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2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 is the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage and is taking place from June 28 to July 3, 2026.[1] It is the first time that a FIFA World Cup has featured a single-elimination round with more than sixteen teams remaining in the tournament. Sixteen matches are being played across 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]

After facing co-hosts Mexico in their opening group stage match, South Africa became the first team in tournament history to face two different host nations in a single edition since Turkey in 2002. This was also the first time a match featured two nations that had never previously reached the knockout stage. Additionally, it marked the first time a host nation played a World Cup match outside its own borders, after a 2–1 loss to Switzerland in its final group stage match cost Canada a guaranteed home-field advantage.[3]

Following a goalless 90 minutes, two minutes into stoppage time, Canada vice-captain Stephen Eustáquio gained possession after the ball was headed towards him, before striking right-footed from the edge of the penalty area low into the bottom left corner of the net for the only goal of the match.[4]

With this win, Canada advanced to the round of 16 for the first time in their appearances at the World Cup. South Africa were eliminated from the tournament, marking their best World Cup finish since 2010.[5]

South Africa 0–1 Canada
[Report 1]
Attendance: 69,237
South Africa[6]
Canada[6]
GK 1 Ronwen Williams (c)
RB 20 Khuliso Mudau
CB 21 Ime Okon
CB 14 Mbekezeli Mbokazi
LB 6 Aubrey Modiba
CM 13 Sphephelo Sithole
CM 4 Teboho Mokoena
RW 12 Thapelo Maseko downward-facing red arrow 86'
AM 10 Relebohile Mofokeng downward-facing red arrow 46'
LW 7 Oswin Appollis
CF 17 Evidence Makgopa downward-facing red arrow 86'
Substitutions:
MF 5 Thalente Mbatha upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW 15 Iqraam Rayners upward-facing green arrow 86'
FW 8 Tshepang Moremi upward-facing green arrow 86'
Manager:
Belgium Hugo Broos
GK 16 Maxime Crépeau
RB 2 Alistair Johnston
CB 15 Moïse Bombito downward-facing red arrow 59'
CB 13 Derek Cornelius
LB 22 Richie Laryea
RM 17 Tajon Buchanan downward-facing red arrow 75'
CM 25 Nathan Saliba Yellow card 54' downward-facing red arrow 59'
CM 7 Stephen Eustáquio (c)
LM 11 Liam Millar downward-facing red arrow 70'
CF 10 Jonathan David
CF 12 Tani Oluwaseyi downward-facing red arrow 70'
Substitutions:
DF 23 Niko Sigur Yellow card 67' upward-facing green arrow 59'
DF 4 Luc de Fougerolles upward-facing green arrow 59'
FW 24 Promise David upward-facing green arrow 70'
MF 14 Jacob Shaffelburg upward-facing green arrow 70'
DF 19 Alphonso Davies upward-facing green arrow 75'
Manager:
United States Jesse Marsch

Man of the Match:
Stephen Eustáquio (Canada)[7]

Assistant referees:[6]
Bruno Jesus (Portugal)
Luciano Maia (Portugal)
Fourth official:
Omar Al Ali (United Arab Emirates)
Reserve assistant referee:
Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
Video assistant referee:
Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Rodolpho Toski (Brazil)
Support video assistant referee:
Hernán Mastrángelo (Argentina)

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.[8]

Brazil Match 76 Japan
[Report 2]
Brazil[9]
Japan[9]
GK 1 Alisson
RB 13 Danilo Luiz
CB 4 Marquinhos (c)
CB 3 Gabriel Magalhães
LB 16 Douglas Santos
DM 5 Casemiro
CM 8 Bruno Guimarães
CM 20 Lucas Paquetá
RF 26 Rayan
CF 9 Matheus Cunha
LF 7 Vinícius Júnior
Manager:
Italy Carlo Ancelotti
GK 1 Zion Suzuki
CB 22 Takehiro Tomiyasu
CB 3 Shōgo Taniguchi
CB 21 Hiroki Itō
RM 10 Ritsu Dōan (c)
CM 24 Kaishū Sano
CM 15 Daichi Kamada
LM 13 Keito Nakamura
RF 14 Junya Itō
CF 18 Ayase Ueda
LF 11 Daizen Maeda
Manager:
Hajime Moriyasu

Assistant referees:[9]
Daniele Bindoni (Italy)
Alberto Tegoni (Italy)
Fourth official:
Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
Reserve assistant referee:
Stéphane De Almeida (Switzerland)
Video assistant referee:
Marco Di Bello (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Ivan Bebek (Croatia)
Support video assistant referee:
Joe Dickerson (United States)

Germany vs Paraguay

The 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.[10]

Germany Match 74 Paraguay
[Report 3]
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
Germany
Paraguay

Assistant referees:
Zakaria Brinsi (Morocco)
Mostafa Akarkad (Morocco)
Fourth official:
Ma Ning (China)
Reserve assistant referee:
Zhou Fei (China)
Video assistant referee:
Tatiana Guzmán (Nicaragua)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Hamza El-Fariq (Morocco)
Support video assistant referee:
Abdullah Al-Shehri (Saudi Arabia)

Netherlands vs Morocco

The teams have previously faced each other three times, with the Netherlands winning twice: 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).[11]

Netherlands Match 75 Morocco
[Report 4]
Netherlands
Morocco

Assistant referees:
Bruno Pires (Brazil)
Bruno Boschilia (Brazil)
Fourth official:
Cristián Garay (Chile)
Reserve assistant referee:
José Retamal (Chile)
Video assistant referee:
Nicolás Gallo (Colombia)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Leodán González (Uruguay)
Support video assistant referee:
Armando Villarreal (United States)

Ivory Coast vs Norway

The two teams have never met before.

