Soccer
Five things that could happen in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32
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Canada got the knockout round off to a bang on Sunday night as their late, late 1-0 win over South Africa means they are the first nation through to the last sixteen at the 2026 World Cup.
Fifteen more ties will now take place over the next week to determine the line-up for the next round, with some mouth-watering encounters to look forward to.
DAZN News looks at five things that could happen during the Round of 32 in North America.
Lionel Messi’s greatest World Cup moments
Japan wins its first-ever knockout game
Brazil vs. Japan is probably one of the most anticipated ties of the round, and not just because it screams 1995 Umbro Cup vibes - if you know, you know.
The Asian side are argibaly one of the most improved nations tournament-to-tournament, and has shown in North America they are a tough nut to crack by going undefeated.
They don't just sit back and soak pressure either; the Japanese have some very talented individuals who keep the ball well and have a real attacking verve to them.
Will it be enough to win a first-ever knockout game? Well, we've seen this isn't the best Brazil team, despite some obvious superstar individuals and an elite manager, so it's a game full of possibilities.
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All three co-hosts into the final sixteen
Tournaments are always better off if the hosts get as far as possible, and there's a genuine possibility that all three hosts will make the last 16 and keep the party going.
Canada is already there thanks to their victory over South Africa, so it's now up to Mexico and the US to complete the job.
The Mexicans are yet to concede a goal, and will fancy keeping that going against an erratic Ecuador.
As for the US, they'll carry their momentum into a clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina, thinking they can carry on through to the last 16.
The question is, which one will go furthest?
Ronaldo to actually score a knockout goal
Another game to look out for this week is Portugal vs Croatia, as two old Real Madrid teammates go head to head in what really will be the last dance for either Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric.
However, Ronaldo will be focused on doing something even he hasn't done in his illustrious football career, and that's scoring a goal in a World Cup knockout round.
Unbelievably, for someone who's netted nearly 1000 times, he's never done it at this stage of the competition.
But this is Ronaldo, and surely the script is written?
Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images
Messi to continue breaking the records
As for his long-term rival, the last 32 presents an opportunity for him to keep breaking the records he's set in the group phase.
Not to want to count Cape Verde out, but Messi must be licking his lips at the thought of extending his run of scoring in seven consecutive World Cup games as well as holding Kylian Mbappe at bay to go even further ahead in the all-time goalscoring ranks.
A Golden Boot could be the last tick in his box.
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Who's the real 'dark horse'?
Everyone loves a dark horse at a World Cup, but it's been hard to judge if we've found one yet, thanks to the expanded group stage.
So therefore, now is the round for someone to take on the tournament staplehold and live up to the billing.
Morocco dumping out the Netherlands would put them in that conversation, while others have fancied Senegal, who take on Belgium.
Perhaps, maybe Sweden could really put their name into the territory by eliminating favourites France? Now that would be something.
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