FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 set, Argentina eyes easy path to final

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, and the tournament moves into the Round of 32. A total of 32 teams have qualified, including Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, Brazil, Morocco, the United States, Australia, Paraguay, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Cape Verde, France, Norway, Senegal, Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Colombia, Portugal, DR Congo, England, Ghana and Croatia.

The knockout schedule begins on 29 June with matches such as South Africa vs Canada and Brazil vs Japan, followed by a full slate of fixtures through early July. Argentina, the defending champion, received a favourable draw and will open against Cape Verde. Led by Lionel Messi, who scored six goals in the group stage, Argentina is considered a strong contender to reach the final, with potential semifinals opponents including Brazil, England, Norway or Ivory Coast.

The draw also positions other notable teams – Brazil, England, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands – for possible early exits before the final, underscoring the competitive nature of the knockout phase.