Official knockout schedule for the 32 teams at the 2026 World Cup.

The 16 knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup have been officially revealed. Brazil will face Japan, Germany will play Paraguay, England will take on the Republic of Congo, Portugal will meet Croatia, while Argentina will begin their title defense against Cape Verde.

The 2026 World Cup is entering a completely different phase. After a turbulent group stage, the remaining 32 teams no longer have the luxury of making mistakes. From here, just one loss will be enough to end their World Cup dream.

A unique aspect of this year's World Cup is the first-ever round of 32. The 48-team format gave many teams a better chance, especially those finishing third. But once the knockout rounds begin, all calculations give way to character, crucial moments, and the ability to handle pressure.

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Schedule for the 32-team knockout round of the 2026 World Cup

The schedule below is based on Vietnam time.

Time	Match pair	Location	Note
2:00 AM on June 29th	South Africa vs Canada	Los Angeles/Inglewood	The opening match of the round of 32.
00:00 on June 30th	Brazil vs Japan	Houston	This is a highly anticipated match.
3:30 AM on June 30th	Germany vs Paraguay	Boston/Foxborough	Germany faces a tough opponent.
8:00 AM on June 30th	Netherlands vs Morocco	Monterrey	A highly tactical match.
00:00 on July 1st	Ivory Coast vs Norway	bat	Ivory Coast reaches the knockout stage for the first time.
4:00 AM on July 1st	France vs Sweden	New York/New Jersey	France is rated higher.
8:00 AM on July 1st	Mexico vs Ecuador	Mexico City	Host nation Mexico faces a tenacious South American opponent.
11:00 PM on July 1st	England vs Republic of Congo	Atlanta	The Republic of Congo makes its first major mark.
3:00 AM on July 2nd	Belgium vs Senegal	Seattle	A fast-paced and powerful match.
7:00 AM on July 2nd	USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina	Santa Clara	Host nation USA faces third-placed team in Group B.
2:00 AM on July 3rd	Spain vs Austria	Los Angeles/Inglewood	Spain faces an opponent who plays a high-pressing game.
6:00 AM on July 3rd	Portugal vs Croatia	Toronto	Ronaldo faces a generation of experienced Croatian players.
10:00 AM on July 3rd	Switzerland vs Algeria	Vancouver	Algeria survives after a nail-biting draw.
1:00 AM on July 4th	Australia vs Egypt	bat	This match is evenly matched and unpredictable.
5:00 AM on July 4th	Argentina vs Cape Verde	Miami	The reigning champions face a new phenomenon.
8:30 AM on July 4th	Colombia vs Ghana	Kansas City	South American speed meets African pragmatism.

Please download the knockout round schedule for your convenience.

Brazil vs Japan: a match-up that promises surprises.

Brazil remains Brazil: technically gifted, with many players capable of making a difference, and always carrying the weight of a title contender. But Japan is no longer a team that only enters the knockout round to "learn."

The Japanese team possesses speed, tactical discipline, and excellent transitional abilities. Their strength lies in their ability to create danger through quick counter-attacks, exploiting the space behind opposing full-backs, even without excessive ball control.

Brazil are considered the favorites, but this isn't a one-sided match. If Japan can maintain their defensive formation for the first 30 minutes, putting Brazil under pressure, this could very well become one of the biggest flashpoints in the Round of 32.

Germany vs Paraguay: Reputation doesn't guarantee victory.

Germany topped the group, but their group stage campaign didn't inspire complete confidence. They had a very convincing win, but also exposed weaknesses when facing opponents who knew how to press and counter-attack at the right time.

Paraguay isn't a flashy team, but they're the kind of opponent that's very difficult to play against in the knockout rounds. They can play defensively, withstand pressure, wait for second balls, and drag the game into more physical play rather than showcasing their skills.

For Germany, it's not just about scoring early, but also about controlling the risks after losing possession. The longer the match drags on with a draw, the more quickly the psychological pressure can build for the European team.

Netherlands vs Morocco: A match of structure and character

The Netherlands are a well-organized team, physically strong, and adept at controlling space. But Morocco are a very special opponent in knockout matches. The African representatives have proven they can turn big games into battles of spirit, organization, and tenacity.

This match is worth watching because both teams are capable of disrupting the opponent's rhythm. The Netherlands want to push the pace down the flanks and draw Morocco out of their defensive block. Conversely, Morocco will try to slow the game down, limit space, and wait for opportunities to counter-attack.

An early goal could open up the game. But if it's tied after the first half, this could very well go to extra time or a penalty shootout.

England vs Republic of Congo: Don't underestimate the team that just made history.

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Germany vs Paraguay 0-0 (Half-time): Exciting from the very first minute.TPO - Paraguay had the first opportunity to score in the very first minute. The German players quickly responded with their own chances. The match was exciting right from the start.

