The FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage is set to begin after an action-packed opening round of the expanded tournament.
The knockout stage is set ot begin on June 28, featuring several high-profile clashes with teams eyeing a place in the last 16.
A total of 48 teams competed across 12 groups during the group stage, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams securing places in the Round of 32.
The knockout round will commence on 28 June, with the opening match scheduled between hosts South Africa and Canada in California.
The Round of 32 will feature several high-profile encounters, with five-time winner Brazil taking on Japan and Germany facing Paraguay. Other notable fixtures include Portugal versus Croatia, Spain against Austria, and Argentina’s meeting with debutants Cape Verde.
Teams Qualified from Each Group
Group A: Mexico, South Africa
Group B: Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay
Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden
Group G: Belgium, Egypt
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Norway, Senegal
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria
Group K: Colombia, Portugal, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana
FIFA World Cup Knockout Complete schedule
Sunday, June 28
South Africa vs Canada — 12:00 AM PKT (Monday, June 29)
Monday, June 29
Brazil vs Japan — 10:00 PM PKT
Germany vs Paraguay — 1:30 AM PKT (Tuesday, June 30)
Netherlands vs Morocco — 6:00 AM PKT (Tuesday, June 30)
Tuesday, June 30
Ivory Coast vs Norway — 10:00 PM PKT
France vs Sweden — 2:00 AM PKT (Wednesday, July 1)
Mexico vs Ecuador — 6:00 AM PKT (Wednesday, July 1)
Wednesday, July 1
England vs DR Congo — 9:00 PM PKT
Belgium vs Senegal — 1:00 AM PKT (Thursday, July 2)
USA vs Bosnia — 5:00 AM PKT (Thursday, July 2)
Thursday, July 2
Spain vs Austria — 12:00 AM PKT (Friday, July 3)
Portugal vs Croatia — 4:00 AM PKT (Friday, July 3)
Switzerland vs Algeria — 8:00 AM PKT (Friday, July 3)
Friday, July 3
Australia vs Egypt — 11:00 PM PKT
Argentina vs Cape Verde — 3:00 AM PKT (Saturday, July 4)
Colombia vs Ghana — 6:30 AM PKT (Saturday, July 4)
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