World Cup 2026 last 32: Best and worst games in the knockout stage including Brazil vs. Japan and Argentina vs. Cape Verde

After over two weeks of group-stage action - featuring an expanded 12 groups and 48 countries - the knockout stages of World Cup 2026 kicked off on Sunday night.

The nature of the tournament's expansion led to almost none of the international powerhouses being eliminated at the group stage, and the make-or-break moments are still to come.

With that in mind, the round of 32 has served up a number of intriguing fixtures, including Brazil vs. Japan, though a few duds have also filled the calendar.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the best and worst games in the World Cup's round of 32.

WORLD CUP 2026: LAST 32 BEST FIXTURES

BRAZIL VS. JAPAN (29 JUN, 6PM BST) - CONFIRMED

Reuniting several months on from a five-goal thriller in an October friendly, Brazil and Japan square off in a fascinating last-32 match in Houston on Monday evening.

The Samurai Blue took down the Selecao 3-2 back in the autumn, so revenge would be an additional reward for the five-time winners alongside a last-16 spot.

However, Japan also come into this game having won seven and drawn three of their last 10 matches - a run that includes a 1-0 victory over England in March - and they will be far from an easy opponent for Carlo Ancelotti's men.

ARGENTINA VS. CAPE VERDE (3 JUL, 11PM BST) - CONFIRMED

Lionel Messi vs. Vozinha - who could have foreseen that before the tournament kicked off?

By virtue of finishing second in Group H, debutants Cape Verde have the honour of facing the reigning champions in their inaugural knockout fixture.

The Blue Sharks have captured the hearts of neutrals this summer thanks to their underdog story, and all eyes will surely be on Hard Rock Stadium on Friday.

NETHERLANDS VS. MOROCCO (30 JUN, 2AM BST) - CONFIRMED

Netherlands will face Morocco at Monterrey Stadium on June 30 after topping Group F, with Japan and Sweden drawing with each other during the final round of group-stage fixtures.

One of three Mexican venues at the tournament, Monterrey Stadium will play host to a matchup between the seventh and eighth highest-ranked nations according to FIFA, representing the strength of the tie at a point where 32 teams still remain in the competition.

PORTUGAL VS. CROATIA (3 JUL, 12AM BST) - CONFIRMED

Portugal finished second in Group K after a 0-0 draw with Colombia on matchday three, securing a date at Toronto's BMO Field with the Group L runners-up.

After ending the group stage one point behind England following a 2-1 triumph over Ghana, Croatia are set to do battle with Cristiano Ronaldo's side at midnight on Friday UK time.

This clash is likely to be centred around the technicians in both teams' midfields, with Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic up against Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves.

WORLD CUP 2026: LAST 32 WORST FIXTURES

SOUTH AFRICA VS. CANADA (JUN 28, 8PM BST) - CONFIRMED

It feels bad writing this because one of the co-hosts catches a stray, but the 2026 World Cup's first confirmed round-of-32 tie is a prime example of how an expanded tournament dilutes the quality of the knockout stage.

The fact that this fixture at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28 has landed football fans with a less-than-inspiring contest is no surprise given that it will be fought between the runners-up of Group A and Group B - two of the weakest sections in the entire competition.

The tie should get some bonus points for having one of the hosts, though Canada will cross the border away from home and play this knockout clash on American soil, in front of 70,000 supporters in Inglewood.

SWITZERLAND VS. ALGERIA (JUL 3, 4AM BST) - CONFIRMED

After becoming the first side to defeat a host nation at this summer's tournament, Switzerland officially topped Group B ahead of Canada, setting up a last-32 tie with one of the eight best third-placed finishers.

That opponent is Riyad Mahrez's Algeria from Group J, who stumbled to a 2-1 victory over Jordan, before securing third after a 3-3 draw with Austria last time out.

Switzerland have been lacklustre without tournament icon Xherdan Shaqiri, and it seems that the A-Team may have lost their spot as the neutral entertainers this summer.