World Cup Round of 32: Full Bracket, Schedule, Brazil vs Japan and Every Knockout Tie
Group stage done. 32 teams left. Brazil-Japan on Monday, USA-Bosnia July 1. Every date, time, venue.
Forty-eight teams walked in. Thirty-two walk out.
The 2026 World Cup group stage ends June 27 - and for the first time ever, the knockout round opens with 16 games, not eight. One loss and you’re on a flight home.
The bracket is locked. No redraws. No second chances.
Here is every confirmed tie, every date, and the three matches you cannot miss.
The three blockbusters
Brazil vs Japan - Monday, June 29, Houston. Japan knew this was coming the moment they drew 1-1 with Sweden. Neymar and company beat Scotland 3-0 to top Group C. Japan finished second in Group F behind the Netherlands. This is the tie everyone circled in red.
Netherlands vs Morocco - same night, Monterrey. The Oranje went 3/3 in the group. Morocco were runners-up behind Brazil. Two teams that actually looked dangerous.
France vs Sweden - Tuesday, June 30, New Jersey. Les Bleus topped Group I. Sweden took second after that 5-1 humiliation against the Dutch - then bounced back. MetLife Stadium on a Tuesday night. Good luck getting a ticket.
Full Round of 32 schedule (ET)
| Date | Time | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 28 | 3:00 PM | South Africa vs Canada | SoFi, Los Angeles |
| Jun 29 | 1:00 PM | Brazil vs Japan | NRG, Houston |
| Jun 29 | 4:30 PM | Germany vs Paraguay | Gillette, Boston |
| Jun 29 | 9:00 PM | Netherlands vs Morocco | BBVA, Monterrey |
| Jun 30 | 1:00 PM | Ivory Coast vs Norway | AT&T, Dallas |
| Jun 30 | 5:00 PM | France vs Sweden | MetLife, New Jersey |
| Jun 30 | 9:00 PM | Mexico vs best 3rd | Azteca, Mexico City |
| Jul 1 | 12:00 PM | Group L winner vs best 3rd | Atlanta |
| Jul 1 | 4:00 PM | Belgium vs best 3rd | Lumen, Seattle |
| Jul 1 | 8:00 PM | USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | Levi’s, Santa Clara |
| Jul 2 | 3:00 PM | Spain vs Group J runner-up | SoFi, Los Angeles |
| Jul 2 | 7:00 PM | Group K 2nd vs Group L 2nd | BMO, Toronto |
| Jul 2 | 11:00 PM | Switzerland vs best 3rd | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Jul 3 | 2:00 PM | Australia vs Egypt | AT&T, Dallas |
| Jul 3 | 6:00 PM | Argentina vs Cape Verde | Hard Rock, Miami |
| Jul 3 | 9:30 PM | Colombia vs best 3rd | Arrowhead, Kansas City |
Italic slots fill as the last groups finish on June 27. FIFA pre-mapped all 495 third-place combinations - the bracket path is set, only names were missing.
Who survived - quick roll call
Group winners: Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Argentina, Colombia - plus England and one more from Groups K/L as the final day wraps.
Best third-placed stories: Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 and scraped through. Sweden survived on 4 points. Paraguay held Australia 0-0 and got rewarded with… Germany in the round of 32. Tough draw.
Hosts: USA topped Group D despite losing 3-2 to Turkey in the finale. They face Bosnia on July 1 in the Bay Area - a win sets up a possible Mexico quarterfinal path.
Format reminder
One game. 90 minutes. Extra time if tied. Penalties if still tied. Win eight matches total to lift the trophy - one more than every World Cup since 1998.
Round of 32 runs June 28 - July 3. Round of 16 from July 4. Final July 19 at MetLife.
The group stage gave us Ecuador over Germany, Ronaldo at six World Cups, and Curacao keeper Eloy Room making 15 saves in one game.
The knockouts start Sunday. Nobody saves fifteen shots when the season is on the line.