World Cup 2026: Round of 32 Underway, Upsets Mark Path to Knockout Stage

The 2026 World Cup is entering its decisive phase with the commencement of the knockout rounds. Teams are battling in the round of 32, where there is no room for error as they vie for a spot in the round of 16.

Canada became the first team to secure a place in the next stage, followed by a hard-fought qualification by Brazil. However, the tournament has already seen significant surprises. Paraguay unexpectedly eliminated Germany in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, while Morocco caused a major upset by defeating the Netherlands, also on penalties after a 1-1 tie.

Further results saw Norway overcome Ivory Coast, France secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sweden, and Mexico triumph in front of their home fans against Ecuador. These results have begun to shape the bracket for the next stage of the competition.

The article provides a detailed schedule of the remaining round of 32 matches, including fixtures involving England, Belgium, USA, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Australia, and Colombia. It also outlines the already confirmed matchups for the round of 16, featuring Canada vs. Morocco and Paraguay vs. France, with Brazil facing Norway. The path through the quarterfinals and semifinals to the final on July 19 is also laid out.