An island nation of just over half a million inhabitants, Cape Verde pulled off the unthinkable by reaching the last 32.


An island nation of just over half a million inhabitants, Cape Verde pulled off the unthinkable by reaching the last 32.

Buoyed by a dream run, underdogs Bosnia and Herzegovina clash with cohosts USA in their first World Cup knockout game.

Title contenders England, led by Harry Kane, face Yoane Wissa’s DR Congo, as the teams fight for a place in the last-16.

Kylian Mbappe’s France, the title favourites for the 2026 World Cup, take on Alexander Isak’s Sweden in the last 32.

Paraguay’s longshot win against Germany in the Round of 32 is the latest in a long line of World Cup knockout boilovers.

Erling Haaland’s Norway face Yan Diomande-powered Ivory Coast, as the pair clash for a place in the round of 16.

A rare meeting of the top 10 ranked teams sees Morocco take on the Netherlands in the round of 32 in Monterrey, Mexico.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 pits South American giants Brazil against Asian heavyweights Japan in Houston.

From Iran’s stoppage-time winner ruled out by VAR, to Ghana denied a penalty against England – all the controversies.

The FIFA World Cup knockout stage has begun with 32 teams progressing and 16 eliminated from the 2026 edition.