Ivory Coast Match 78 Norway
[Report 5]
Ivory Coast
Norway

Assistant referees:
Jorge Urrego (Venezuela)
Tulio Moreno (Venezuela)
Fourth official:
Juan Gabriel Benítez (Paraguay)
Reserve assistant referee:
Eduardo Cardozo (Paraguay)

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.[12]

France Match 77 Sweden
[Report 6]
France
Sweden

Assistant referees:
Hessel Steegstra (Netherlands)
Jan de Vries (Netherlands)
Fourth official:
Tori Penso (United States)
Reserve assistant referee:
Brooke Mayo (United States)

Mexico vs Ecuador

The teams have faced each other in 28 previous matches, including a 2–1 group stage victory for Mexico in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Their latest meeting took place October 2025 in a 1–1 friendly.[13] Additionally, the last time both teams encountered each other on the pitch of the Azteca was a friendly that ended in a 3–1 victory for Mexico on February 5, 1997.[14]

Mexico Match 79 Ecuador
[Report 7]
Mexico
Ecuador

Assistant referees:
Tomaž Klančnik (Slovenia)
Andraž Kovačič (Slovenia)
Fourth official:
Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
Reserve assistant referee:
Mokrane Gourari (Algeria)

England vs DR Congo

The two teams have never met before.

England Match 80 DR Congo
[Report 8]
England
DR Congo

Belgium vs Senegal

The two teams have never met before.

Belgium Match 82 Senegal
[Report 9]
Belgium
Senegal

United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

The United States has never lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in three previous encounters, winning twice, most recently 1–0 in a friendly in 2021.[15]

United States Match 81 Bosnia and Herzegovina
[Report 10]
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.[16]

Spain Match 84 Austria
[Report 11]
Spain
Austria

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.[17]

Portugal Match 83 Croatia
[Report 12]
Portugal
Croatia

Switzerland vs Algeria

The teams have met on two occasions, with Switzerland winning both friendlies, most recently in 1986 by 2–0.[18]

Switzerland Match 85 Algeria
[Report 13]
Switzerland
Algeria

Australia vs Egypt

Australia and Egypt have only met twice before, most recently in 2010, a 3–0 win for Egypt in a friendly.[19]

Australia Match 88 Egypt
[Report 14]
Australia
Egypt

Argentina vs Cape Verde

The two teams have never met before.

Argentina Match 86 Cape Verde
[Report 15]
Argentina
Cape Verde

Colombia vs Ghana

The two teams have never met before.

Colombia Match 87 Ghana
[Report 16]
Colombia
Ghana

References

  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup 26 – Match Schedule" (PDF). FIFA. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "South Africa national football team: record v Canada". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  3. ^ "'You are Canadian heroes' - the forgotten hosts making World Cup history". BBC Sport. June 28, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  4. ^ "South Africa 0 Canada 1". BBC Sport. June 28, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  5. ^ "Canada first into last 16 as Stephen Eustáquio scores in stoppage time against South Africa". Guardian. June 28, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c "Tactical Line-up – Round of 32 – South Africa v. Canada" (PDF). FIFA. June 28, 2026. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  7. ^ "Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match – every winner". FIFA. June 28, 2026. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  8. ^ "Brazil national football team: record v Japan". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c "Tactical Line-up – Round of 32 – Brazil v. Japan" (PDF). FIFA. June 29, 2026. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  10. ^ "Germany national football team: record v Paraguay". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  11. ^ "Netherlands national football team: record v Morocco". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  12. ^ "France national football team: record v Sweden". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  13. ^ "Mexico national football team: record v Ecuador". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  14. ^ "Mexico vs. Ecuador 1997-02-05". National Football Teams.com. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  15. ^ "United States national football team: record v Bosnia and Herzegovina". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  16. ^ "Spain national football team: record v Austria". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  17. ^ "Portugal national football team: record v Croatia". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  18. ^ "Switzerland national football team: record v Algeria". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  19. ^ "Australia national football team: record v Egypt". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 27, 2026.

Reports

  1. ^
  2. ^ "Brazil vs Japan | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  3. ^ "Germany vs Paraguay | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  4. ^ "Netherlands vs Morocco | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  5. ^ "Côte d'Ivoire vs Norway | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  6. ^ "France vs Sweden | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  7. ^ "Mexico vs Ecuador | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  8. ^ "England vs Congo DR | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  9. ^ "Belgium vs Senegal | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  10. ^ "USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  11. ^ "Spain vs Austria | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  12. ^ "Portugal vs Croatia | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  13. ^ "Switzerland vs Algeria | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  14. ^ "Australia vs Egypt | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  15. ^ "Argentina vs Cabo Verde | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  16. ^ "Colombia vs Ghana | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
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