Soccer
\n Your MLS guide to the FIFA World Cup Round of 32
\n <\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\nThe 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> has entered the single-elimination knockout phase, beginning with the Round of 32.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\nFrom the record 45 MLS players<\/a> named to World Cup rosters, nearly three dozen remain in contention.<\/p>\nHere’s who they will play \u2013 and when \u2013 as they look to keep their World Cup dreams alive.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\nThe knockout round of the World Cup is locked in. \ud83d\udd12 pic.twitter.com\/cLyUzc300E<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\nCanada vs. South Africa<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n- When:<\/strong> Sunday, June 28 | 3 pm ET<\/li>\n
- Where:<\/strong> Los Angeles Stadium | Inglewood, California<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Orlando City<\/a> goalkeeper Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a> and Toronto FC<\/a> fullback Richie Laryea<\/a> have started all three Group Stage matches during Canada<\/a>‘s historic run to the Round of 32.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\nLAFC<\/a> midfielder Stephen Eust\u00e1quio<\/a> has worn the captain’s armband for Les Rouges, who finished second in Group B. Black & Gold teammates Mathieu Choini\u00e8re<\/a> and Jacob Shaffelburg<\/a> have seen time off the bench, as has Toronto midfielder Jonathan Osorio<\/a>,\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nLike Canada, South Africa also booked their first-ever berth in the knockout stages.<\/p>\n
\nChicago Fire FC<\/a> defender\u00a0Mbekezeli Mbokazi<\/a> has anchored Bafana Bafana’s backline with three 90-minute performances.\u00a0Philadelphia Union<\/a> defender Olwethu Makhanya<\/a> has yet to feature at the tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nGermany vs. Paraguay<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n- When:<\/strong> Monday, June 29 | 4:30 pm ET<\/li>\n
- Where:<\/strong> Boston Stadium | Foxborough, Massachusetts<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> midfielder Andr\u00e9s Cubas<\/a> played the full 90 minutes in all three of Paraguay’s Group D matches as they earned one of eight third-place spots in the Round of 32.<\/p>\n\nAtlanta United<\/a> midfielder Miguel Almir\u00f3n<\/a> has also featured for La Albirroja, who are at their first World Cup since 2010. Orlando City<\/a> midfielder Braian Ojeda<\/a> remains an unused substitute.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nParaguay will come up against four-time World Cup champions Germany, who boast stars Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\nFrance vs. Sweden<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n- When:<\/strong> Tuesday, June 30 | 5 pm ET<\/li>\n
- Where:<\/strong> New York\/New Jersey Stadium | East Rutherford, New Jersey<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\n
FC Dallas<\/a> defender Herman Johansson<\/a> and Sweden finished third in Group F with four points.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThey opened the tournament with a decisive\u00a05-1 win<\/a> vs. Tunisia, before suffering a loss to the Netherlands by the same scoreline and settling for a\u00a01-1 draw<\/a> against Japan.\u00a0<\/p>\nNow, Johansson & Co. will look to shock World Cup contenders France. They’ll face the likes of Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 and Michael Olise.<\/p>\n
United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n- When:<\/strong> Wednesday, July 1 | 8 pm ET<\/li>\n
- Where:<\/strong> San Francisco Bay Area Stadium | Santa Clara, California<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
The United States<\/a> reached the knockout stage after topping Group D with six points.<\/p>\nNew York City FC<\/a> goalkeeper Matt Freese<\/a> backstopped the USMNT in convincing victories over Paraguay and Australia, while\u00a0Charlotte FC<\/a> center back and team captain Tim Ream<\/a> anchored the backline.\u00a0<\/p>\nVancouver Whitecaps midfielder\u00a0Sebastian Berhalter<\/a> started the final Group Stage match vs. T\u00fcrkiye and tallied his first World Cup goal and assist<\/a>, after\u00a0coming off the bench against Paraguay and Australia.<\/p>\nAs tournament co-hosts, the US are dreaming of a deep tournament run. It all starts vs. a Bosnia and Herzegovina side that finished third in Group B and features\u00a0New England Revolution<\/a> homegrown product Esmir Bajraktarevi\u0107.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\nPortugal vs. Croatia<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n- When:<\/strong> Thursday, July 2 | 7 pm ET<\/li>\n
