# Round of 32 Heats Up: Spain, Portugal, and USA Advance as 2026 World Cup Knockouts Intensify
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in full swing across North America, and the knockout stage has already delivered drama, upsets, and statement performances. With the Round of 32 nearing completion, here’s everything you need to know about the action so far and what’s coming next.
## 🏆 What’s Happened So Far
The expanded 48-team format means 16 knockout matches just to reach the Round of 16 — and the quality has been remarkable.
### Key Round of 32 Results
| Match | Score | Venue |
|——-|——-|——-|
| Spain vs. Austria | **3-0** 🇪🇸 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood |
| Portugal vs. Croatia | **2-1** 🇵🇹 | BMO Field, Toronto |
| USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina | **2-0** 🇺🇸 | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara |
| Belgium vs. Senegal | **3-2** 🇧🇪 | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| England vs. DR Congo | **2-1** 🏴 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| France vs. Sweden | **3-0** 🇫🇷 | (June 30) |
| Mexico vs. Ecuador | **2-0** 🇲🇽 | (June 30) |
| Brazil vs. Japan | **2-1** 🇧🇷 | (June 29) |
| Morocco vs. Netherlands | **1-1 (3-2 pens)** 🇲🇦 | (June 29) |
| Paraguay vs. Germany | **1-1 (4-3 pens)** 🇵🇾 | (June 29) |
### Biggest Talking Points
**Spain Look Dominant.** Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as La Roja cruised past Austria 3-0. Spain’s passing game looks sharp, and they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the bracket.
**USA Sends a Message.** The USMNT dispatched Bosnia 2-0 in Santa Clara behind a disciplined performance. With Folarin Balogun suspended after a controversial red card, the Americans will need depth to get past Belgium in the Round of 16 — but the energy from the home crowd is undeniable.
**Portugal Edges Past Croatia.** In a tight contest at BMO Field in Toronto, Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 to set up a tantalizing Round of 16 clash with Spain — a rematch of one of the most iconic World Cup matches in history.
**Morocco and Paraguay Stun Giants.** Morocco knocked out the Netherlands on penalties, while Paraguay stunned Germany in a shootout. Both results prove that the expanded World Cup isn’t just about giving more teams a chance — it’s about giving them a stage to rewrite history.
## 🇺🇸 USA vs. Belgium — What’s at Stake
The USMNT faces Belgium next — a team that showed incredible fight by overcoming a two-goal deficit against Senegal to win 3-2. With Balogun suspended, Coach Gregg Berhalter will need to find goals from elsewhere. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and the midfield will have to step up against a Belgian side featuring Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in what could be their final World Cup run.
## 🗓️ Upcoming Match Schedule (Eastern Time)
| Date | Match | Round | Venue | Time (ET) |
|——|——-|——-|——-|———–|
| July 3 | Switzerland vs. Algeria | Round of 32 | BC Place, Vancouver | Late July 2 (result pending) |
| July 4-5 | Round of 16 matches begin | Round of 16 | Various | TBD |
| July 9-10 | Quarterfinals | QF | Various | TBD |
| July 14 | Semifinals | SF | Various | TBD |
| July 19 | **Final** 🏆 | Final | MetLife Stadium, NJ | TBD |
## ❓ FAQ
### Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup in the US?
All matches are broadcast on FOX, FS1, and streamed on fubo (free trial available for new users).
### How does the new knockout format work?
48 teams were split into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advanced to the Round of 32. From there, it’s a straight knockout bracket — win or go home.
### Which teams are still alive?
Major contenders still in the tournament include Brazil, Argentina, France, England, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and the United States. Germany and the Netherlands have already been eliminated in shock penalty shootout defeats.
### When is the World Cup final?
The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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