FIFA World Cup: Round of 32 bracket, schedule, predictions, Iran exit | World Cup 2026 news

The Knockout match will start with South Africa vs Canada with Iran going out, Africa will make history and hope that Messi-Ronaldo will make it to the final.

The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup It begins on Sunday when South Africa take on Canada in the first round of 32.

When the team is finished, the entire knock control is now set. Nine African nations have made it to the round of 32, Iran have been eliminated after Algeria almost finished their studies and the draw has left the door open for Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Here is the complete 32nd round, South Africa vs Canada prediction and latest World Cup news:

What is the schedule for Sunday?

• South Africa vs Canada at Los Angeles Stadium, California, in the United States at noon (19:00 GMT).

What are the South Africa vs Canada predictions?

This will be only the second meeting between South Africa and Canada. The team’s run ended with Bafana Bafana winning 2-0 in a friendly in Durban in 2007.

Canada, however, wants to eliminate some unnecessary history. They have lost all of their previous African Cup of Nations matches, falling 2-0 to Cameroon in the 2001 Confederations Cup before losing 2-1 to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Despite this record, Opta’s top system shows Canada as a favorite. They won 55 per cent of the 25,000 Tests before that while South Africa won in 20 per cent. The remaining 24.9 percent of his scores ended after 90 minutes, which would send the tie to extra time and possible penalties.

Overall, Canada is given a 67.8% chance of reaching the quarterfinals, compared to South Africa’s 32.2%.

When and where will the other deaf matches be played?

Monday

• Brazil vs Japan: (noon/17:00 GMT) at Houston Stadium, Texas, in the US
• Germany vs Paraguay: (4:30pm/20:30 GMT) at Boston Stadium, Massachusetts, in the US
• Netherlands vs Morocco: (7pm/01:00 GMT Tuesday) at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico

Tuesday

• Ivory Coast vs Norway (noon/17:00 GMT) at Dallas Stadium, Texas, in the US
• France vs Sweden (5pm/21:00 GMT) at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in the US
• Mexico vs Ecuador (7pm/02:00 GMT Wednesday) at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico

Wednesday

• England vs Democratic Republic of the Congo (noon/16:00 GMT) at Atlanta Stadium, Georgia, in the US
• Belgium vs Senegal (1pm/20:00 GMT) at Seattle Stadium in the US state of Washington
• USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (5pm/00:00 GMT Thursday) at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, California, in the US

Thursday

• Spain vs Austria (noon/19:00 GMT) at Los Angeles Stadium
• Portugal vs Croatia (7pm/23:00 GMT) at Toronto Stadium, Ontario, Canada
• Switzerland vs Algeria (8pm/03:00 GMT Friday) at BC Place Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Friday

• Australia vs Egypt (1pm/18:00 GMT) at Dallas Stadium
• Argentina vs Cape Verde (6pm/22:00 GMT) at Miami Stadium, Florida, in the US
• Colombia vs Ghana (8:30pm/01:30 GMT Saturday) at Kansas City Stadium, Missouri, in the US

What else is going on?

Has Iran been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. Iran has been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Team Melli’s hopes hinged on Saturday’s Group J final between Austria and Algeria. Only a draw would knock Iran out, and the 3-3 scoreline meant that Algeria moved above Iran in the standings for third-placed teams.

Algeria finished third in Group J on four points, enough to take the last place among the eight third-best teams, who reached the round of 32.

Iran, who finished last in the qualifiers, were eliminated from the group.

Africa made a new World Cup record

African teams have enjoyed their best ever men’s World Cup campaign.

10 African countries participated in the 2026 tournament, and nine have reached the group of 32, the most from one continent in one World Cup.

The winners are: Algeria, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa.

Tunisia is the only African country that has been eliminated so far.

The victory increases the growing influence of Africa on the world stage after Morocco’s history reaches the end of 2022. With many countries protesting the past in football, the continent is enjoying a strong showing in the World Cup.

Messi vs Ronaldo final?

A potential clash between superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is still possible – but only if both captains lead their teams to the 2026 World Cup final.

With the 32 groups now confirmed, Argentina and Portugal are evenly matched, challenging the quarterfinal meeting that many fans were hoping for. This means that the two current football players can meet only if they both reach the final on July 19.

The box has sparked a lot of fanfare, with fans sharing predictions, memes and hopeful scenarios for the final meeting between the two idols, who are both playing in their sixth World Cup.