The FIFA World Cup 2026™ knockout stage is underway after hosts Canada became the first team to book its place in the Round of 16, edging South Africa 1-0 in the opening Round of 32 fixture on Sunday.

Attention now turns to the remaining Round of 32 matches, where every game is win-or-go-home. Tournament favourites, including France, England, Spain, Portugal and Argentina, all begin their knockout campaigns over the coming days, while Egypt and Algeria carry Arab hopes into the knockout stage.

For fans across the Middle East and North Africa, after Morocco defeats Netherlands in one of the standout ties of the round, hopes are high as Egypt takes on Australia and Algeria meets Switzerland, with the two  nations also aiming to secure places in the Round of 16.

The Round of 32 also brings together many of football’s biggest stars. Lionel Messi leads defending champions Argentina into the knockout rounds, while Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jude Bellingham headline a week packed with blockbuster encounters.

Ivory Coast vs Norway
Tuesday, June 30 – 8:00 PM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]

Two evenly matched sides meet with a place in the Round of 16 at stake. Norway will once again look to Erling Haaland for victory, while Côte d’Ivoire hopes to continue its impressive tournament run.

France vs Sweden
Wednesday, July 1 – 12:00 AM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
France begins the knockout rounds as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, but Sweden has quietly impressed throughout the tournament and will look to frustrate Les Bleus.

Mexico vs Ecuador
Wednesday, July 1 – 4:00 AM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
Mexico and Ecuador meet in a tightly balanced contest after both sides successfully navigated challenging groups to reach the knockout stage.

England vs Congo DR
Wednesday, July 1 – 7:00 PM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
England enter the knockout stage as one of the tournament favourites but face a confident Congo DR side hoping to extend its memorable FIFA World Cup campaign.

Belgium vs Senegal
Wednesday, July 1 – 11:00 PM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
Belgium and Senegal meet in one of the Round of 32’s standout European-African encounters, with both sides possessing the attacking quality to produce an entertaining contest.

United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Thursday, July 2 – 3:00 AM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
The United States continue their home World Cup campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina, who have reached the knockout stage for the first time.

Spain vs Austria
Thursday, July 2 – 10:00 PM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
Spain’s possession-based style comes up against a disciplined Austrian side looking to cause one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

Portugal vs Croatia
Friday, July 3 – 2:00 AM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
Portugal and Croatia meet in one of the Round of 32’s headline European clashes, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading Portugal’s pursuit of another deep World Cup run.

Switzerland vs Algeria
Friday, July 3 – 6:00 AM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]

Buoyed by Riyad Mahrez’s dramatic stoppage-time goal that sealed qualification, Algeria faces Switzerland for a place in the Round of 16.

Australia vs Egypt
Friday, July 3 – 9:00 PM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
Egypt face Australia in one of the week’s biggest matches for Arab fans. The Pharaohs will be looking to continue their strong tournament and move one step closer to the latter stages.

Argentina vs Cabo Verde
Saturday, July 4 – 1:00 AM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
Defending champions Argentina begin their title defence in the knockout rounds against tournament surprise Cabo Verde, with Lionel Messi once again leading the South American giants.

Colombia vs Ghana
Saturday, July 4 – 4:30 AM [Mecca Time / UTC+3]
The Round of 32 concludes with Colombia and Ghana battling for the final spot in the Round of 16, after both sides impressed in the group stage.