July 5 (THEWILL) — The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup promised more teams, more stories and, perhaps, more upsets. Few, however, expected the Round of 32 to become a graveyard of certainty.
For football’s traditional powerhouses, what was expected to be a routine passage into the second week of the knockout stage became an exhausting fight for survival. Giants staggered, favourites wobbled and underdogs refused to play their assigned roles.
By the end of the round, the biggest names in world football were still standing, but only just.
In Miami, defending champions Argentina were pushed to the absolute limit by World Cup debutants Cabo Verde. Lionel Messi gave La Albiceleste an early advantage before Deroy Duarte levelled for the African side. Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead in extra time, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to produce a sensational equaliser that stunned the Hard Rock Stadium.
It took a fortunate, deflected header from Cristian Romero to finally separate the teams in a dramatic 3-2 victory after 120 gruelling minutes.
Just as qualification for the next round, the Round of 16, was all that mattered to Argentina, Cabo Verde made a historic statement by taking the world champions the distance and announcing their arrival on football’s biggest stage.
Belgium endured an equally harrowing evening in Seattle. The Red Devils found themselves two goals down against Senegal with just minutes remaining before Romelu Lukaku and captain Youri Tielemans inspired a remarkable comeback to force extra time. A stoppage-time penalty eventually sealed a 3-2 victory, rescuing a team that had spent much of the evening staring at elimination.
Germany also discovered there are no easy matches at this World Cup, needing a penalty shootout to edge past a resilient Paraguay.
Not every heavyweight escaped.
The Netherlands became the biggest casualty of the round, falling to Morocco on penalties after a fiercely contested 1-1 draw. The Atlas Lions once again demonstrated why their remarkable run to the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago was no fluke, eliminating one of Europe’s football heavyweights with another composed knockout performance.
If the Round of 32 delivered one unmistakable message, it was this: reputation no longer guarantees comfort.
The expanded tournament has widened football’s competitive landscape. Nations once considered outsiders now possess the organisation, tactical discipline and technical quality to push even the world’s elite to their limits.
The era of comfortable knockout victories appears to be fading.
Now comes the stage where there are no underdogs left to cushion the favourites.
The Round of 16 has produced one of the strongest knockout line-ups in recent World Cup history, bringing together former champions, continental powers and emerging contenders in a series of heavyweight encounters.
Portugal and Spain renew one of international football’s fiercest rivalries in Dallas, where Cristiano Ronaldo continues his pursuit of another defining chapter in an already extraordinary career.
Five-time world champions Brazil face an ambitious Norway side in New Jersey, with the Scandinavians looking capable of producing another famous upset.
England travel to Mexico City to meet El Tri inside what promises to be a hostile atmosphere at the iconic Azteca Stadium, where the home crowd could prove as influential as the players themselves.
Belgium, still recovering from their dramatic escape against Senegal, now face tournament co-hosts the United States in Seattle, where home support and growing confidence make the Americans dangerous opponents.
Elsewhere, Colombia meet Switzerland in Vancouver, while France’s reward for their comfortable victory over Sweden is a meeting with surprise package Paraguay.
Canada and Morocco clash in Houston in what may be the most evenly balanced fixture of the round, pitting the momentum of the co-hosts against an African side that has become one of world football’s most respected knockout specialists.
Argentina’s reward for surviving Cabo Verde is another difficult assignment against Egypt in Atlanta, where Lionel Messi faces a Pharaohs side reaching this stage with belief and nothing to lose.
Eight matches.
There are very few obvious favourites.
Even fewer guaranteed winners. That is the beauty of this World Cup. The expanded format has not diluted the competition it has sharpened it.
The weaker sides have already challenged the established order, while the survivors now face opponents every bit as capable of ending their dreams.
From this point onward, there are no gentle paths to the trophy.
Only giants standing in each other’s way.
The Round of 32 tested their resolve.
The Round of 16 will test their greatness.
