The knockout stage has started, and the expanded 48-team format is now down to single-elimination pressure. Sunday is a transition day with one opening Round of 32 match before a packed slate arrives over the next several days, while surprise stories like Cape Verde’s run and a strong African presence have reshaped the bracket narrative.

Round of 32 path (current knockout situation)

South Africa vs Canada → winner plays Netherlands/Morocco in the Round of 16

Brazil vs Japan → winner plays Ivory Coast/Norway

Germany vs Paraguay → winner plays France/Sweden

England vs DR Congo → winner plays Mexico/Ecuador

Spain vs Austria → winner plays Portugal/Croatia

Argentina vs Cape Verde → winner plays Australia/Egypt

Upcoming matches

Canada enter with more attacking firepower, but South Africa arrive after a historic first-ever World Cup knockout qualification and have already shown they can stay compact and punish mistakes. Alphonso Davies' fitness has been a storyline around Canada, while Jonathan David remains the major attacking threat.

Recent coverage

The tournament story has shifted quickly from group-stage survival to bracket paths and upset potential. African teams have made an unusually deep collective push into the knockouts, while co-host Canada begins a high-pressure home-region run under knockout conditions.

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