Dhaka, Jun 28 (V7N) — The curtain has fallen on the group stage of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming the final 32 teams that will compete in the tournament's first-ever Round of 32.
In the inaugural 48-team World Cup, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, have secured places in the knockout phase.
Several title contenders advanced with perfect records. Defending champions Argentina, France and co-host Mexico won all of their group-stage matches to reach the knockout rounds with maximum points.
The Round of 32 will begin on June 29 and continue through July 4, featuring a series of high-profile encounters.
The knockout stage opens with South Africa vs Canada at 1:00 a.m. (Bangladesh time) on June 29. One of the standout fixtures follows later that day as five-time world champions Brazil take on Asian giants Japan at 11:00 p.m.
Other notable Round of 32 fixtures include:
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Germany vs Paraguay — 2:30 a.m., June 30
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Netherlands vs Morocco — 7:00 a.m., June 30
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Ivory Coast vs Norway — 11:00 p.m., June 30
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France vs Sweden — 7:00 a.m., July 1
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Mexico vs Ecuador — 10:00 p.m., July 1
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England vs DR Congo — 10:00 p.m., July 1
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Belgium vs Senegal — 2:00 a.m., July 2
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United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina — 6:00 a.m., July 2
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Austria vs Spain — 1:00 a.m., July 3
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Portugal vs Croatia — 5:00 a.m., July 3
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Switzerland vs Algeria — 9:00 a.m., July 3
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Australia vs Egypt — 12:00 a.m., July 4
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Argentina vs Cape Verde — 4:00 a.m., July 4
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Colombia vs Ghana — 7:30 a.m., July 4
Among the most anticipated clashes of the Round of 32 is the showdown between Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Luka Modrić's Croatia, a fixture expected to be one of the tournament's biggest attractions.
Meanwhile, reigning world champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will begin their knockout campaign against surprise package Cape Verde, while Brazil's meeting with Japan is also expected to draw global attention as the race for the World Cup title intensifies.
END/SMA/AJ
