World Cup 2026: Knockout stage begins with intriguing last-32 ties

The 2026 FIFA World Cup moves into its knockout phase on Sunday, with 16 ties in the last 32 set to determine who advances toward the final on 19 July. After a group stage that saw records broken, underdogs thrive, and a tightly contested Golden Boot race, the tournament now enters what England manager Thomas Tuchel and captain Harry Kane have described as a 'second tournament'.

Seven of the eight best third-placed teams required four points to progress, underscoring the competitiveness of the opening round. Among the standout storylines are the emergence of young talents and the continued brilliance of stars like Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland, who combined for 14 goals in the group stage.

Key matchups to watch

• Netherlands vs Morocco: A clash between tournament favourites and a 2022 semi-finalist, featuring rising star Ayyoub Bouaddi.
• Norway vs Ivory Coast: Erling Haaland faces a defence that conceded zero goals in ten qualifiers.
• Brazil vs Japan: A rematch of a 3-2 Japan victory last October, with both sides seeking a historic knockout win.
• France vs Sweden: Viktor Gyökeres battles club teammate William Saliba in an intriguing individual duel.
• Mexico at the Azteca: A home knockout match with the winner potentially meeting England in the last 16.

With 16 matches over the coming days, the path to the final in New Jersey is wide open. England, led by Kane's record-breaking form, will aim to navigate their half of the draw, while dark horses like Morocco and Canada look to continue their fairytale runs.