The world’s biggest sporting event is heading into its most dramatic stretch as the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters the knockout rounds and the race for soccer’s most coveted trophy narrows to a handful of contenders. With theexpanded48-teamformat delivering surprises, upsets and historic moments, the final weeks promise to provide even more excitement.
Traditional powers such as Brazil, Germany, England and the Netherlands remain among the favorites after surviving the grueling group stage. Brazil looked every bit the title contender after dominant performances in group play and entered the knockout rounds carrying tremendous momentum.
Germany also advanced despite criticism that they have yet to play their best football, while England once again finds itself among the teams expected to make a deep run.
One of the tournament’s biggest stories has been Canada. The co-host nation captured the imagination of its fans by advancing beyond the group stage and earning its first-ever World Cup knockout victory.
Canada’sdramatic1-0win over South Africa on a late goal from Stephen Eustáquio turned the Canadians into one of the tournament’s feelgood stories and a dangerous underdog moving forward. The new 48-team format also created unprecedented parity.
Severalgroupscamedown to tiebreakers and goal differential, withthird-placeteams still earning advancement opportunities under FIFA’s expanded system. The larger tournament has produced more competitive matches and allowed emerging soccer nations to shine on the global stage.
Among the standout performers so far have been Brazil’s veteran stars, the disciplined Dutch squad and a Japanese team that continues to prove it belongs among the world’s elite after another impressive tournament showing. Morocco has also continued the momentum it built during its historic run in the 2022 World Cup, once again demonstrating that African nations can compete with soccer’s traditional powers.
As the tournament moves deeper into the knockout bracket, oddsmakers and analysts continue to favor Brazil, England, France and Argentina as the most likely champions. However, the unpredictable nature of this World Cup has left the door open for another Cinderella run.
The knockout stage will continue through mid-July before culminating with the championship match at MetLife Stadium on July 19. The final weeks are expected to deliver the kind of drama that has made the FIFA World Cup the most watched sporting event on the planet, as nations battle for the right to lift soccer’s ultimate prize.