World Cup Round-of-32 Pairings Announced
The first nine fixtures for the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup have been confirmed. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament kicks off its elimination rounds on Sunday, June 28, in Inglewood, USA, where South Africa will face Canada at 22:00 Kyiv time. This edition marks a historic expansion to 48 teams, with the final scheduled for July 19.
Confirmed Round-of-32 Clashes
Among the known matchups in the round of 32 are:
- Germany vs. Paraguay
- France vs. Sweden
- Netherlands vs. Morocco
- USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil vs. Japan
- Ivory Coast vs. Norway
- Argentina vs. Cape Verde
- Australia vs. Egypt
Teams from Group I—France, Norway, Senegal, and Iraq—have concluded their group-stage campaigns. Cape Verde stands out as the nation with the smallest population ever to reach the knockout phase of a World Cup.
This World Cup is a landmark event due to its 48-team format, allowing more countries to compete on the global stage. Cape Verde's qualification highlights a growing trend of smaller football nations making their mark. The success of such teams could reshape perceptions of football's strength and potential across different regions, while also sparking renewed interest in the sport within resource-limited countries.
As the excitement builds for the knockout rounds, fans are eager to see how the tournament unfolds. With the first matchups set, the upcoming Round of 16 clashes promise to deliver thrilling encounters that could further alter the landscape of international football.