- Where:<\/strong> Toronto Stadium | Toronto, Ontario<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
FC Dallas<\/a> striker Petar Musa<\/a> and Orlando City winger Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a> helped Croatia book their spot in the Round of 32 as second-place finishers in Group L.<\/p>\n\nMusa scored his first World Cup goal<\/a>, an equalizer in what would be a 4-2 loss<\/a> against England, while Pa\u0161ali\u0107’s slick backheel<\/a> helped set up Ante Budimir for the lone goal in a 1-0 win<\/a> vs. Panama.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nNow, Croatia face a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal side that finished second in Group K. The Vatreni have punched well above their weight in recent World Cups, making the 2018 final and 2022 semifinals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Australia vs. Egypt<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n- When:<\/strong> Friday, July 3 | 2 pm ET<\/li>\n
- Where:<\/strong> Dallas Stadium | Arlington, Texas<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
Australia have qualified for their third-ever World Cup knockout phase, finishing second in Group D following a 0-0 draw<\/a> against Paraguay.<\/p>\n\nColorado Rapids<\/a>\u00a0center back\u00a0Lucas Herrington<\/a> made history<\/a> in the aforementioned match, with the 18-year-old becoming the youngest-ever\u00a0MLS<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Socceroos<\/a> player to start a World Cup game.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nNYCFC midfielder Aiden O’Neill<\/a> played the full 90 minutes in all three of Australia’s Group Stage matches, reinforcing his importance to Tony Popovic’s squad.<\/p>\nThey’ll face Mo Salah-led Egypt, who last made the World Cup knockouts in 1934.<\/p>\n
Argentina vs. Cape Verde<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\n\n- When:<\/strong> Friday, July 3 | 6 pm ET<\/li>\n
- Where:<\/strong> Miami Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Inter Miami<\/a> superstar Lionel Messi<\/a> is atop the World Cup Golden Boot race with six goals, scoring his\u00a0first-ever<\/a> World Cup hat trick in a 3-0 win<\/a> against Algeria and becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer<\/a> with a brace against Austria.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nInter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul<\/a> is an important part of the midfield for the defending World Cup champions, who finished atop Group J and hope to join Italy (1934, ’38) and Brazil (1958, ’62) as the only back-to-back World Cup winners.<\/p>\nCape Verde have been the Cinderella story of the Group Stage, and Columbus Crew<\/a> defender Steven Moreira<\/a> has played an integral role.<\/p>\nMoreira played the full 90 minutes in a shocking 0-0 draw<\/a> against Spain and a comeback 2-2 draw<\/a> vs. Uruguay. Then, the 2024 MLS Defender of the Year was a late substitute in a 0-0 draw<\/a> vs. Saudi Arabia as the Blue Sharks finished second in Group H.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
The 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> has entered the single-elimination knockout phase, beginning with the Round of 32.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n From the record 45 MLS players<\/a> named to World Cup rosters, nearly three dozen remain in contention.<\/p>\n Here’s who they will play \u2013 and when \u2013 as they look to keep their World Cup dreams alive.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The knockout round of the World Cup is locked in. \ud83d\udd12 pic.twitter.com\/cLyUzc300E<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Orlando City<\/a> goalkeeper Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a> and Toronto FC<\/a> fullback Richie Laryea<\/a> have started all three Group Stage matches during Canada<\/a>‘s historic run to the Round of 32.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n LAFC<\/a> midfielder Stephen Eust\u00e1quio<\/a> has worn the captain’s armband for Les Rouges, who finished second in Group B. Black & Gold teammates Mathieu Choini\u00e8re<\/a> and Jacob Shaffelburg<\/a> have seen time off the bench, as has Toronto midfielder Jonathan Osorio<\/a>,\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Like Canada, South Africa also booked their first-ever berth in the knockout stages.<\/p>\n Chicago Fire FC<\/a> defender\u00a0Mbekezeli Mbokazi<\/a> has anchored Bafana Bafana’s backline with three 90-minute performances.\u00a0Philadelphia Union<\/a> defender Olwethu Makhanya<\/a> has yet to feature at the tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> midfielder Andr\u00e9s Cubas<\/a> played the full 90 minutes in all three of Paraguay’s Group D matches as they earned one of eight third-place spots in the Round of 32.