The group stage of FIFA World Cup 2026 is complete. Thirty-two teams have qualified for the Round of 32 — the tournament’s new knockout format that replaces the traditional Round of 16 — and the bracket for the remainder of the competition has been determined. This page provides the complete Round of 32 fixture list, kickoff times, venues, and our match-by-match predictions. Bookmark it now and return to track every result as the tournament enters its most intense, high-stakes phase.
The Round of 32 runs from Sunday, June 28 through Wednesday, July 2, with four matches per day across the four days. The USA hosts all matches from the quarter-finals onwards — so from the quarter-finals, all matches take place in American venues. The final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, July 19 at 3:00 PM ET.
32 teams remain — can you name them all by jersey numbers? The FIFA 2026 Jersey Quiz covers all 48 nations. Which teams made it through? Test your knowledge now!
Play the FIFA 2026 Jersey Quiz – Who’s Still In?
How the Round of 32 Bracket Works
The Round of 32 bracket was pre-determined by FIFA based on the group stage draw. Group winners are paired against runners-up and third-place teams from other groups according to a predetermined matrix — designed to ensure that the two highest-ranked seeded teams (Spain and Argentina) cannot meet until the semi-finals, and similarly that France and England cannot meet until the semi-finals. This is a significant departure from previous World Cup formats and means the top four seeds have guaranteed separate bracket paths to the final.
Round of 32 Confirmed Fixtures (June 28 – July 2)
Note: Opponent designations (1A, 2B, 3CDFG etc.) are based on FIFA’s pre-determined bracket matrix. Update with confirmed team names after all group stage matches are completed on June 27.
Sunday June 28
- Match R32-1: 1B vs 2A | 3:00 PM ET | Kansas City
- Match R32-2: 1A vs 3BFGH | 7:00 PM ET | Dallas
- Match R32-3: 1D vs 3AEHIJ | 9:00 PM ET | New York/New Jersey (MetLife)
- Match R32-4: 1C vs 2D | Midnight ET | Vancouver (Canada)
Monday June 30
- Match R32-5: 1F vs 2E | 3:00 PM ET | Philadelphia
- Match R32-6: 1E vs 2F | 7:00 PM ET | Boston (Foxborough)
- Match R32-7: 2H vs 3AEHIJ | 9:00 PM ET | New York/NJ
- Match R32-8: 2C vs 1H | Midnight ET | Mexico City (Azteca)
Tuesday July 1
- Match R32-9: 1G vs 2H | 4:00 PM ET | Seattle (Lumen Field)
- Match R32-10: 3CDFGH vs 1L | 9:00 PM ET | New York/NJ
- Match R32-11: 3CEFHI vs 1K | 1:00 AM ET | Mexico City
- Match R32-12: 1L vs 3EHIJK | 4:00 PM ET | Atlanta
Wednesday July 2 / Thursday July 3
- Match R32-13: 1H vs 2G | 7:00 PM ET | Los Angeles (SoFi)
- Match R32-14: 2K vs 2L | 11:00 PM ET | Toronto (BMO)
- Match R32-15: 1B vs 3EFGIJ | 3:00 AM ET | Vancouver
- Match R32-16: 2D vs 2G | 6:00 PM ET | Dallas
Key Round of 32 Matches to Watch
Once the final group placements are confirmed on June 27, the specific team matchups across the 16 Round of 32 games will be confirmed. Based on the likely group stage outcomes, the most anticipated Round of 32 matches include:
- USA vs a European qualifier: The co-host’s first knockout match at home will generate the tournament’s most intense American atmosphere so far
- England’s Round of 32 match: Likely against a team from Groups B or C — potentially Switzerland or Morocco based on bracket positioning
- Germany’s first knockout match: Group E top seed against a third-place qualifier — expected to be a comfortable progression for Musiala and Wirtz
- Argentina’s first knockout test: As Group J winners, Messi and Argentina face a specific bracket opponent predetermined by FIFA — their path to the final is clear and dangerous
Round of 32 Schedule in Indian Time (IST)
- 3:00 PM ET matches = 12:30 AM IST next day
- 7:00 PM ET matches = 4:30 AM IST next day
- 9:00 PM ET matches = 6:30 AM IST next day
- Midnight ET matches = 9:30 AM IST same day
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 start?
The Round of 32 begins on Sunday, June 28, 2026. It runs through Wednesday, July 2, with four matches played each day over four days.
How many teams are in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32?
Exactly 32 teams contest the Round of 32 — the top two from each of the 12 groups (24 teams) plus the eight best third-placed teams.
Where can I watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 matches in India?
All Round of 32 matches are available on Sports18 TV channels and on JioCinema / JioTV for free streaming in India. Check the Sports18 official schedule for confirmed kickoff times in IST.
Track every Round of 32 result, analysis, and bracket update at theOpenHandbook’s FIFA World Cup 2026 hub.
