World Cup 2026: Round of 32 matchups, schedules, and venues announced

The FIFA World Cup United States-Mexico-Canada 2026 is entering uncharted territory with the introduction of a Round of 32 knockout stage, a new format necessitated by the expansion to 48 participating nations. This unprecedented round will see the 32 teams that successfully navigated the group stage compete for advancement.

Among the contenders moving forward are traditional powerhouses and strong regional teams. The list of qualified teams includes Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, the United States, Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, and England, among others. These nations will vie for the coveted title in the expanded tournament.

Conversely, 16 teams have seen their World Cup dreams end. Nations such as the Czech Republic, Qatar, Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, Scotland, Iraq, Jordan, Panama, Curacao, Uruguay, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Iran have been eliminated from contention.

The schedule for the Round of 32 matches, including specific days, times, and venues, is being finalized. All times mentioned in the report correspond to Argentina's local time. The reigning champions, Argentina, are once again considered among the favorites to win the tournament.