FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its knockout stage. The group stage is over, 32 teams are through, and the Round of 32 kicks off today, Sunday 28 June 2026. Lionel Messi broke a historic World Cup scoring record on Saturday. The action now gets serious, with the final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 at a Glance
FIFA World Cup 2026 is unlike any tournament before it. For the first time in history, 48 teams are competing across three host nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico. There are 104 matches in total, spread across 16 cities and 16 stadiums. The group stage ran from 11 June to 27 June, with 12 groups of four teams each playing three matches.
The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed sides, advanced to the new Round of 32. That is 32 teams fighting it out in a straight knockout format from here to the final.
Opening Match and Group Stage Highlights
Mexico kicked off the FIFA World Cup 2026 on 11 June at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. El Tri beat South Africa 2-0 on opening day, sending the home crowd wild. Korea Republic also won on day one, beating Czechia 2-1. It was a perfect start for the hosts.
The group stage had drama in almost every round. The United States, Brazil, France, Germany, Argentina and England all made it through. Some big names like Uruguay, Qatar and Iraq went home early.
Messi Makes World Cup History
The biggest individual moment of the group stage came on Saturday 27 June. Lionel Messi scored a free kick against Jordan to give Argentina a 3-1 win. That goal made Messi the first player ever to score in seven straight FIFA World Cup tournaments. It is a record no other player in history has ever reached. Messi, who turned 39 during this tournament, is still writing his legend.
Argentina topped Group J with nine points, winning all three games. They face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday 4 July (Pakistan time) in Miami.
Last Day of Group Stage, 27 June, All Results
| Group | Match | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group J | Argentina vs Jordan | 3-1 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| Group J | Algeria vs Austria | 3-3 | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| Group K | Colombia vs Portugal | 0-0 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| Group K | DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | 3-1 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Group L | England vs Panama | 2-0 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| Group L | Croatia vs Ghana | 2-1 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
Round of 32 Full Schedule (Pakistan Standard Time, PKT = ET + 9 hours)
The FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage is now underway. Today, Sunday 28 June, is the first Round of 32 day with just one match. Then three games per day from Monday onwards.
| Date (PKT) | Match | Venue | PKT Kick-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 29 Jun | South Africa vs Canada | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 12:00 AM midnight |
| Mon 30 Jun | Brazil vs Japan | NRG Stadium, Houston | 10:00 PM |
| Mon 30 Jun | Germany vs Paraguay | Gillette Stadium, Boston | 1:30 AM (Tue) |
| Tue 1 Jul | Netherlands vs Morocco | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey | 6:00 AM |
| Tue 1 Jul | Ivory Coast vs Norway | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | 10:00 PM |
| Wed 2 Jul | France vs Sweden | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey | 2:00 AM |
| Wed 2 Jul | Mexico vs Ecuador | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | 6:00 AM |
| Thu 3 Jul | England vs DR Congo | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 9:00 PM |
| Thu 3 Jul | Belgium vs Senegal | Lumen Field, Seattle | 1:00 AM (Fri) |
| Thu 3 Jul | USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco | 5:00 AM (Fri) |
| Fri 4 Jul | Spain vs Austria | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 12:00 AM midnight |
| Fri 4 Jul | Portugal vs Croatia | BMO Field, Toronto | 4:00 AM |
| Fri 4 Jul | Switzerland vs Algeria | BC Place, Vancouver | 8:00 AM |
| Sat 5 Jul | Australia vs Egypt | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | 11:00 PM |
| Sat 5 Jul | Argentina vs Cape Verde | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | 3:00 AM (Sun) |
| Sat 5 Jul | Colombia vs Ghana | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City | 6:30 AM (Sun) |
Who Has Qualified and Who Is Out
All 32 Round of 32 teams are confirmed. The big names still in the tournament include Argentina (Group J winners), Brazil (Group C winners), France (Group I winners), England (Group L winners), Germany, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, and the USA. Mexico topped Group A with a perfect nine points.
Teams already out include Qatar, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Czechia, South Korea, Tunisia, New Zealand, Panama, and Jordan, among others. Scotland also exited the tournament and their manager Steve Clarke resigned after their group stage elimination.
Pakistan and This World Cup
Pakistan did not qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026, as they remain outside the top tier of world football. But Pakistani fans are watching every match with huge passion. Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappe are all household names across Pakistan. The Asia-Pacific region did send nine teams including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar and Uzbekistan. Of those, Australia and Japan are still alive in the Round of 32, while several Asian sides have already been eliminated.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did FIFA World Cup 2026 start and when is the final?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 started on 11 June 2026 with the opening match at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. The final will be played on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
How many teams are in FIFA World Cup 2026?
This edition has a record 48 teams, up from 32 in previous tournaments. The teams played across 12 groups in the group stage. Now 32 teams are left for the knockout rounds.
What record did Messi break at this World Cup?
Lionel Messi scored against Jordan on 27 June 2026 to become the first player ever to score in seven straight FIFA World Cup tournaments. He also became the leading scorer in FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage action for Argentina.
How can Pakistani fans watch FIFA World Cup 2026 matches?
Pakistani fans can watch FIFA World Cup 2026 matches live on PTV Sports and other sports channels that have broadcast rights in Pakistan. Matches can also be followed live on the official FIFA app and website for scores and highlights.
