Updated

Updated · Sports Illustrated · Jun 27

2026 World Cup Confirms 9 Round-of-32 Matches as Hosts U.S., Canada and Mexico Advance

Updated

Updated · Sports Illustrated · Jun 27

2026 World Cup Confirms 9 Round-of-32 Matches as Hosts U.S., Canada and Mexico Advance

Q: Can underdog Cabo Verde, the smallest nation to advance, shock defending champions Argentina in the knockout round?

Yes—but it would still be a major upset. Cabo Verde have already shown they are not just a feel-good story. The World Cup debutants reached the Round of 32 unbeaten in Group H, drawing with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, and becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage. Their defensive discipline, calm approach and standout goalkeeping from veteran Vozinha have made them difficult to break down, while their 2-2 draw with Uruguay showed they can threaten going forward as well. That said, Argentina remain clear favorites. They won Group J, have the tournament experience Cabo Verde lack, and still possess elite quality led by Lionel Messi, who is making a record sixth World Cup appearance. Even with Messi rested for the final group game, Argentina had already secured top spot, a sign of their depth and control. The path to a shock is narrow but real. In a single-elimination match, a compact underdog can survive long stretches, frustrate a favorite and force extra time or penalties. Cabo Verde’s resilience and freedom from pressure give them a puncher’s chance, especially if they keep the game tight deep into the second half. But on balance, Argentina’s superior talent, depth and knockout pedigree make them the much more likely winners. Cabo Verde can absolutely make the match uncomfortable; actually eliminating the defending champions would require the best performance in their history and a rare off-day from Argentina.

3 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Jun 27

Nine Round-of-32 ties are now set in the 2026 World Cup, including U.S. vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada vs South Africa and Brazil vs Japan.
Group-stage results finalized those pairings: Mexico topped Group A on 9 points, the U.S. held first in Group D despite a 3-2 loss to Türkiye, and Canada advanced as Group B runner-up after a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland.
Other confirmed matchups include Germany vs Paraguay, Netherlands vs Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire vs Norway, France vs Sweden, Australia vs Egypt and Argentina vs Cabo Verde.
Several qualified teams still lack opponents — including Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Colombia, England and Ghana — because the expanded 48-team format sends the eight best third-place finishers into the bracket.
The remaining group finales run through June 27, with teams such as Scotland, South Korea and Croatia still waiting to learn whether they reached the knockout stage.

Sources

Sports Illustrated4h ago

2026 World Cup: First Round of 32 Matches Confirmed

ABP Live19h ago

FIFA World Cup 2026: Every Confirmed Round Of 32 Match So Far

SB Nation7h ago

2026 World Cup Round of 32: Full list of matches, potential round of 16 games | SB Nation

6 Sources

Can underdog Cabo Verde, the smallest nation to advance, shock defending champions Argentina in the knockout round?

Has the expanded 48-team format diluted the World Cup's quality for the sake of FIFA's revenue?

With record attendance, is co-hosting across three nations the definitive future for major global sports tournaments?

2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32: Host Nations Advance, New Rules Reshape Tournament, and North America Faces Historic Test

Overview

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered its knockout stage as of June 27, 2026, following an exciting group stage with 48 matches played. The Round of 32 schedule is now set, with 56 more games to decide the next champion. A major highlight is the strong performance of all three host nations—United States, Canada, and Mexico—as each advanced from their groups. This achievement stands out in the tournament, with the Round of 32 featuring the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams, determined by points, goal difference, and goals scored.

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