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The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is delivering drama in waves across North America. From a four-time champion crashing out early to a co-host making history and a superstar breaking records — here’s everything you need to know from the last 32.
🇩🇪 Germany 1–1 Paraguay (Paraguay wins 4–3 on penalties) — MAJOR UPSET
In one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 World Cup, Germany — four-time world champions — were eliminated by Paraguay in a dramatic penalty shootout.
How it unfolded:
- 42′ — Julio Enciso (formerly of Brighton) headed Paraguay into a shock lead
- 69′ — Kai Havertz equalized with a glancing header from Florian Wirtz’s cross
- Extra time — Germany thought Jonathan Tah had won it, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on keeper Orlando Gill
- Penalties — Havertz missed Germany’s first spot-kick. Nick Woltemade also had his saved by Orlando Gill. Paraguay missed two chances to seal it — Antonio Sanabria shot wide and Fabian Balbuena was denied by 40-year-old Manuel Neuer — but in sudden death Tah blazed over, and Jose Canale kept his cool to send Paraguay through 4–3.
The result sent shockwaves through the tournament. Germany, who also crashed out in the group stage in 2018 and 2022, face another painful early exit.
🇫🇷 France 3–0 Sweden — Mbappe Makes History
Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout matches (10 goals) as France cruised past Sweden at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
- 45′ — Mbappe opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime
- 53′ — Bradley Barcola doubled the lead
- 74′ — Mbappe bagged his second with a curled finish
Mbappe now shares the Golden Boot lead (6 goals) with Argentina’s Lionel Messi. France will face Paraguay in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia.
🇨🇦 Canada 1–0 South Africa — History for the Co-Hosts
Canada advanced to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time ever, thanks to a 92nd-minute winner from Stephen Eustaquio.
The co-hosts had lost all six of their previous World Cup matches before this tournament. Now they’re through to the last 16, where they’ll face either the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston.
“You are Canadian heroes. The future of the sport in this country is huge because of you.”
— Jesse Marsch, Canada head coach
🇨🇴 Colombia Edge Past Ghana
Colombia defeated Ghana 1–0 in the last 32, with Jhon Arias heading the winner. They will face Switzerland in the Round of 16. Read the full Colombia vs Ghana match report here.
📅 Upcoming Round of 16 Matches
| Match | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Paraguay vs France | Philadelphia | July 4 |
| Canada vs Netherlands/Morocco | Houston | July 4 |
| Colombia vs Switzerland | Seattle | July 5 |
❓ FAQ
Is the 2026 World Cup 48 teams?
Yes. This is the first World Cup with 48 teams (12 groups of 4). The top two from each group plus the best eight third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32 (called “last 32”).
Where is the 2026 World Cup being played?
Across 16 venues in the USA, Canada, and Mexico — the first World Cup hosted by three nations. Key venues include MetLife Stadium (New York), SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles), AT&T Stadium (Dallas), and Estadio Azteca (Mexico City).
Who is the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup?
France look strong after defeating Sweden 3–0, but Argentina (with Messi leading the Golden Boot race) and Brazil, who reached the Round of 16 undefeated, are also top contenders. Canada’s Cinderella run adds an exciting narrative as co-hosts.
Has Germany been eliminated before in the Round of 32?
This is the first time Germany has been eliminated in the opening knockout round of a World Cup. They previously crashed out in the group stage in 2018 and 2022, but this marks their earliest knockout-stage exit in history.
🏆 Final Verdict
The 2026 World Cup knockout stage is already delivering unforgettable moments. Germany’s penalty shootout exit is the story of the tournament so far — a reminder that in football, reputation means nothing once the whistle blows. Canada’s historic run gives the co-hosts a dream to believe in, while Mbappe and France look every bit the title contenders.
Stay tuned — the Round of 16 kicks off this weekend, and if the last 32 is anything to go by, we’re in for a wild ride.
Catch all the World Cup action live on FOX and streaming on Fubo. 🇺🇸🏆
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Related: World Cup 2026 Knockout Roundup: Argentina Survive, Portugal & Spain Advance | World Cup 2026 Roundup: Egypt & Switzerland Make History; Messi Strikes Again