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The 2026 World Cup knockout stage begins on Sunday, June 28. For the first time in World Cup history, the elimination rounds will feature 32 teams with 16 matchups before the field shrinks to 16 teams. With one day of group-stage matches remaining, the majority of those win-or-go home matches are set.
Here's a look at the projected round of 32 bracket at the 2026 World Cup. Matchups that are not official are noted.
Sunday, June 28:
Canada vs. South Africa
Canada finished second in Group A. South Africa finished second in Group B.
Monday, June 29:
Brazil vs. Japan
Brazil finished first in Group C. Japan finished second in Group F.
Germany vs. Paraguay
Germany finished first in Group E. Paraguay finished third in Group D.
Netherlands vs. Morocco
Netherlands finished first in Group F. Morocco finished second in Group C.
Tuesday, June 30:
Ivory Coast vs. Norway
Ivory Coast finished second in Group E. Norway finished second in Group I.
France vs. Sweden
France finished first in Group I. Sweden finished third in Group C.
Mexico vs. Ecuador | Projected
Mexico finished first in Group A. Ecuador is third in Group E.
Wednesday, July 1:
England vs. Senegal | Projected
England finished first in Group L. Senegal finished third in Group I but could be eliminated depending on Saturday's results.
Belgium vs. South Korea
Belgium finished first in Group G. South Korea finished third in Group A but could be eliminated depending on Saturday's results.
USA vs. Bosnia And Herzegovina
USA finished first in Group D. Bosnia and Herzegovina finished third in Group B.
Thursday, July 2:
Spain vs. Austria | Projected
This game will feature the Group H winner vs. the Group J second-place finisher. Spain finished first in Group H. Austria sits in second place in Group J but could be eliminated or fall to third place with a loss to Algeria on Saturday.
Portugal vs. Ghana | Projected
This game will feature the Group K second-place finisher vs. the Group L second-place finisher. Portugal sits in second in Group K but could improve to first depending on the result against Colombia. Ghana could fall to third with a loss to Croatia.
Switzerland vs. Iran | Projected
This game will feature the Group A winner vs. the Group G third-place finisher. Switzerland won Group A. Iran sits in third place in Group G, but it could be replaced with a third-place team, depending on Saturday's results.
Friday, July 3:
Egypt vs. Australia
Egypt finished second in Group G. Australia finished second in Group D.
Argentina vs. Cape Verde
Argentina finished first in Group J. Cape Verde finished second in Group H.
Colombia vs. Croatia | Projected
This game will feature the Group K winner vs. the Group L third-place finisher. Colombia leads Group K but could fall to second place with a loss to Portugal. Croatia could improve its standing with a victory over Ghana, or it could be eliminated and replaced by another third-place team, depending on margin of loss.
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