FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 is officially here. The group stage ended on June 27, and today, Sunday June 28, the knockout phase begins with Canada taking on South Africa at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Eight more Round of 32 matches follow over the next few days, with giants like Brazil, France, Germany, Spain and Argentina all set to play. Here is everything you need to know.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Today’s Match
The first knockout match of this World Cup is a historic one. Canada vs South Africa at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles kicks off at 3 PM Eastern Time (EDT), which is midnight Pakistan Standard Time (PST) on Sunday night into Monday morning. Both teams are playing their very first World Cup knockout match ever, making this a big moment in football history.
Canada finished second in Group B. They had a brilliant run in the group stage, hammering Qatar 6-0, but lost to Switzerland 2-1 in their last group match. South Africa, known as Bafana Bafana, had a tough start, losing to Mexico 2-0, but they bounced back with a draw against Czechia and then shocked South Korea 1-0 to finish second in Group A.
Canada enter the match as favourites, but South Africa have nothing to lose. The winner will face either Netherlands or Morocco in the Round of 16 on July 4.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Full Schedule
All times below are in Pakistan Standard Time (PST). Pakistan is 9 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
| Date | Match | Venue | PST Kickoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, June 28 | Canada vs South Africa | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 12:00 AM Mon (midnight) |
| Mon, June 29 | Brazil vs Japan | NRG Stadium, Houston | 10:00 PM Mon |
| Mon, June 29 | Germany vs Paraguay | Gillette Stadium, Boston | 1:30 AM Tue |
| Mon, June 29 | Netherlands vs Morocco | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey | 6:00 AM Tue |
| Tue, June 30 | Ivory Coast vs Norway | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | 10:00 PM Tue |
| Tue, June 30 | France vs Sweden | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey | 2:00 AM Wed |
| Tue, June 30 | Mexico vs Ecuador | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | 6:00 AM Wed |
| Wed, July 1 | England vs Congo | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 9:00 PM Wed |
| Wed, July 1 | Belgium vs Senegal | Lumen Field, Seattle | 2:00 AM Thu |
| Wed, July 1 | USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco | 5:00 AM Thu |
| Thu, July 2 | Spain vs Austria | TBC | TBC |
| Thu, July 2 | Portugal vs Croatia | TBC | TBC |
Group Stage is Done: Who Qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32?
The group stage ran from June 11 to June 27. All 32 teams for the knockout stage are now confirmed. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups qualified automatically. On top of that, the eight best third-placed teams also made it through. Those eight third-place qualifiers are: DR Congo, Sweden, Ecuador, Ghana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Algeria, Paraguay, and Senegal.
Key Group Stage Highlights
- Argentina and Lionel Messi impressed throughout the group stage and are among the favourites to go all the way.
- USA won Group D and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 at Levi’s Stadium.
- Mexico topped Group A and will play Ecuador at the Estadio Azteca in what promises to be a noisy home clash.
- England, led by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, secured top spot in their group and face Congo on July 1.
- A dramatic last-day thriller saw Austria draw 3-3 with Algeria. Both teams still advanced, with Sasa Kalajdzic grabbing a late equaliser deep in stoppage time to keep Austria alive.
- The tournament has already set a new attendance record. By June 25, total attendance crossed 3.6 million, beating the previous record set at the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
Big Names Still in the Tournament
Several superstars are still fighting for the trophy. Lionel Messi, 39 years old and playing what many expect to be his last World Cup, is leading the Golden Boot race. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is also still in the competition, making this his sixth and final World Cup. Kylian Mbappe leads France, while Erling Haaland carries Norway’s hopes. Vinícius Jr. has been sharp for Brazil.
France are currently rated as the top team in the World Cup Power Rankings after the group stage, with Argentina, Brazil, and Spain also among the strongest sides left.
The New Format: What Pakistani Fans Need to Know
This World Cup is unlike any before it. For the first time ever, 48 teams took part, split into 12 groups of four. The new Round of 32 is also brand new to the World Cup, giving every qualified team one more knockout match before the Round of 16. The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Pakistan is not in the tournament, but millions of Pakistani fans are closely following their favourite teams, especially Argentina, Brazil, France, and England.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 start?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 started on Sunday, June 28, 2026, with Canada vs South Africa at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. For Pakistani fans, that match kicked off at midnight PST on Sunday night.
Which teams are still in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
All 32 teams in the knockout bracket are still alive heading into the Round of 32. These include Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, England, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, USA, Mexico, Japan, Morocco, and many more.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 final?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final is on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
Is Pakistan playing in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
No, Pakistan did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Pakistan is not yet competitive at the global football level. However, Pakistani fans are among the most passionate supporters of teams like Argentina, Brazil, France, and Germany, and millions are following this tournament closely.
