Tap here to see the full World Cup knockout bracket and every team's path to the final.
It's now win-or-go-home time at the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament is shifting gears to the knockout phase after a thrilling and historic group stage came to an end Saturday with DR Congo, Austria, and Algeria securing the final berths in the last 32.
Austria and Algeria both advanced after closing out the group stage with an astounding 3-3 draw. Sasa Kalajdzic's 96th-minute equalizer sent Austria through in Group J and simultaneously eliminated Iran, which was on course to advance as a third-place finisher had Algeria held on for the win.
The dramatic finish locked in all the last-32 matchups.
👉 Final group standings, 3rd-place table
The round of 32 features some heavyweight tilts, including a duel between Portugal and Croatia that will see former Real Madrid teammates (and current national team captains) Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric go head-to-head in Toronto. There's an enticing game between Norway and the Ivory Coast, while the Netherlands' clash with Morocco also stands out.
The elimination phase begins Sunday when Canada and South Africa meet. That will be the first-ever men's World Cup knockout match for both nations.
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28
Monday, June 29
Tuesday, June 30
Wednesday, July 1
Thursday, July 2
Friday, July 3
The knockout bracket is noticeably lopsided, with Germany, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium all together on the same side. The United States and Canada, two of the tournament co-hosts, also find themselves on that side of the bracket.
Portugal's inability to win Group K means eternal rivals Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are on opposite sides of the bracket, and can only meet in the World Cup final. Had the Selecao won their group, Portugal and Argentina would've been on course for a blockbuster showdown in the quarterfinals.
(Source: FIFA)
The reigning champion Argentines will feel very confident about their chances of making another deep run after landing in arguably the most favorable portion of the bracket and getting Cape Verde in the last 32.
However, manager Lionel Scaloni isn't taking anything for granted.
"Cape Verde didn't surprise me, because it's a good team," Scaloni said Saturday, according to ESPN's Lizzy Becherano. "It's a tough opponent, one that already made things difficult for Spain, one of the favorites, as well as for Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. It's a fast team with quality."
The Albiceleste, looking to become the first repeat World Cup champion since 1962, could also eventually have to go through either Brazil or England to get back to the title game.
As for tournament darling Cape Verde, the Blue Sharks are one of nine African teams to reach the knockout round. The previous record at a single World Cup was two.
The remaining 32 nations are all chasing a place in the tournament final, which is being held at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
