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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is in the books, and just like that, we're down to 32. The best players on the planet have spent the last few weeks fighting for position, and now the real tournament begins.
Every match from here on out is win-or-go-home, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Dark horses have already emerged, giants have stumbled, and a few teams that looked shaky early are suddenly hitting their stride at exactly the right time.
These are the Round of 32 matches you need to be watching.
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Brazil - Japan | Monday, June 29, 1 p.m. ET
Japan are unbeaten in the World Cup and have scored in every match, including two goals against the Netherlands and four against Tunisia. Brazil have scored six goals in their last two games and are riding high as the favorites.
La Seleção have been hot, but the Samurai Blue came in as one of the dark horse picks and have a sharp, high-tempo attack that's already given teams problems. Can Japan pull off the upset?
Netherlands - Morocco | Monday, June 29, 9 p.m. ET
Arguably the game to watch in the Round of 32. The Netherlands have one of the best attacks in the tournament, demolishing Sweden 5-1 in the group stage, and scoring two goals against Japan and three against Tunisia.
Morocco, viewed as one of the pre-tournament dark horses, tied with Brazil and scored four goals vs. Haiti in their group finale. This one should be tight and high scoring.
Ivory Coast - Norway | Tuesday, June 30, 1 p.m. ET
Another fun one. Ivory Coast nearly knocked off Germany and didn't allow a single goal against Curacao or Ecuador, and they have one of the most exciting young players in the tournament in Yan Diomande.
Norway has arguably the best striker on the planet in Erling Haaland, and the team scored eight goals across their three group stage matches. The Vikings will want to bounce back strong after falling 4-1 to France in the group stage finale.
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France - Sweden | Tuesday, June 30, 5 p.m. ET
France feel like the best team in the tournament right now, winning all three group stage matches by multiple goals without ever really being tested. They have some of the best players in the world, notably Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele. That alone makes them must-watch.
Sweden suffered a brutal loss to the Netherlands in the group stage but showed they can put up goals, scoring five against Tunisia. Can they trouble France?
Mexico - Ecuador | Tuesday, June 30, 9 p.m. ET
Mexico are riding a wave of home magic. Along with Spain, they were one of just two teams to keep a clean sheet through all three group stage matches, though they also managed just six goals in the process. Their defense has been carrying them.
Ecuador, fresh off a 2-1 upset of Germany, will look to keep the momentum going and knock off a co-host. Mexico got arguably the toughest Round of 32 draw of any co-host, and Ecuador cannot be slept on. At the very least, Estadio Azteca should be electric.
Belgium - Senegal | Wednesday, July 1, 4 p.m. ET
Belgium are one of the more unpredictable teams left in the tournament. They demolished New Zealand 5-1 but could only manage a 0-0 draw with Iran. Senegal, meanwhile, handled Iraq 5-0 but fell to both Norway and France, though they scored in every match, including twice against Norway and once against World Cup favorites France.
Their only two losses came against two of the best teams still in the tournament. Belgium has largely disappointed so far. Don't be surprised if Senegal pulls off the upset here.
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United States - Bosnia-Herzegovina | Wednesday, July 1, 8 p.m. ET
The USMNT is expected to win this one, and they probably will. But Bosnia deserves at least some credit for holding co-hosts Canada to a 1-1 draw in the group stage opener. All Americans should be tuning in to watch Team USA rebound from their Turkey loss and start building toward something bigger.
They haven't reached the quarterfinals since 2002, and Wednesday night in Santa Clara is one step closer to making history. Fans might also get to see a fully healthy squad in action.
Portugal - Croatia | Thursday, July 2, 7 p.m. ET
Toronto could get a thriller on Thursday night. Portugal were a mixed bag in the group stage, drawing 0-0 with Colombia and 1-1 with Congo DR alongside a 5-0 demolition of Uzbekistan, and many believe Cristiano Ronaldo's best days are behind him. Croatia, meanwhile, are the kings of the underdog role and know better than anyone how to pull off a World Cup upset.
They lost 4-2 to England in the opener but recovered with wins over Panama and Ghana. Portugal should advance, but as history has shown us, never bet against Croatia.
Argentina - Cape Verde | Friday, July 3, 6 p.m. ET
Cape Verde have been one of the best stories of the World Cup. They became the first debutant to advance out of the group stage, doing so at Uruguay's expense while also tying Spain in their opening match. Unfortunately for them, they now get Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Argentina will almost certainly win, but the World Cup can be unpredictable, and Cape Verde clearly has some magic to them. Even if the Blue Sharks fall short, at least you'll get to watch Messi further cement his legacy as the greatest of all time.
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