The World Cup is starting to get interesting. While the group stage isn't completely over yet, four round of 32 matches are already officially known.
The first match will pit South Africa against Canada. This game will kick off the round of 32 on Sunday at 9 p.m. French time at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. South Africa, runners-up in Group A, will face Canada, runners-up in Group B. This match will open a new stage of the tournament, one where every mistake can mean elimination.
South Africa vs. Canada: the first ticket to the round of 16
South Africa vs. Canada will therefore be the first fully confirmed Round of 16 match. Both teams finished second in their respective groups and find themselves in a direct knockout bracket. For Canada, co-hosts of the World Cup, this qualification extends their home campaign. For South Africa, this match represents a major opportunity to take a significant step forward in this expanded World Cup format.
The match will be played in Los Angeles, in one of the major stadiums hosting the 2026 edition. Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday evening at 9 pm in France, an ideal time for European viewers. The winner will advance to the round of 16, while the loser will be eliminated from the competition.
Brazil-Japan, the first major clash of the tournament
The second Round of 16 matchup will pit Brazil against Japan. The game will take place on Monday at 19 p.m. French time in Houston. Brazil finished first in Group C, while Japan took second place in Group F. This matchup promises to be one of the most exciting encounters of the early stages of the final tournament.
Brazil arrives with its usual status as a major contender. Japan, meanwhile, confirms its consistency in major international competitions and its ability to advance from the toughest groups. This clash between a nation with a long history in the World Cup and an Asian team now firmly established at the highest level immediately lends weight to these round of 32 matches.
Netherlands–Morocco, the match that's attracting everyone's attention
The Netherlands-Morocco clash is also confirmed. It will be played in the early hours of Tuesday morning, at 3:00 AM in France, in Monterrey, Mexico. The Netherlands finished first in Group F. Morocco, second in Group C, will therefore face a very strong opponent right from the start of the knockout stage.
This match is one of the most anticipated of the first Round of 16 draws. The Netherlands top their group after a strong run. Morocco, semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, face a major European nation in a crucial match.
United States-Bosnia and Herzegovina, a host country ready for the occasion
The fourth and final Round of 32 matchup will pit the United States against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The game is scheduled for Wednesday night/Thursday morning at 2:00 AM in France, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The United States won Group D and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina, who qualified as the third-place finisher in Group B.
For the Americans, this match holds particular significance. As co-hosts of the competition, the United States continues its journey in front of its home crowd, aiming to convert home advantage into qualification. Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other hand, enters this final phase with a different status, but with the opportunity to make a strong statement against one of the host nations.
These four matches are the only ones confirmed at this stage. The rest of the bracket is yet to be finalized, as several groups have yet to give their final verdict.
