The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered the knockout stage, with the Round of 32 fixtures confirmed after the conclusion of the group phase of the tournament.
The expanded competition has already produced several surprises, but one of the biggest stories has been Africa’s record-breaking performance. Nine African nations have progressed to the knockout stage, the highest number ever from the continent at a FIFA World Cup.
Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 edition is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, expanding the knockout stage from 16 to 32 teams.
Africa makes World Cup history
Algeria and DR Congo became the latest African teams to secure qualification after the final round of group matches, joining Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana and Senegal in the last 32.
The achievement represents the strongest World Cup showing by African teams, surpassing the previous record of two African nations reaching the knockout stage.
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Tunisia are the only African team to miss out after failing to advance from the group stage.
DR Congo booked their place by defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta to claim their first-ever World Cup victory. Yoane Wissa scored twice, while Fiston Mayele added the third goal as the Leopards recovered from an early setback to finish as the highest-ranked of the eight best third-placed teams.
The result earned DR Congo a Round of 32 meeting with England.
Algeria also progressed through the best third-placed route after drawing 3-3 with Austria in their final group match. The result proved enough to edge Iran for the final knockout berth.
Ghana also advanced despite losing 2-1 to Croatia, securing one of the remaining places reserved for the best third-placed teams. The Black Stars will face Colombia in the next round.
Knockout football begins
With the group stage completed, attention now shifts to the knockout rounds, where every match becomes a straight elimination contest.
Unlike the group phase, there are no second chances. Winners progress to the Round of 16, while defeated teams are immediately eliminated from the tournament.
The Round of 16 will begin on July 4, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final to follow. The tournament will conclude on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Heavyweight clashes await
Several high-profile fixtures headline the Round of 32.
African champions Ivory Coast face Norway, while Morocco meet European giants the Netherlands after both sides impressed during the group stage.
Cape Verde’s reward for reaching the knockout stage on their World Cup debut is a meeting with defending champions Argentina, while Senegal will face Belgium.
England will take on DR Congo after the Leopards’ historic qualification, and Ghana will meet Colombia in another intriguing tie.
Elsewhere, Portugal face Croatia, Brazil play Japan, France take on Sweden, and Spain meet Austria.
Host nation Mexico will also continue their campaign against Ecuador, while the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Full Round of 32 fixtures
Sunday, June 28
Match 73: South Africa vs Canada — 8:00 pm (Los Angeles, USA)
Monday, June 29
Match 76: Brazil vs Japan — 6:00 pm (Houston, USA)
Match 74: Germany vs Paraguay — 9:30 pm (Foxborough, USA)
Tuesday, June 30
Match 75: Netherlands vs Morocco — 2:00 am (Guadalupe, Mexico)
Match 78: Ivory Coast vs Norway — 6:00 pm (Arlington, USA)
Match 77: France vs Sweden — 10:00 pm (New Jersey, USA)
Wednesday, July 1
Match 79: Mexico vs Ecuador — 2:00 am (Mexico City, Mexico)
Match 80: England vs DR Congo — 5:00 pm (Atlanta, USA)
Match 82: Belgium vs Senegal — 9:00 pm (Seattle, USA)
Thursday, July 2
Match 81: United States vs Bosnia-Herzegovina — 1:00 am (Santa Clara, USA)
Match 84: Spain vs Austria — 8:00 pm (Los Angeles, USA)
Friday, July 3
Match 83: Portugal vs Croatia — 12:00 am (Toronto, Canada)
Match 85: Switzerland vs Algeria — 4:00 am (Vancouver, Canada)
Match 88: Australia vs Egypt — 7:00 pm (Arlington, USA)
Match 86: Argentina vs Cape Verde — 11:00 pm (Miami, USA)
Saturday, July 4
Match 87: Colombia vs Ghana — 2:30 am (Kansas City, USA)
