Which teams are in the World Cup round of 32, and what’s the schedule?

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Cape Verde’s stunning debut headlines the team list for the World Cup knockouts, which begin on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Published On 27 Jun 2026

The 48-team FIFA World Cup is nearing the end of the group stage matches and moving towards the knockout stages, beginning on Sunday.

Only 32 teams will advance to the next round of football’s most prestigious tournament. The 2026 iteration in North America is the first time 48 teams have featured, and some debutants have already left their mark.

Here’s what you need to know about the round of 32:

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 26: Cabo Verde players celebrate after the 0-0 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia at Houston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Michael Steele/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) — Cape Verde players celebrate after the 0-0 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match with Saudi Arabia at Houston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas [Michael Steele/Getty Images/AFP]

What is the format of the World Cup knockouts?

The top two teams in each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-place finishers, advance to the knockouts.

The knockout phase begins with the round of 32, introduced at the World Cup following the tournament’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams.

Then comes the round of 16, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and a playoff for third place. The final is on July 19.

The stage-wise breakdown of the tournament’s knockout schedule is:

Round of 32: June 28 to July 3

Round of 16: July 4–7

Quarterfinals: July 9–11

Semifinals: July 14–15

Bronze medal match: July 18

Final: July 19

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - South Africa v South Korea - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 24, 2026 South Africa players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Daniel Becerril — South Africa players celebrate after the match at Estadio Monterrey, Mexico on June 24, 2026 [Daniel Becerril/Reuters]

Which teams have qualified for the round of 32?

So far, 26 teams have punched their ticket to the knockouts. They include:

⚽️ Colombia

⚽️ Argentina

⚽️ France

⚽️ Norway

⚽️ Germany

⚽️ USA

⚽️ Mexico

⚽️ Switzerland

⚽️ Canada

⚽️ Brazil

⚽️ Morocco

⚽️ South Africa

⚽️ Ivory Coast

⚽️ Bosnia and Herzegovina

⚽️ Ecuador

⚽️ Netherlands

⚽️ Japan

⚽️ Sweden

⚽️ Australia

⚽️ Spain

⚽️ Cape Verde

⚽️ Paraguay

⚽️ Egypt

⚽️ England

⚽️ Ghana

⚽️ Portugal

FIFA World Cup 2026: Round of 32 full schedule

Sunday, June 28

South Africa vs Canada, 12pm (19:00 GMT) — Los Angeles Stadium, USA

Monday, June 29

Brazil vs Japan, 12pm (17:00 GMT) — Houston Stadium, USA
Germany vs Paraguay, 4:30pm (20:30 GMT) — Boston Stadium, USA
Netherlands vs Morocco, 7pm (01:00 GMT+1) — Estadio Monterrey, Mexico

Tuesday, June 30

Ivory Coast vs Norway, 12pm (17:00 GMT) — Dallas Stadium, USA
France vs Sweden, 5pm (22:00 GMT) — New York New Jersey Stadium, USA
Mexico vs 3C/3E/3F/3H/3I, 7pm (02:00 GMT+1) — Mexico City Stadium, Mexico

Wednesday, July 1

USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5pm (01:00 GMT+1) — San Francisco Stadium, USA
1L vs 3EHIJK, 12pm (16:00 GMT) — Atlanta Stadium, USA
1G vs 3AEHIJ, 1pm (20:00 GMT)— Seattle Stadium, USA

Thursday, July 2

Spain vs 2J, 12pm (19:00 GMT) — Los Angeles Stadium, USA
2K vs 2L, 7pm (23:00 GMT) — Toronto Stadium, Canada
Switzerland vs 3EFGIJ, 8pm (03:00 GMT+1) — Vancouver Stadium, Canada

Friday, July 3

Australia vs 2G, 1pm (18:00 GMT) — Dallas Stadium, USA
Argentina vs Cape Verde, 6pm (22:00 GMT) — Miami Stadium, USA
1K vs 3DEIJL, 8:30pm (01:30 GMT+1) — Kansas City Stadium, USA

Source:

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