LOS ANGELES — The expanded World Cup knockout stage is set to begin, with 32 teams advancing as the tournament shifts into its elimination phase following a dramatic and at times unpredictable group stage.
Action opens Sunday in Southern California, where Canada face South Africa, while co-host United States take on Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday in Santa Clara. Mexico, the third co-host, return to Mexico City to meet Ecuador on Tuesday.
Tournament favorites France will play Sweden in the New York area, with the winner advancing to face either Germany or Paraguay in the round of 16. Elsewhere, a slate of global matchups includes Senegal against Belgium, Morocco versus the Netherlands, and Brazil hosting Japan, as five-time champions look to assert themselves early in the knockout rounds.
African teams feature prominently in the bracket, with Ivory Coast playing Norway, Egypt facing Australia, Ghana meeting Colombia, and Algeria set to take on Switzerland. Cape Verde will challenge Argentina, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo go up against England. Other ties include Portugal versus Croatia and Austria against Spain.
While attention turns to the knockout stage, several teams were left reeling after narrowly missing out, including South Korea, whose elimination has drawn sharp criticism at home.
South Korea had appeared poised to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams but were undone by a shock 1-0 defeat to lower-ranked South Africa. Coach Hong Myung-bo’s decision to bench captain and star forward Son Heung-min proved controversial, with the move widely seen as a gamble that failed.
Local media described the exit as a national disappointment, with Yonhap News Agency calling it a “dismal” campaign and highlighting the team’s “humiliation” after falling short following days of uncertainty. Other outlets pointed to misfortune and tactical missteps as contributing factors.
Son, 33, who has scored 56 international goals and now plays for Los Angeles FC, is widely expected to have made his final World Cup appearance. Reports in South Korean media suggest the veteran forward may be nearing international retirement.
Iran also bowed out after a chaotic conclusion to the group stage. A 3-3 draw between Austria and Algeria in Group J secured both teams passage to the knockout round, eliminating Iran from contention.
With the field narrowed and stakes heightened, the tournament now enters its decisive phase, where a single loss will end teams’ hopes of lifting football’s biggest prize.