The French team has been criticized for their 'lax defense'.TPO - Former football star and coach Carlos Bianchi believes that the French national team has a "lenient" defense. He is convinced that in order to win the 2026 World Cup, France must improve this area of ​​their defense.

Germany vs Paraguay 0-1 (Half-time): Enciso opens the scoring for Paraguay.TPO - Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute with an accurate header from Enciso.

England is considered superior to the Republic of Congo in terms of squad quality, depth, and experience. But this is the kind of match that can easily be deceptive. The Republic of Congo just had a historic victory against Uzbekistan to advance to the round of 32, and teams playing with high spirits are often very dangerous in the knockout stages.

For England, the biggest risk is complacency. If Thomas Tuchel's team starts slowly, allowing the Republic of Congo to hold firm for too long, the match could become more tense than expected.

The Republic of Congo will most likely play with a nothing-to-lose attitude. That's a very unpredictable kind of football, especially when a big opponent is put in a position where they are forced to win.

Belgium vs Senegal: A clash of two generations filled with emotion.

Belgium vs. Senegal is one of the most anticipated matches in the Round of 32. Belgium still boasts experienced players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku; Senegal also has a group of veteran players such as Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly.

The appeal of this match lies in its pace. Senegal possesses physical strength, speed, and strong tackling ability. Belgium has the technique and experience to control the game. If Belgium controls the ball well, they can force Senegal into a chasing position. But if Senegal creates pressure from the front line, the Belgian defense will be severely tested.

This is a match with multiple layers of story: Europe versus Africa, experience versus speed, and quite possibly one of the "last dances" of some big stars.

Spain vs Austria: A tougher test than it looks.

Spain tops Group H and is considered the stronger team compared to Austria. However, Austria is not an easy opponent. This team can press hard, compete fiercely, and make it difficult for opponents to build play from the back.

Spain will want to control the tempo of the game with possession, but if Austria presses them constantly, they will need quick breaks from the press. This match may not be explosive in terms of goals, but it will be very interesting to watch from a tactical perspective.

If Spain scores early, the situation will be favorable. If Austria manages to drag the game into a stalemate, the pressure could become a problem.

Portugal vs Croatia: Ronaldo, Modric, and an emotionally charged encounter.

Portugal vs. Croatia is a highly symbolic matchup. On one side is Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other Luka Modric and a generation of incredibly experienced Croatians. This is not just a knockout match, but a clash of names that have spanned nearly two decades of top-level football.

Technically, Portugal has more attacking options, but Croatia is always dangerous in matches that require composure. They know how to slow the pace, keep possession, drag the opponent into extra time, and capitalize on experience in tense moments.

This is a matchup that might not be explosive from the start, but it could heat up towards the end. For older stars, every moment in the knockout round could become their final milestone at the World Cup.

Argentina vs Cape Verde: the champion and the underdog.

The match between Argentina and Cape Verde was one of the most beautiful stories in the Round of 32. Argentina, the defending champions, possessed experience, composure, and a superior squad. Cape Verde, on the other hand, was the surprise package of the tournament, representing the beauty of an expanded World Cup: a small team can still step onto the big stage.

On paper, Argentina are the clear favorites. But Cape Verde will go into this match with nothing to lose. They might play deep, with multiple layers of defense, and wait for a set piece or counter-attack.

If Argentina had scored early, the game could have been easier to control. But the longer Cape Verde kept a clean sheet, the greater the pressure on the defending champions.

Colombia vs Ghana: speed, emotion, and pragmatism.

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Colombia is one of the most energetic teams in the group stage. They play fast-paced, emotional football and often receive huge support from the stands. Ghana, on the other hand, is a pragmatic opponent, unafraid of physical contact, and capable of controlling the game exactly as they want.

This match is noteworthy because of its two contrasting styles. Colombia wants to push the tempo, attacking with speed and explosiveness. Ghana, on the other hand, will likely opt for a more defensive approach, waiting for mistakes and capitalizing on direct chances.

If Colombia can stay focused, they have a better chance. But if Ghana can drag the game into a stalemate, it could be a very unpredictable match.

The Round of 32 has begun, and the World Cup is entering its most intense phase.

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup has already been full of stories: big teams progressing, smaller teams making their mark, and third-placed teams surviving on goals and goal difference. But the knockout rounds are where things really come into play.

Brazil vs. Japan, Netherlands vs. Morocco, Belgium vs. Senegal, Portugal vs. Croatia, England vs. the Republic of Congo, and Argentina vs. Cape Verde are all highly anticipated matchups. Each game has its own unique story: history, characters, tactics, emotions, and the potential for surprises.

From this point on, the World Cup is no longer a race for points. It's a game of character, crucial moments, and the ability to stand firm when only one match remains to decide your fate.

World Cup 2026 draw bracket

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