World Cup Round of 32: Full Schedule, Which Teams Made It? What to Know
The action is heating up — here's what to know about the Round of 32.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 features high‑stakes matchups with several standout teams entering undefeated or in strong form, including Mexico, France, Argentina, and BrazilRead More
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 features high‑stakes matchups with several standout teams entering undefeated or in strong form, including Mexico, France, Argentina, and Brazil.
- Key players such as Christian Pulisic, Brian Brobbey, and Vinicius Jr. are expected to play pivotal roles in their teams’ chances of advancing.
- Several marquee clashes — like Netherlands vs. Morocco, Brazil vs. Japan, and Mexico vs. Ecuador — are highlighted as must‑watch games due to balanced talent and strong group‑stage performances.
The knockout rounds of the World Cup officially kicked off yesterday, June 28 as Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 with a winning goal from Stephen Eustáquio coming late in stoppage time.
The Round of 32 will end this week on Friday, July 3 with the Round of 16 beginning immediately after on Independence Day. Let’s take a look at the matchups, including some good information to know if you're looking to catch some of the biggest games as we head into the next round!
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Schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32
South Africa vs. Canada – June 28 at 3 p.m. ET at Los Angeles Stadium
As mentioned above, Canada kicked off the Round of 32 with a last-minute 1-0 victory over South Africa. This marks a historic achievement for the Canadian Men’s soccer team, as it was their first ever win in the World Cup knockout stage. Next, they’ll face a tough test against the winner of Netherlands vs. Morocco, but they’ll be buoyed by the return of captain Alphonso Davies.
Brazil vs. Japan – June 29 at 1 p.m. ET at Houston Stadium
Two unbeaten teams will face off in one of the most exciting matchups of the Round of 32. After drawing with Morocco, Brazil secured back-to-back 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland with four goals from star man Vinicius Jr. They’ll face a difficult test against a Japan side that did not lose a group match while scoring seven goals across three games.
Germany vs. Paraguay – June 29 at 4:30 p.m. ET at Boston Stadium
Despite losing to Ecuador in their final group stage match, Germany secured first place in Group E and will now take on Group D 3rd-place finishers Paraguay. Germany has not played a knockout stage game since winning the tournament in 2014, so they’ll be eager to set the tone early in this one and advance to the next round.
Netherlands vs. Morocco – June 29 at 9 p.m. ET at Monterrey Stadium
The final game on Monday’s slate is arguably the juiciest matchup of the Round of 32. Both Netherlands and Morocco came into this tournament with high expectations, but one of the two will be going home tonight. Both teams finished with two wins and a draw in their respective groups and both teams have looked strong so far. This will be a difficult one to call and a great one to watch for the neutral.
Ivory Coast vs. Norway – June 30 at 1 p.m. ET at Dallas Stadium
Two 2nd-place finishers will battle it out in a matchup featuring plenty of talent. Erling Haaland is firmly in the Golden Boot race with four goals scored so far, but his Norway side will face a difficult challenge against Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and young phenom Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast.
France vs. Sweden – June 30 at 5 p.m. ET at New York New Jersey Stadium
France has looked superb at the World Cup so far, scoring 10 goals in three games and conceding only two. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have been on fire with four goals apiece. The French will need to be at the top of their game against a strong Sweden side that features Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, and Anthony Elanga, who has two goals in his last two matches.
Mexico vs. Ecuador – June 30 at 9 p.m. ET at Mexico City Stadium
Mexico was perfect at the group stage, winning all three matches without conceding a single goal. In front of their home fans, they will face a powerful Ecuador team fresh off an impressive 2-1 victory over Germany led by Moises Caicedo. You won’t want to miss this one.
England vs. DR Congo – July 1 at 12 p.m. ET at Atlanta Stadium
England won Group L, going undefeated across group play, but looking far from their best. Next up, they take on a DR Congo team, which held Portugal to a draw in the group stage and is led by Newcastle man Yoane Wissa, who has three goals at the World Cup so far.
