Highlights from the round of 32 World Cup 2026 | World Cup 2026 news

The World Cupif we need reminding, it doesn’t go on until the knockout stage.

No making a day off. There are no second chances. Lift hard. Stale Solbakken apparently did well – keep your starters in the second round.

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Seven UEFA teams made it out of the round of 32, among them Norway’s Solbakken, well rested after losing Group I to France. Canada, Mexico and the United States became CONCACAF’s three representatives in the Round of 16 for the second time, and for the first time since 2014 (when it was Costa Rica, Mexico, and the US).

Four South American countries passed through: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay.

Paraguay’s tactics were un-Solbakken – an all-out effort to get past the group, followed by a quick turnaround and a cross-country battle to face Germany in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

But La Albirroja had enough in the tank to become the first team to beat Die Mannschaft on penalties at the World Cup.

Les Bleus lead the way

France’s leading four – Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Kylian Mbappe, and Michael Olise – remained unmoved in the squad. In addition, Bradley Barcola replaced Doue and increased the speed in a 3-0 win over Sweden in the last 32.

Can coach Didier Deschamps impress everyone, including Rayan Cherki?

Europeans set standards

Belgium, England, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland joined France and Norway as winners in the Round of 32.

Belgium and England acted against the African opposition. The Belgians were 2-0 up against Senegal before Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku sent the game to extra time, with Tielemans’ penalty deciding the contest 3-2.

England were tested by DR Congo before Harry Kane scored a 2-1 win.

Portugal beat Croatia 2-1, where we learned that a chip in World Cup football can register a hair touch, which VAR review used to strike the Croatian equal 15 minutes-plus extra time.

The end of the traditional power of the World Cup

Add Germany to the list of declining World Cup powers, following Italy (who didn’t qualify) and Uruguay (after the group stage).

Until recently, Die Mannschaft looked ready to challenge for a fifth title. Julian Nagelsmann, 38, is a mix of veterans – led by 40-year-old Manuel Neuer – and youngsters who look set to lead a revival. Instead, Germany went down to Paraguay in shock, their first ever World Cup loss, and Germany’s first penalty shootout loss since the 1976 Euros.

Jonathan Tah’s header would have done the trick, but goal interference was detected by VAR review.

“This is the third relegation in a row, so we are no longer in the first group,” said Nagelsmann, who has left and could be replaced by Jurgen Klopp.

Africans leave their mark

Do you compare to the former players of Spain and Uruguay? Only the warmest of low-ranking Cabo Verde, who took Argentina to extra time before falling, 3-2, thanks to Diney Borges’ 111th-minute goal.

Although Algeria, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Ghana, Senegal and South Africa were all knocked out in the round of 32, they made the game worth watching.

Maybe a little playing would help. Or the passive defense, which worked for Egypt and Morocco – who defeated Australia and the Netherlands, respectively.

In all matters of attack led by Mohamed Ouahbi, the Atlas Lions have, so far, stuck to their defensive guns for 2022. An injury time finish from Issa Diop and a penalty kick from Yassine Bounou sent them through to the Netherlands.

Golden Boot competition

Lionel Messi’s surgical intervention led to Argentina’s first goal against Cape Verde, taking his tally to seven.

Meanwhile, after playing a producer against Norway, Kylian Mbappe returned to the scoring stage with two goals against Sweden. This gives Mbappe, seeking to become the first Golden Boot winner, to six goals.

Norway’s Erling Haaland and England’s Harry Kane kept their goalscoring tallies of late – each with five.

Messi also leads the all-time list, with 20, two more than Mbappe.

Home comfort is really important

This has been true in Mexico and the US.

El Tri went on an unbeaten World Cup run since 1970 at the Estadio Azteca, reaching the last 16 with England. Mexico, which has also produced a 360-minute shutout, has reached the “Quinto Partido” (“Fifth Game”) for the first time since 1986, but the extended stage means it has not reached the quarterfinals. The bad: There were at least four deaths from the festivities in Mexico.

Before the race, there were concerns that many US citizens would get into the spirit. This was erased following a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California. The result could be costly, however, as Folarin Balogun will be suspended after receiving a red card, following a VAR review.

Canada, meanwhile, became the first team to take action on the road, going to California and Texas. The Maple Leafs needed a stoppage-time goal from Stephen Eustaquio to get past South Africa in Los Angeles. Next up is Morocco in Houston.