Key takeaways from Round of 32 stage at World Cup 2026

Published 4 July 2026 · sports

The World Cup, in case we needed reminding, doesn’t truly get going until the knockout rounds. No making up for an off day. No second

The World Cup, in case we needed reminding, doesn’t truly get going until the knockout rounds. No making up for an off day. No second chances. Crank up the intensity. Stale Solbakken apparently got it right – save your starters for the second round. Seven UEFA teams advanced from the Round of 32, among them Solbakken’s Norway, sufficiently rested after basically conceding Group I to France. Tri-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States made it three CONCACAF representatives in the Round of 16 for the second time, and the first since 2014 (when it was Costa Rica, Mexico, and the US). Four South American countries got through: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay. Paraguay’s methods were un-Solbakken – all-out effort to squeeze through the group stage, followed by a quick turnaround and cross-country fight to meet Germany in Foxborough, Massachusetts. But La Albirroja had enough left in the tank to become the first team to ever beat Die Mannschaft on penalties at the World Cup. Les Bleus lead the way France’s front four – Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Kylian Mbappe, and Michael Olise – proved unstoppable in the group stage. Furthermore, Bradley Barcola replaced Doue and upped the pace in a 3-0 victory over Sweden in the last 32. Les Bleus’ only problem could be an abundance of attackers. Can coach Didier Deschamps keep everyone, including Rayan Cherki, happy?

Europeans set standards Belgium, England, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland joined France and Norway as winners in the Round of 32. Belgium and England had to rally against African opposition. The Belgians were 2-0 down against Senegal before Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku sent the match into extra time, with Tielemans’ penalty kick deciding the contest at 3-2. England was tested by DR Congo before Harry Kane’s goals provided a 2-1 win. Portugal edged Croatia 2-1, as we learned a chip in the World Cup ball can register a hair’s breadth touch, which a VAR review used to strike off a Croatian equaliser 15-plus minutes into added time. Demise of traditional World Cup powers Add Germany to the list of declining World Cup powers, following Italy (who failed to qualify) and Uruguay (out after the group stage). Until recently, Die Mannschaft looked primed to challenge for a fifth title. Julian Nagelsmann, 38, and a mix of veterans – led by 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – and youngsters looked like they would lead a revival. Instead, Germany shockingly went down to Paraguay on penalty kicks, the first time that has happened in the World Cup, and the first penalty kick loss for Germany since the 1976 Euros. Jonathan Tah’s header could have done the trick, but goalkeeper interference was detected by a VAR review.