Canada and South Africa open World Cup round of 32 as knockout phase kicks off in Los Angeles

After 18 days and 72 group-stage fixtures, the 2026 World Cup moves to a sudden-death phase that is itself a first: a round of 32. The last two qualifying berths were decided overnight when Croatia, Algeria, Austria and the Democratic Republic of Congo grabbed the final tickets, completing a bracket that runs from 28 June to 4 July.

How the groups played out

Reigning champion Argentina topped Group J, placing Lionel Messi’s side on what some French observers describe as a clean path to the semi-finals. Elsewhere, Portugal had to settle for second place in its group after a goalless draw with Colombia, a result that pairs Cristiano Ronaldo with former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modrić in a round-of-32 tie in Toronto. England won its group but did so without real attacking fluency, beating Panama 2‑0 thanks to Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

Surprise stories came from Africa: Cape Verde stunned the field by advancing from its group, while DR Congo, in its first World Cup appearance since 1974 (when it played as Zaïre), overturned an early deficit against Uzbekistan to win 3‑1 and reach the knockouts, with Yoane Wissa scoring twice.

Canada–South Africa: the opener

As co-host, Canada played its group matches at home but missed Alphonso Davies for all three after a hamstring injury on 6 May. Coach Jesse Marsch had said he expected Davies to face Switzerland; he did not play, and the Swiss win pushed Canada into second place in Group B, costing it home advantage for the knockout round. The Canadians are still favoured to beat South Africa, with one sportsbook pricing the implied probability of advancing at around 75 per cent.

South Africa lost its first match heavily to Mexico but drew with the Czech Republic and then beat South Korea 1‑0, securing a historic first-ever knockout appearance for Bafana Bafana. The winner of Sunday’s game will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the next round.

The rest of the bracket

Monday’s programme offers Brazil against Japan and Germany against Paraguay. Tuesday starts with the Netherlands taking on Morocco in Monterrey at 3 a.m. Central European time, while hosts Mexico and the United States follow later in the week: Mexico meets Ecuador at the Azteca and the United States plays Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara.

Other ties drawing attention include Spain versus Austria, Belgium versus Senegal, and France against Sweden in New York late on Tuesday. The round closes in the early hours of Sunday 4 July with Colombia–Ghana in Kansas City.

Stars and storylines

Messi and Argentina open their knockout campaign against Cape Verde in Miami at midnight on 3‑4 July. Ronaldo and Modrić, both 41, bring a vintage feel to Portugal‑Croatia, while England’s path could run through Mexico and then Brazil. The hosts are all present: Canada, the United States and Mexico have never before advanced this far together in a men’s World Cup.