<\/p>\n Atlanta United<\/a> midfielder Miguel Almir\u00f3n<\/a> has also featured for La Albirroja, who are at their first World Cup since 2010. Orlando City<\/a> midfielder Braian Ojeda<\/a> remains an unused substitute.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Paraguay will come up against four-time World Cup champions Germany, who boast stars Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n FC Dallas<\/a> defender Herman Johansson<\/a> and Sweden finished third in Group F with four points.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n They opened the tournament with a decisive\u00a05-1 win<\/a> vs. Tunisia, before suffering a loss to the Netherlands by the same scoreline and settling for a\u00a01-1 draw<\/a> against Japan.\u00a0<\/p>\n Now, Johansson & Co. will look to shock World Cup contenders France. They’ll face the likes of Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 and Michael Olise.<\/p>\n The United States<\/a> reached the knockout stage after topping Group D with six points.<\/p>\n New York City FC<\/a> goalkeeper Matt Freese<\/a> backstopped the USMNT in convincing victories over Paraguay and Australia, while\u00a0Charlotte FC<\/a> center back and team captain Tim Ream<\/a> anchored the backline.\u00a0<\/p>\n Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder\u00a0Sebastian Berhalter<\/a> started the final Group Stage match vs. T\u00fcrkiye and tallied his first World Cup goal and assist<\/a>, after\u00a0coming off the bench against Paraguay and Australia.<\/p>\n As tournament co-hosts, the US are dreaming of a deep tournament run. It all starts vs. a Bosnia and Herzegovina side that finished third in Group B and features\u00a0New England Revolution<\/a> homegrown product Esmir Bajraktarevi\u0107.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n FC Dallas<\/a> striker Petar Musa<\/a> and Orlando City winger Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a> helped Croatia book their spot in the Round of 32 as second-place finishers in Group L.<\/p>\n Musa scored his first World Cup goal<\/a>, an equalizer in what would be a 4-2 loss<\/a> against England, while Pa\u0161ali\u0107’s slick backheel<\/a> helped set up Ante Budimir for the lone goal in a 1-0 win<\/a> vs. Panama.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Now, Croatia face a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal side that finished second in Group K. The Vatreni have punched well above their weight in recent World Cups, making the 2018 final and 2022 semifinals.\u00a0<\/p>\n Australia have qualified for their third-ever World Cup knockout phase, finishing second in Group D following a 0-0 draw<\/a> against Paraguay.<\/p>\n Colorado Rapids<\/a>\u00a0center back\u00a0Lucas Herrington<\/a> made history<\/a> in the aforementioned match, with the 18-year-old becoming the youngest-ever\u00a0MLS<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Socceroos<\/a> player to start a World Cup game.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n NYCFC midfielder Aiden O’Neill<\/a> played the full 90 minutes in all three of Australia’s Group Stage matches, reinforcing his importance to Tony Popovic’s squad.<\/p>\n They’ll face Mo Salah-led Egypt, who last made the World Cup knockouts in 1934.<\/p>\n Inter Miami<\/a> superstar Lionel Messi<\/a> is atop the World Cup Golden Boot race with six goals, scoring his\u00a0first-ever<\/a> World Cup hat trick in a 3-0 win<\/a> against Algeria and becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer<\/a> with a brace against Austria.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul<\/a> is an important part of the midfield for the defending World Cup champions, who finished atop Group J and hope to join Italy (1934, ’38) and Brazil (1958, ’62) as the only back-to-back World Cup winners.<\/p>\n Cape Verde have been the Cinderella story of the Group Stage, and Columbus Crew<\/a> defender Steven Moreira<\/a> has played an integral role.<\/p>\n Moreira played the full 90 minutes in a shocking 0-0 draw<\/a> against Spain and a comeback 2-2 draw<\/a> vs. Uruguay. Then, the 2024 MLS Defender of the Year was a late substitute in a 0-0 draw<\/a> vs. Saudi Arabia as the Blue Sharks finished second in Group H.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Canada vs. South Africa<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Germany vs. Paraguay<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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France vs. Sweden<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Portugal vs. Croatia<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Australia vs. Egypt<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Argentina vs. Cape Verde<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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