The knockout round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is well underway, with 32 remaining teams battling it out for a coveted spot in the round of 16. Global powerhouses are bracing for tough final 32 matchups, while underdog nations are gearing up to pull off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.
As the tournament progresses, it has already delivered no shortage of talking points, from record-breaking individual performances to surprising off-pitch narratives that have captured global attention. Seven teams have already secured their place in the round of 16, with others still fighting to join them on July 1.
### Key Upcoming Final 32 Matchups
Among the most anticipated clashes is England’s first-ever meeting with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions look to keep their title bid on track. England has limited knockout stage experience against African sides at the World Cup: their only prior knockout matchup against an African nation was a 3-0 win over Senegal in 2022, and they also beat Egypt and Cameroon during their run to the semi-finals in 1990. Still, the side has shown visible vulnerability in recent meetings with African opposition, including a draw against Ghana and a pre-tournament friendly loss to Senegal.
Belgium, ranked 9th in the FIFA World Rankings, will face off against 15th-ranked Senegal in Seattle on Wednesday in the first official meeting between the two nations. Belgium has lost just one of six all-time World Cup matches against African countries, while Senegal has dropped its last four World Cup games against European opposition.
The United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina for the fourth time in international play, holding an undefeated record of two wins and one draw against the side. However, the USMNT has struggled against European opposition at recent World Cups, with just one win in its last 21 matches against European teams.
### Teams Already Through to the Round of 16
Seven nations have already booked their spot in the last 16, after wrapping up their final 32 matches: Canada earned a 1-0 win over South Africa, Brazil defeated Japan 2-1, Paraguay knocked out Germany on penalties following a 1-1 draw, Morocco advanced past the Netherlands also on penalties after a 1-1 draw, Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1, France cruised past Sweden 3-0, and Mexico secured a 2-0 win over Ecuador. The defeated sides – South Africa, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Sweden and Ecuador – have all been eliminated from the tournament.
### Defending Champions Warned Against Underestimating Debutant Cape Verde
Reigning World Cup champions Argentina are preparing for their final 32 matchup against tournament first-timers Cape Verde, and head coach Lionel Scaloni has issued a stark warning against underestimating the underdog. Cape Verde has already turned heads on its debut, holding both Spain and Uruguay to draws in the group stage, proving it can compete with the world’s best. “They are a good team and they will make things very difficult for us,” Scaloni said of the matchup, highlighting the growing trend of smaller, lesser-ranked nations challenging global giants with organized tactics and relentless determination that has defined this year’s World Cup.
Cape Verde’s president Jose Maria Neves has added to the underdog excitement, saying he is 100 percent certain his side can pull off a historic upset over the defending champions. The statement reflects the widespread national pride surrounding Cape Verde’s first ever World Cup appearance, with the entire nation hoping to cement their place in World Cup history with a win that would go down as one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. Even a strong performance against Argentina would mark a major milestone for the small island nation and earn it long-awaited international recognition.
### Milestones and Records
Mexico’s 2-0 win over Ecuador delivered a historic milestone for the nation, securing a spot in the round of 16 – known domestically as “el quinto partido” (the fifth match) – for the first time since hosting the tournament in 1986. The match was delayed for an hour by severe stormy weather, but the disruption did nothing to throw Mexico off its game, as the side maintained full control throughout 90 minutes. Mexico will next face the winner of the England-DRC matchup, setting the stage for another exciting knockout round clash.
France also made history in its 3-0 win over Sweden, with star forward Kylian Mbappé netting two goals to bring his total number of World Cup knockout stage goals to 10, setting a new all-time tournament record. The result also saw head coach Didier Deschamps break the record for the most World Cup wins as a head coach, cementing France’s status as one of the favorites to lift the trophy this year. Les Bleus will face Paraguay in their next knockout round match.
### Off-Pitch Storylines
Beyond the action on the pitch, the 2026 World Cup hosted in North America has brought unique cultural challenges for traveling fans. Many international supporters from across Europe, Asia and Oceania have spoken out about the unexpected financial strain of the United States’ tipping culture, where gratuity is expected for even small purchases like snacks and drinks. The differing cultural norms have sparked widespread conversation about expected costs and affordability for fans traveling to the tournament.
Following the Netherlands’ early penalty-shootout elimination at the hands of Morocco, head coach Ronald Koeman announced he would step down from his role as national team manager. His resignation came shortly after three Dutch players were targeted with racist abuse on social media following the loss. Koeman expressed pride in his tenure leading the national side but acknowledged the deep disappointment of the early exit, marking a new beginning for the Dutch program after years of consistent international success.
Ecuador has also filed an official complaint with FIFA following incidents ahead of its defeat to Mexico, after videos showed hundreds of Mexican fans gathering outside Ecuador’s team hotel hours before kickoff, using loud music, chanting and fireworks in an attempt to intimidate the opposition. While such tactics are not uncommon in rival matches across Latin America, Ecuador argues the actions undermined their team’s preparation and raised safety concerns ahead of the match.
Adding a layer of cultural mystique to the highly anticipated Argentina-Cape Verde matchup, prominent Ghanaian spiritual leader Nana Kwaku Bonsam has grabbed global headlines with his prediction that Cape Verde will pull off the upset. Bonsam is well known for previous high-profile claims, including an alleged curse placed on England captain Harry Kane ahead of the 2022 World Cup. While there is no empirical evidence to support supernatural influence on match results, the prediction highlights the rich cultural context that surrounds the World Cup, showcasing how the tournament transcends sport to become a global event woven into local beliefs, hope and culture.