eliminated. Now, 32 teams remain, all dreaming of lifting the World Cup trophy. Soccer is full of surprises, but the top squads are tantalizingly close to glory.

The Round of 32 brings a thrilling knockout format where every match counts. Some teams will shine under the pressure while others may falter. Here's a look at the bracket and schedule for this phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Round of 32 Matchups & Results

  • June 28: Canada 1, South Africa 0
  • June 29: Paraguay 1 (4-3 pen), Germany 1; Morocco 1 (3-2 pen), Netherlands 1; Brazil 2, Japan 1
  • June 30: France 3, Sweden 0; Norway 2, Ivory Coast 1; Mexico 2, Ecuador 0
  • July 1: England vs DR Congo; USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina; Belgium vs Senegal
  • July 2: Portugal vs Croatia; Spain vs Austria; Switzerland vs Algeria
  • July 3: Argentina vs Cape Verde; Colombia vs Ghana; Australia vs Egypt

Bracket Breakdown

The Round of 32 bracket splits into two halves, each producing a finalist:

  • Germany (Group E winner)
  • Paraguay (Group D third-place)
  • France (Group I winner)
  • Sweden (Group F third-place)
  • South Africa (Group A runner-up)
  • Canada (Group B runner-up)
  • Netherlands (Group F winner)
  • Morocco (Group C runner-up)
  • Portugal (Group K runner-up)
  • Croatia (Group L runner-up)
  • Spain (Group H winner)
  • Algeria (Group J third-place)
  • United States (Group D winner)
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina (Group B third-place)
  • Belgium (Group G winner)
  • Senegal (Group I third-place)
  • Mexico (Group A winner)
  • Switzerland (Group B winner)
  • Brazil (Group C winner)
  • Colombia (Group K winner)
  • Ghana (Group L third-place)
  • Australia (Group D runner-up)
  • Egypt (Group G runner-up)
  • Cape Verde (Group H runner-up)
  • Argentina (Group J winner)
  • Ecuador (Group E third-place)
  • Ivory Coast (Group E runner-up)
  • Japan (Group F runner-up)
  • Norway (Group I runner-up)
  • England (Group L winner)
  • DR Congo (Group K third-place)
  • Austria (Group J runner-up)

Teams Advancing to Round of 32

Mexico was the first team to secure its spot on June 18. The United States and Argentina also qualified early after just two group matches. The final teams to clinch places were Algeria and Austria on June 27.

How the Knockout Stage Works

This phase moves away from points and standings. Each match must produce a winner. If tied after 90 minutes, the game goes into 30 minutes of extra time. Still tied? It’s decided by penalties, where five players from each team shoot from the spot. Whoever scores more advances.

The pairings in the Round of 32 were set ahead of time, matching group winners against runners-up or the best third-placed teams.

Progression Through the Tournament

The tournament starts with 48 teams split into 14 groups of four for the group stage. Teams earn three points per win, one for draws, none for losses. Top two teams from each group plus eight best third-placed teams move on to the Round of 32.

After that, it’s straight elimination: Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, then the final. Every match demands a winner, no room for ties.

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