Table of Contents – Here’s What You Will Find
The Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a pivotal moment in the tournament’s new 48-team format. In this first knockout stage, 32 teams—comprising the top two from each group along with the eight best third-placed teams—will battle for a spot in the Round of 16. As group matches conclude, future matchups will be finalized, and we will keep this article updated as new matches are confirmed.
Update: Following Spain’s 1-0 victory over Uruguay, Germany’s Round of 32 opponent is confirmed to be Paraguay.
Update: France topped Group I, while Norway finished second. This means France and Germany are on the same tournament bracket, making a potential Round of 16 clash more likely!
Current Tournament Bracket
Confirmed Round of 16 Matches
As of June 27, 2026, 10:01 AM – 9 out of 16 Round of 16 matches are confirmed. This list will be updated regularly.
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The Round of 32 begins on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Below, you will find the complete, automatically updated Round of 16 schedule, alongside the matches that are officially confirmed.
One match has already been highlighted: The tournament kicks off with South Africa facing Canada in the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, featuring the second team from Group A against the second team from Group B.
Overview of Confirmed Matchups
- South Africa vs. Canada (Sun, June 28, 9:00 PM): The second team from Group A meets the second team from Group B at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
- Brazil vs. Japan (Mon, June 29, 7:00 PM): Group C winner faces the second team from Group F. A classic matchup against one of the tournament’s standout underdogs.
- Germany vs. Paraguay (Mon, June 29, 10:30 PM): Group E winner takes on the third-placed team from Group D. Julian Nagelsmann’s DFB team faces off in Gillette Stadium, Boston, against the defensively strong South Americans, harking back to their previous Round of 16 encounter in 2002.
- Netherlands vs. Morocco (Tue, June 30, 3:00 AM): The winner of Group F clashes with the second team from Group C, a rematch of previous heated contests.
- Côte d’Ivoire vs. Norway (Tue, June 30, 7:00 PM): The second team from Group E takes on the second team from Group I. Norway, led by their star striker Erling Haaland, faces the physically imposing Ivorian team.
- France vs. Sweden (Tue, June 30, 11:00 PM): Group I winner meets the third-place team from Group F. Vice-world champion France resides in the same bracket as Germany, edging closer to a possible Round of 16 showdown.
- USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Thu, July 2, 2:00 AM): The host nation and Group D winner faces one of the best third-placed teams from Group B.
- Australia vs. Egypt (Fri, July 3, 8:00 PM): The second team from Group D takes on the second team from Group G.
- Argentina vs. Cape Verde (Sat, July 4, 12:00 AM): Defending champions Argentina face debutantes Cape Verde, who caused a major upset by finishing second in Group H.
How the Round of 16 Works
This World Cup will feature a record 48 teams, divided into twelve groups of four. The two winners and runners-up from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32. The selection of the eight best third-placed teams will be displayed in our table.
The knockout stage operates on a single-elimination format; if teams remain tied after 90 minutes, the match will proceed to extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary. The victorious team moves on to the Round of 16, played from June 28 to July 3, 2026.
When Will Other Matches Be Scheduled?
Not all group matches have concluded yet. Each match completion will determine the remaining matchups, filling the tournament bracket further. For up-to-date information on who has advanced and who is still vying for qualification, check our overview “Who is Advancing at the 2026 World Cup?” as well as the complete tournament schedule. This page will be updated as more Round of 16 matches are officially confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Round of 16
What Round of 16 Matches Are Already Confirmed?
Confirmed matchups include South Africa vs. Canada (June 28), Brazil vs. Japan and Germany vs. Paraguay (June 29), Netherlands vs. Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire vs. Norway, and France vs. Sweden (June 30), USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (July 2), Australia vs. Egypt (July 3), and Argentina vs. Cape Verde (July 4). The list will be updated regularly.
When Does the Round of 16 Begin?
The Round of 32 kicks off on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 9:00 PM CEST, with South Africa facing Canada at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
How Many Teams Are in the Round of 16?
32 teams will compete: the twelve group winners, twelve runners-up, and the eight best third-placed teams, all vying for a chance to move forward in the knockout stage.
