The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to transition from group stage matches to the knockout rounds, beginning on June 28. A total of 32 teams have qualified for this phase of the tournament, marking a significant milestone in football's most prestigious event.
Among the teams advancing are notable football powerhouses such as Colombia, Argentina, France, Norway, Germany, the USA, and Brazil. Other teams that have made the cut include Mexico, Switzerland, and Portugal, showcasing a diverse representation from across the globe.
The knockout stage schedule kicks off with South Africa facing Canada on June 28 at 12 PM local time in Los Angeles. This match will set the tone for the elimination rounds, where every game is crucial for teams aiming to progress further in the tournament.
Following this opening match, Brazil will take on Japan on June 29 at 12 PM in Houston. That same day, Germany is set to play Paraguay at 4:30 PM in Boston, while the Netherlands will compete against Morocco at 7 PM in Monterrey, Mexico.
These matches promise to deliver high-stakes action as teams vie for a place in the quarter-finals.
The knockout rounds continue on June 30, with Ivory Coast facing Norway at 12 PM in Dallas. Later that day, France will take on Sweden at 5 PM in New York, followed by Mexico's match against an undetermined opponent in Mexico City at 7 PM.
On July 1, the USA will play Bosnia and Herzegovina at 5 PM in San Francisco, while additional matches are scheduled for July 2 and July 3. Spain will face an unspecified opponent on July 2 in Los Angeles, and Australia will compete against another team at 1 PM in Dallas on July 3.
Argentina is also set to play Cape Verde at 6 PM in Miami on the same day.