Belgium vs. Senegal – July 1 at 4 p.m. ET at Seattle Stadium
After disappointing back-to-back draws against Egypt and Iran, Belgium looked back at their best with an emphatic 5-1 victory over New Zealand, leading them to win Group G. They’ll face a Senegal team led by Sadio Mane that is fresh off their own impressive win with a 5-0 victory over Iraq. Expect a lot of goals in this one.
United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina – July 1 at 8 p.m. ET at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Despite a loss to Türkiye in their final group stage match, the United States won their World Cup group for the first time since 2010. Star man Christian Pulisic returned to the field after missing their win against Australia and Coach Mauricio Pochettino will need him to be back at his best. Next up, they’ll face 3rd-place finishers of Group B Bosnia and Herzegovina led by Edin Dzeko.
Spain vs. Austria – July 2 at 3 p.m. ET at Los Angeles Stadium
After a disappointing 0-0 draw in their opening game to Cape Verde, Spain secured back-to-back wins against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. They did not concede a goal in group play, but struggled at times breaking teams down. They’ll need star man Lamine Yamal to be at his best against an Austrian side that scored six goals in three group games.
Portugal vs. Croatia – July 2 at 7 p.m. ET at Toronto Stadium
Despite not losing a game in group play, Portugal will be disappointed not to have won their group. Next up, they’ll take on a Croatia side that won two of their three group matches and features plenty of talent in Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic. This could well be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last ever World Cup match.
Switzerland vs. Algeria – July 2 at 11 p.m. ET at BC Place Vancouver Stadium
Switzerland went undefeated in group play with two wins and a draw, leading them to the top of Group B. Captain Granit Xhaka will be looking to lead his team to the Round of 16 against an Algeria team that features Riyad Mahrez, who has two goals and an assist at the tournament so far.
Australia vs. Egypt – July 3 at 2 p.m. ET at Dallas Stadium
Australia impressed in group play, finishing as runners-up to the United States in Group D. They’ll take on an Egypt team led by Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush that went undefeated in group play. Both teams will be eager to book their place in the Round of 16 and keep their tournament hopes alive.
Argentina vs. Cape Verde – July 3 at 6 p.m. ET at Miami Stadium
Argentina and Lionel Messi looked sensational in group play. Messi led his side to first place in Group J, rolling back the years with six goals in three games. Argentina will take on underdogs Cape Verde, who impressively went undefeated in a group featuring Spain and Uruguay. This one truly is David vs. Goliath.
Colombia vs. Ghana – July 3 at 9:30 p.m. ET at Kansas City Stadium
Colombia topped Group K, conceding only one goal in three matches. They’ll rely on Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz to help lead them to victory against a Ghana team led by Antoine Semenyo.
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Who are the players to watch in the Round of 32?
Christian Pulisic, USA
As a host nation, all eyes will be on the United States to progress to the Round of 16. To do that, they’ll need Pulisic to be at his best. He looked sharp in the first half against Paraguay, registering an assist and looking threatening every time he got the ball. A calf injury kept him out of the second half as well as the next game against Australia, but it was good to see him back against Türkiye. If Pulisic is fit and firing, the United States will be dangerous going forward.
Brian Brobbey, Netherlands
Since being inserted into the starting lineup in the second group match, Brian Brobbey has scored three goals in two games. The Netherlands will have high aspirations for this tournament, yet they will face a very difficult test against Morocco in the Round of 32. There is plenty of talent on the Dutch squad and if Brobbey can continue to be clinical in front of goal, they’ll be a tough team to beat.
Vinicius Jr., Brazil
The Real Madrid man has enjoyed a fantastic World Cup so far with four goals and an assist in three games in the group stage. There was some doubt about this Brazil squad coming into the tournament, but Vinicius has alleviated those concerns, leading his team to the top of a difficult Group C. Next, a tough test awaits against Japan, and all eyes will be on Vinicius Jr. and Brazil to see if they progress.
