The newly-created World Cup round of 32 is set to begin after a thrilling conclusion to the expanded group stage. With the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 nations, only 16 teams have been eliminated so far.
Group Stage Highlights
England secured top spot in Group L after a 2-0 win over Panama in rainy New Jersey on Saturday night, joined by both Croatia and Ghana in the knockout phase. Uruguay was the most high-profile side to fall at the first hurdle, ending the Marcelo Bielsa era in dramatic fashion. Scotland's wait to reach the knockout stages for the first time continues, leading to the swift resignation of manager Steve Clarke. Jordan, Curacao, and Uzbekistan all saw their first World Cup appearances end early. South Korea and Turkey are two more major casualties, along with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Haiti, Panama, Qatar, Czech Republic, New Zealand, and Iraq. Debutants Cape Verde, however, have advanced.
Round of 32 Fixtures and Results
All kick-off times are BST.
- June 28: South Africa 0-1 Canada
- June 29: Brazil 2-1 Japan
- June 29: Germany vs Paraguay (Boston, 9:30pm)
- June 30: Netherlands vs Morocco (Monterrey, 2am)
- June 30: Ivory Coast vs Norway (Dallas, 6pm)
- June 30: France vs Sweden (New York/New Jersey, 10pm)
- July 1: Mexico vs Ecuador (Mexico City, 2am)
- July 1: England vs DR Congo (Atlanta, 5pm)
- July 1: Belgium vs Senegal (Seattle, 9pm)
- July 2: USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (San Francisco, 1am)
- July 2: Spain vs Austria (Los Angeles, 8pm)
- July 3: Portugal vs Croatia (Toronto, 12am)
- July 3: Switzerland vs Algeria (Vancouver, 4am)
- July 3: Australia vs Egypt (Dallas, 7pm)
- July 3: Argentina vs Cape Verde (Miami, 11pm)
- July 4: Colombia vs Ghana (Kansas City, 2:30am)
Round of 16 Matchups
- July 4: Canada vs Winner match 75 (Houston, 6pm)
- July 4: Winner match 74 vs Winner match 77 (Philadelphia, 10pm)
- July 5: Brazil vs Winner match 78 (New York/New Jersey, 9pm)
- July 6: Winner match 79 vs Winner match 80 (Mexico City, 1am)
- July 6: Winner match 83 vs Winner match 84 (Dallas, 8pm)
- July 7: Winner match 81 vs Winner match 82 (Seattle, 1am)
- July 7: Winner match 86 vs Winner match 88 (Atlanta, 5pm)
- July 7: Winner match 85 vs Winner match 87 (Vancouver, 9pm)
Quarter-finals
- July 9: Winner match 89 vs Winner match 90 (Boston, 9pm)
- July 10: Winner match 93 vs Winner match 94 (Los Angeles, 8pm)
- July 11: Winner match 91 vs Winner match 92 (Miami, 10pm)
- July 12: Winner match 95 vs Winner match 96 (Kansas City, 2am)
Semi-finals
- July 14: Winner match 97 vs Winner match 98 (Dallas, 8pm)
- July 15: Winner match 99 vs Winner match 100 (Atlanta, 8pm)
Third-Place Final and Final
- July 18: Loser match 101 vs Loser match 102 (Miami, 10pm)
- Final: Winner match 101 vs Winner match 102 (New York/New Jersey, 8pm)
According to reports, England's Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have been key to their team's success, leading them to the round of 32 where they will face DR Congo.
