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World Cup 2026: the most fascinating fixtures coming up in the Round of 32

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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World Cup 2026: the most fascinating fixtures coming up in the Round of 32

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Jun 28, 2026 10:26 AM ET

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its knockout stage.

48 teams have been whittled down to 32, and those 32 are set to compete in a single-elimination bracket to determine the next world champion.

There are 16 fascinating fixtures to follow in this round — here are the stories behind the headliners.

Brazil vs. Japan on Monday, June 29

Some games are headliners because of their social and cultural significance; others are headliners because their on-field product looks so tantalizing. Brazil versus Japan in Houston, Texas, is the latter. These are two of the fastest, most aggressive and most athletic teams at this tournament, and they will give the world a show. It'll be a shame to lose either of these sides, but it will be an incredible privilege to see them battle.

@foxsoccer A breathtaking moment as Japan found the equalizer #FIFAWorldCup #Japan #NetherlandsvsJapan #equalizer ♬ original sound - FOXSoccer

Netherlands vs. Morocco on Monday, June 29

The Netherlands and Morocco haven’t played often — they’ve met just three times and only once previously at a World Cup — but they know each other well all the same. The large Moroccan diaspora in the Netherlands has given both nations some of its greatest all-time players, and there’s a constant dialogue between the two countries about which individuals will declare for which team. Dronten-born Hakim Ziyech chose Morocco; Utrecht-born Ibrahim Afellay opted for the Netherlands.

Three players on this 2026 Moroccan team — Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat and Anass Salah-Eddine — were born in the Netherlands and began their international careers there before switching their allegiance to Morocco. They’ll be desperate to prove that they made the right choice … especially after prominent Dutch pundits accused them of not being good enough to play for the Netherlands in the first place.

USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1

American soccer fans might not be familiar with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but make no mistake, it’s a serious soccer nation, one that took down Wales and Italy in quick succession to earn its spot at the World Cup. It’s aggressive in its press, fantastic at set pieces and difficult to break down, and it will offer the U.S. Men’s National Team an incredibly difficult challenge in the Round of 32.

It will also offer a familiar face: Esmir Bajraktarevic, the 21-year-old Wisconsin-born attacker who chose to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina instead of the USMNT. Bajraktarevic was a lauded youth prospect when he played with the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer, and his defection away from the USMNT was viewed as a massive loss for the program.

@mls 21-year-old Esmir Bajraktarević is gonna be a problem at the FIFA World Cup #mls #worldcup #bosnia #bosniaandherzegovina #psv ♬ Retro Sounds - DreamyBeats

Portugal vs. Croatia on Thursday, July 2

Portugal and Croatia are two European teams that are always “there or thereabouts” when it comes to international competitions. They’re regulars in the knockout stages of World Cups, and they’re always good for a serious upset or two. Portugal won Euro 2016 and the 2025 Nations League; Croatia finished in third and second in its last two World Cup appearances. They’re strong.

But much of that strength comes from their talismanic older players. Portugal is reliant upon 41-year-old attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, while Croatia needs 40-year-old midfielder Luka Modric. Both are legendary figures within their nation's sporting history, but both are undoubtedly in the twilight of their careers. The man who loses here may never appear in a World Cup game again.

Argentina vs. Cabo Verde on Friday, July 3

Has there ever been a bigger David and Goliath moment in the knockout rounds of a World Cup? Defending champion Argentina is set to take on tournament debutant Cabo Verde in front of a raucous crowd in Miami, Fla. The city is home to Argentine legends Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Sergio Aguero, and its crowds couldn't be more pro-Argentina if they tried.

Cabo Verde has been in this position before, though. It faced Spain and Uruguay — two nations with three World Cup championships between them — in the group stage and proved itself equal to both. If it can hold on here and give Argentina a real game, it'll be one of the most spectacular accomplishments in the history of the tournament.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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