World Cup goes knockout: the bracket starts to take shape
The 2026 World Cup Round of 32 already has names locked in, and Portugal knows its path. Where things stand before Portugal-Croatia.
The 48-team World Cup has reached the stage where every game is a mini final: lose, and you pack your bags. And the knockout bracket is already showing its face.
The Round of 32 left warnings for everyone. Brazil beat Japan, but Germany crashed out loudly to Paraguay, eliminated on penalties. And the biggest thunderclap came from Morocco, who drew with the Netherlands and then sent the Dutch home in the shootout. Giants falling, underdogs dreaming — that’s exactly what makes this tournament addictive.
Portugal’s path
The Portuguese finished second in their group and have a date set: they face Croatia on July 2 in Toronto. It’s a real test, against a side used to these nerves of steel that has tormented half the world in past tournaments. Win and you move to the Round of 16; lose and it’s an early goodbye.
Meanwhile, the machine keeps rolling. This Tuesday the schedule brings more Round of 32 games, with Mbappé’s France in action and Mexico, the in-form co-host, trying to keep the home dream alive. As results come in, the shape of the Round of 16 keeps filling out.
What to keep in mind
The lesson from these first knockouts is simple: group form buys you a ticket to nowhere. Teams that coasted are already out, and sides written off as second-tier are scaring people. For Portugal, the message is clear — against Croatia, there’s no room for complacency.
See also: the Portugal-Croatia preview and the shocks of the first knockouts. Full schedule and bracket at FIFA.
By Vasco Almada
Illustrative · Photo: Franco Monsalvo / Pexels
