2026 FIFA World Cup knockout schedule released: South Africa vs Canada on June 29

The knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup begin on June 29, after an exciting group stage that featured 48 nations for the first time.

Updated - July 20, 2026 07:12 am IST

By The Hindu Bureau

Giant replicas of the FIFA 2026 World Cup trophy and ball. | Photo Credit: Henry Romero

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being played across Canada, Mexico, and the USA, with stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappe keeping the high-octane football matches nail-biting. The event began on June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and will conclude on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA. The knockout matches begin on June 29, with South Africa playing tournament co-host Canada.

The 2026 World Cup is the first time the tournament is being held across three nations, with an expanded roster of 48 nations competing in total.

Here is your guide to the teams competing, with match times according to Indian Standard Time (IST).

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Dates and Timings of Matches in IST

Round of 32

| Teams | Date | Time (IST) | Winner | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1: South Africa vs Canada | June 29 | 12:30 am | Canada | | 2: Brazil vs Japan | June 29 | 10:30 pm | Brazil | | 3: Germany vs Paraguay | June 30 | 2:00 am | Paraguay | | 4: Morocco vs Netherlands | June 30 | 6:30 am | Morocco | | 5: Côte d'Ivoire vs Norway | June 30 | 10:30 pm | Norway | | 6: France vs Sweden | July 1 | 2:30 am | France | | 7: Mexico vs Ecuador | July 1 | 6:30 am | Mexico | | 8: England vs DR Congo | July 1 | 9:30 pm | England | | 9: Belgium vs Senegal | July 2 | 1:30 am | Belgium | | 10: USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | July 2 | 5:30 am | USA | | 11: Spain vs Austria | July 3 | 12:30 am | Spain | | 12: Portugal vs Croatia | July 3 | 4:30 am | Portugal | | 13: Switzerland vs Algeria | July 3 | 8:30 am | Switzerland | | 14: Australia vs Egypt | July 3 | 11:30 pm | Egypt | | 15: Argentina vs Cape Verde | July 4 | 3:30 am | Argentina | | 16: Colombia vs Ghana | July 4 | 7:00 am | Colombia |

Round of 16

| Teams | Date | Time (IST) | Winner | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | A: Canada vs Morocco | July 4 | 10:30 pm | Morocco | | B: Paraguay vs France | July 5 | 2:30 am | France | | C: Brazil vs Norway | July 6 | 1:30 am | Norway | | D: Mexico vs England | July 6 | 5:30 am | England | | E: Spain vs Portugal | July 7 | 12:30 am | Spain | | F: Belgium vs USA | July 7 | 5:30 am | Belgium | | G: Egypt vs Argentina | July 7 | 9:30 pm | Argentina | | H: Switzerland vs Colombia | July 8 | 1:30 am | Switzerland |

Quarterfinals

| Teams | Date | Time (IST) | Winner | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Q1: Morocco vs France | July 10 | 1:30 am | France | | Q2: Spain vs Belgium | July 11 | 12:30 am | Spain | | Q3: Norway vs England | July 12 | 2:30 am | England | | Q4: Argentina vs Switzerland | July 12 | 6:30 am | Argentina |

Semifinals

| Teams | Date | Time (IST) | Winner | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | S1: France vs Spain | July 15 | 12:30 am | Spain | | S2: England vs Argentina | July 16 | 12:30 am | Argentina |

Final

| Teams | Date | Time (IST) | Winner | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Final: Spain vs Argentina | July 20 | 12:30 am | Spain |

Note: 'TBD' is an abbreviation of 'To be decided'. The knockout matches will determine which countries play against each other.

Published - June 25, 2026 04:42 pm IST