2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 is the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage, which will take place from June 28 to July 3, 2026.[1] It is the first time that a FIFA World Cup will hold a single-elimination round with more than sixteen teams remaining in the tournament. Sixteen matches will be played in fourteen host cities, with the sixteen winning teams advancing to the round of 16.
Matches
South Africa vs Canada
The teams' only meeting took place in a 2007 friendly, which ended in a 2–0 win for South Africa.[2]
South Africa  | Match 73 |  Canada |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 1] |
         South Africa
|
    Canada
|
|
Assistant referees:
|
Brazil vs Japan
The teams have previously met 14 times, including once in the World Cup: a 4–1 group stage win for Brazil at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their latest encounter took place at the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup last October, when Japan gained their first win ever against Brazil in a 3–2 comeback.[3]
Brazil  | Match 76 |  Japan |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 2] |
     Brazil
|
     Japan
|
|
Assistant referees:
|
Germany vs Paraguay
Both teams have met two times, including their first encounter in Germany's 1–0 round of 16 win at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Their most recent encounter was a 3–3 friendly in 2013.[4]
Germany  | Match 74 |  Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 3] |
     Germany
|
     Paraguay
|
|
Assistant referees:
|
Netherlands vs Morocco
The teams have previously faced each other thrice, with Netherlands winning two times: a 2–1 group stage victory at the 1994 FIFA World Cup (their first meeting) and most recently in a 2017 friendly (also by 2–1).[5]
Netherlands  | Match 75 |  Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 4] |
    Netherlands
|
     Morocco
|
|
Assistant referees:
|
Ivory Coast vs Norway
The two teams have never met before.
Ivory Coast  | Match 78 |  Norway |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 5] |
France vs Sweden
The teams have previously faced each other 23 times, most recently in 2020, a 4–2 group stage win for France in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A.[6]
France  | Match 77 |  Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 6] |
Mexico vs Ecuador
The teams have faced each other in 28 previous matches, including at the FIFA World Cup in one previous occasion: a 2–1 victory for Mexico in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Their latest meeting took place last October in a 1–1 friendly.[7] Additionally, the last time both sides encountered each other on the pitch of the Azteca was in a friendly that ended in a 3–1 victory for Mexico in February 1997.[8]
Mexico  | Match 79 |  Ecuador |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 7] |
England vs DR Congo
The two sides have never met before.
England  | Match 80 |  DR Congo |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 8] |
Belgium vs Senegal
The two teams have never met before.
Belgium  | Match 82 |  Senegal |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 9] |
United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
The United States has never lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in three previous encounters, as they won twice, most recently a 1–0 friendly in 2021.[9]
    United States
|
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
Spain vs Austria
The two teams have met 16 times before this match, including a 2–1 group stage win for Austria in the 1978 FIFA World Cup. Their most recent encounter was a friendly in 2009 that ended 5–1 to Spain.[10]
Spain  | Match 84 |  Austria |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 11] |
Portugal vs Croatia
The two teams have met 10 times before, with Portugal winning seven matches. Their most recent meeting was a 1–1 group stage draw in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A.[11]
Portugal  | Match 83 |  Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 12] |
Switzerland vs Algeria
The teams have met on two occasions, with Switzerland winning both friendlies, most recently in 1986 by 2–0.[12]
Switzerland  | Match 85 |  Algeria |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 13] |
Australia vs Egypt
Australia and Egypt have only met twice before, most recently in 2010, a 3–0 win for Egypt in a friendly.[13]
Australia  | Match 88 |  Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 14] |
Argentina vs Cape Verde
The two sides have never met before.
Colombia vs Ghana
The two teams have never met before.
Colombia  | Match 87 |  Ghana |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 16] |