Round of 32: Fixtures, results and qualified countries at the 2026 World Cup

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its knockout phase, history has already been made with the introduction of a Round of 32, a new addition born from the expanded 48-team format. This innovation has given two-thirds of the field a chance to reach the knockout rounds, and for the first time in the tournament's 96-year existence, the top two teams from each of the twelve groups, along with the best eight third-placed teams, have advanced to compete in a single-elimination tournament. For the countries that have qualified, this is a moment of high stakes, with the chance to make history and bring glory to their nations.

The Round of 32 fixtures have been announced, with 15 matches set to take place between June 28 and July 3. The defending champions Argentina, co-hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada, five-time champions Brazil, France, Norway, Germany, England, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Colombia, Morocco, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Ivory Coast, Belgium, Egypt, South Africa, Croatia, Cape Verde and Austria have all qualified as either group winners or runners-up. This means that these teams, along with DR Congo, Sweden, Ghana, Ecuador, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Algeria, Paraguay and Senegal, who secured their places as the eight best third-placed sides, will be competing in the Round of 32.

The expanded 48-team format has brought a new level of competition to the tournament, with more teams than ever before having a chance to reach the knockout rounds. This has led to a more diverse and exciting tournament, with teams from all over the world competing against each other. The introduction of the Round of 32 has also added an extra layer of excitement, with the possibility of upsets and surprises at this stage of the tournament. For the fans, this has meant a more thrilling experience, with more matches to watch and more teams to cheer for.

The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams is part of a broader trend in international sports, with many tournaments and leagues expanding to include more teams and countries. This trend is driven by a desire to increase participation and competition, as well as to tap into new markets and audiences. In the context of the World Cup, this expansion has brought a new level of excitement and diversity to the tournament, with teams from all over the world competing against each other. As the tournament continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how this trend continues to shape the future of international sports.

As the Round of 32 gets underway, fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see which teams will emerge victorious and move on to the next stage of the tournament. With the Round of 16 to follow immediately from July 4, the stakes will be higher than ever, and the competition will be fierce. For the teams that have qualified, this is a moment of high tension, with the chance to make history and bring glory to their nations. As the tournament continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the 2026 World Cup will be a tournament to remember.

As the Round of 32 continues, it will be interesting to see how the teams that have qualified will perform under the pressure of the knockout stage. Will the defending champions Argentina be able to maintain their title, or will one of the other qualified teams be able to pull off an upset?