FIFA 2026 World Cup
2026 FIFA World Cup enters a new phase on Sunday as the race for the title intensifies with the start of the Round of 32.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, the expanded 48-team competition features a 32-team knockout stage. The round is made up of the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, alongside the eight best third-placed teams.
A total of 16 knockout matches will be played between June 28 and July 4 across host nations the United States, Canada and Mexico, with every fixture carrying the high stakes of win or go home.
The Round of 32 gets underway on Sunday when South Africa face Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Brazil will continue their campaign against Japan on Monday before Germany take on Paraguay and the Netherlands square off against Morocco in the early hours of Tuesday. Later that day, France will battle Sweden for a place in the next round.
Wednesday’s action will see Côte d’Ivoire lock horns with Norway, while co-hosts Mexico face Ecuador. Portugal will also be in action against Croatia.
On Thursday, the United States will meet Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium will take on Senegal, while Spain face Austria in another mouthwatering encounter.
England will begin Friday’s fixtures against DR Congo before Switzerland tackle Algeria. Defending champions Argentina will then face tournament debutants Cape Verde as they continue the defence of their crown.
The Round of 32 will conclude on Saturday with Colombia taking on Ghana before Australia meet Egypt in the final fixture of the round.
*Round of 32 Fixtures (Nigerian Time)*
*Sunday, June 28*
– South Africa vs Canada — Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood — 8:00pm
*Monday, June 29*
– Brazil vs Japan — Houston Stadium, Houston — 6:00pm
*Tuesday, June 30*
– Germany vs Paraguay — Boston Stadium, Foxborough — 2:00am
– Netherlands vs Morocco — Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe — 2:00am
– France vs Sweden — New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford — 9:30pm
*Wednesday, July 1*
– Côte d’Ivoire vs Norway — Dallas Stadium, Arlington — 2:00am
– Mexico vs Ecuador — Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City — 4:30am
– Portugal vs Croatia — Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta — 9:30pm
*Thursday, July 2*
– USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara — 3:30am
– Belgium vs Senegal — Seattle Stadium, Seattle — 4:30am
– Spain vs Austria — Toronto Stadium, Toronto — 11:30pm
*Friday, July 3*
– England vs DR Congo — Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood — 12:30am
– Switzerland vs Algeria — BC Place, Vancouver — 3:00am
– Argentina vs Cape Verde — Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens — 11:30pm
*Saturday, July 4*
– Colombia vs Ghana — Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City — 2:00am
– Australia vs Egypt — Dallas Stadium, Arlington — 3:00a
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