England, Belgium, and USA Brace for Underdog Challenges in World Cup Round of 32
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- England, Belgium, and host nation USA begin their 2026 World Cup Round of 32 campaigns on Wednesday and Thursday.
- All three favored teams face underdog opponents in their bid to reach the Round of 16.
- The matches promise intense competition, with defeat meaning immediate elimination from the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup's Round of 32 intensifies on Wednesday and Thursday as England, Belgium, and co-host the United States enter the fray as favorites. Each team aims to secure a spot in the Round of 16 by overcoming less-favored opponents in high-stakes matches.
England kicks off the day's fixtures, facing the Democratic Republic of Congo at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday at 11:00 PM WIB. The Three Lions advanced as Group L winners after a consistent group stage performance. DR Congo, a surprise runner-up in Group K, is determined to cause an upset in their knockout stage debut.
Following England's match, Belgium will play Senegal at Houston Stadium on Thursday at 3:00 AM WIB. Belgium, the Group J champions, boast experienced players, while Senegal relies on collective strength and the speed of its forwards to challenge the Red Devils.
The final match of the day features host nation USA against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Seattle Stadium on Thursday at 7:00 AM WIB. While the US will benefit from home crowd support, Bosnia and Herzegovina has already made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time. The Round of 32 promises thrilling duels, as any loss signifies immediate elimination from the World Cup.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.