World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Five fixtures we could see shock results, elimination

The World Cup Round of 32 fixtures started on Sunday as the co-host nation, Canada eliminated South Africa from the competition.

A late stoppage time goal from Stephen Eustaquio ensured Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 to advance to the Round of 16.

Brazil defeated Japan on Monday, while Paraguay also sent Germany packing from the competition.

Morocco eliminated The Netherlands from the tournament in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

There are several other Round of 32 matches that will take place this week.

France will tackle Sweden on Tuesday night in New Jersey, USA, while Mexico will take on Ecuador on Wednesday morning.

England will clash with DR Congo on Wednesday evening in Atlanta, while the USA will face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday morning in Santa Clara.

Spain will clash with Austria on Thursday night in Los Angeles, while Switzerland will tackle Algeria on Friday morning in Vancouver, and Australia will take on Egypt on Friday night in Arlington, USA.

DAILY POST brings you other matches fans are likely to see shock results and elimination from the Round of 32 stage.

Belgium vs Senegal

This match will take place on Wednesday at 9 pm in Seattle, USA.

Belgium finished top of Group G with five points after winning one and drawing two of their three matches in the group stage.

Senegal, on the other hand, qualified for the Round of 32 as one of the best third-place teams after winning one and losing two of their group matches.

However, the Terenga Lions could shock Belgium in the knockout stage.

Portugal vs Croatia

This fixture will take place on Friday midnight in Toronto, Canada.

Both Croatia and Portugal finished in second position in Group L and Group K, respectively.

Croatia had six points from two wins and one loss, while Portugal recorded one win and two draws.

Football fans will witness the end of an era for one of the football icons, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, in the World Cup, as either one of the two men will exit the competition.

Ronaldo and Modric are both in their 40s, and this year’s World Cup is definitely going to be their last in the competition.

On paper, Portugal holds the edge over Croatia as they are yet to lose a match in the competition, but Modric could lead his team to overcome Roberto Martinez’s side and hand them their first defeat at this year’s World Cup.

Switzerland vs Algeria

This match will take place on Friday morning in Vancouver.

Switzerland finished in top of Group B with seven points from three matches, while Algeria finished in third position in Group J with four points after losing one game against Argentina.

The North Africans could surprise Switzerland, who are yet to lose a game in the tournament.

Ivory Coast vs Norway

The match will take place on Tuesday at 6 pm in Arlington, USA.

Both teams finished in second position in their respective groups with six points after losing one game each.

However, the Ivory Coast could surprise Norway and progress to the Round of 16 stage.

Australia vs Egypt

This game will take place on Friday night in Arlington, USA.

Just like Ivory Coast and Norway, Australia and Egypt finished in second position in their respective groups during the group stage.

Australia finished with four points from three matches in Group D, while Egypt finished with five points from the same number of games.

However, the North Africans could continue their unbeaten run in the World Cup and claim all three points against Australia and advance to the last-16.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Wakanda FC coach, Orode Richard, tipped four to five African countries to qualify from the Round of 32 stage.

“The World Cup has been very exciting and interesting from the kick-off of the very first match in the group stage to the knockout stages, and now we are in the Round of 32,” Richard said.

“Yes, South Africa were knocked out of the tournament on Sunday. It was a very good match, and moving forward, I think the African nations in the tournament are going to give a good account of themselves.

“From the fixtures we have in the Round of 32, at least I see four African countries making it to the Round of 16, if not more because the African teams have given a good account of themselves presently.

“Moving forward, I can see countries like Algeria to qualify ahead of Switzerland, Egypt to progress ahead of Australia, and the Ivory Coast to qualify ahead of Norway.

“Belgium is not in a very good form at the moment, so I would pick Senegal over Belgium. So it would be a very nice Round of 32 to watch, but I would be supporting the African countries, and I think four to five African nations will qualify for the Round of 16,” he said.