The opening days of the 2026 World Cup knockout stage delivered stoppage-time drama and two penalty shootout upsets, sending four nations into the round of 16. Canada, Brazil, Paraguay and Morocco all secured their places by Monday night, with the latter two eliminating former champions Germany and the Netherlands from the tournament. The results have already reshaped the bracket, setting up a confirmed last-16 meeting between Canada and Morocco on 4 July in Houston, while Paraguay and Brazil await the winners of Tuesday’s round-of-32 ties.

Canada’s progress was sealed in the dying moments of their match against South Africa on Sunday, when Stephen Eustáquio struck from distance to earn a 1–0 victory and the country’s first-ever appearance in the last 16. Brazil followed on Monday with a 2–1 comeback win over Japan in Houston. Kaishu Sano had given the Asian side a first-half lead, but Casemiro equalised after the break and Gabriel Martinelli scored deep into added time to avoid extra time. The real shocks, however, came in the evening session. Paraguay held Germany to a 1–1 draw in Boston, with Julio Enciso’s goal cancelled out by Kai Havertz, before goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved two penalties in a 4–3 shootout triumph. Hours later in Monterrey, Morocco matched the feat, drawing 1–1 with the Netherlands and prevailing 3–2 on penalties to eliminate another European favourite.

Viewed from South America, Paraguay’s victory is being framed as the standout result of the round so far, returning the Albirroja to the last 16 for the first time since 2010. In North Africa, Moroccan media are celebrating a second consecutive deep run after the 2022 semi-final, while European analysts note the lopsided draw that has concentrated several traditional powers — including France, Spain, Portugal and Croatia — in one half of the bracket. The other half, by contrast, features Argentina, Brazil and England, meaning the defending champions would not meet either of those rivals before a potential semi-final. Argentina, who topped Group J, begin their knockout campaign on Friday against debutants Cabo Verde in Miami, with a possible round-of-16 date against Australia or Egypt awaiting in Atlanta.

The round of 32 continues through Friday with 12 places still up for grabs. Tuesday’s schedule pits France against Sweden and Côte d’Ivoire against Norway, with the winners to face Paraguay and Brazil respectively, while co-hosts Mexico meet Ecuador in the Azteca Stadium for the right to play England or DR Congo. Further heavyweight clashes loom later in the week, including Portugal–Croatia and Spain–Austria. The first confirmed last-16 tie, Canada versus Morocco, kicks off at 14:00 local time on Saturday at Houston Stadium, launching a four-day stretch that will whittle the field from 16 to eight by 7 July.