World Cup 2026 knockout picture starts to take shape

The third and decisive round of the World Cup 2026 group stage is underway, and the next-round bracket is becoming clearer. After three groups have already been completed, three more are expected to finish within the next 24 hours, between Thursday and Friday, giving a fresher view of the knockout-stage matchups.

Under the tournament’s current format, 24 teams advance automatically from the 12 groups, with the teams finishing first and second moving on. Another eight places go to the best eight third-place finishers, making up the 32-team knockout field.

As things stand now, the projected round of 32 includes South Africa against Canada, the Netherlands against Morocco, Germany against Paraguay, France against Sweden, Portugal against Ghana, Spain against Austria, the United States against Bosnia, Egypt against South Korea, Brazil against Japan, Ivory Coast against Norway, Mexico against Scotland, England against Cape Verde, Argentina against Uruguay, Australia against Iran, Switzerland against Algeria, and Colombia against Croatia.

The article also highlights the growing possibility of major marquee clashes, including a potential Spain-Argentina meeting, while asking whether England could once again draw a tough opponent from its past. The picture is still fluid, but the bracket is already close to taking shape.