FIFA World Cup 2026: Knockout Phase Fixtures Announced

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to commence on June 11, 2026, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted across three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This edition will feature 48 teams and a total of 104 matches.

Following an action-packed group stage, the knockout phase will begin on July 4, 2026, with no second chances for losing teams, as they will be immediately eliminated from the tournament. The final match is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Key matchups in the Round of 32 include Brazil against Japan, Netherlands versus Morocco, Portugal against Croatia, Belgium against Senegal, and France against Sweden. The tournament will showcase nine out of ten African nations that have qualified for the knockout stage, reflecting Africa's impressive performance in this competition.