World Cup 2026: Reasons for each for the final stage

Now we have completed 72 matches and have only 32 matches to play. Harry Kane and Thomas Tussell last week talked about the World Cup being like two separate tournaments. The first phase came to an end, and what a joy it was - records were broken, unexpected stories were full, a golden shoe race took place, and there were a few hiccups along the way. Humans have clashed with numerical calculations and shown that the fourth-placed teams in three places should have earned four points. This "second round" of the shoot fest begins Sunday night. It's a classic knockout, full of your big names, dark horses and some story style. The finale has some fascinating snippets and enjoyable matches, and here are the reasons why you should watch each of the 16 matches.

South Africa vs Canada (20:00 BST)

This is new terrain for both countries, and they have reached a level they have never crossed before. Even if Canada moves out of its own land, many fans will visit Los Angeles to visit.

Brazil vs Japan (18:00 BST)

Stars vs. Systems. A match with the World Cup in mind - Selakao Japan Samurai Blue. Heavy favorites Japan beat the five-time champions 3-2 last October, and will look to bounce back from a 4-1 group stage defeat in 2006.

Germany vs Paraguay (21:30 BST)

After a 1-0 defeat in the last 16 in 2002, Paraguay will face Germany again in a tie, with the winner looking to face France in the future.

Netherlands v Morocco (02:00 BST)

This could be the best match of the circuit. Tie Netherlands, widely expected to win the tournament, face Morocco, a team they reached in the semi-finals four years ago, and they have been paired with 18-year-old wonderkid Ayoub Bouati in midfield.

Ivory Coast vs Norway (18:00 BST)

Very confirmed power and stable material. It was against Erling Holland and an Ivory Coast defense that had not committed an offense in 10 qualifiers. The competition is sure to bring Norwegian fans to Dallas with 'Viking Rowing'.

France v Sweden (22:00 BST)

We all know France's attacking resources, but at the other end, there is a great challenge between Victor Jokers and Arsenal team-mate William Saliba. Let's see who is the best among these Premier League champions.

Mexico vs Ecuador (02:00 BST)

Mexico in Azteca is a special case, and may be convenient to assess for an early morning start. Also, you can write a research report on England's potential 16th opponent before breakfast.

England vs DR Congo (17:00 BST)

For Thomas Tuchel's team, it was the only family friendly match for the Three Tigers.

Belgium v ​​Senegal (21:00 BST)

Both teams left the best of the group stages behind. You can see some flashes of Belgium's golden generation, and Senegal's performances, although they qualified from third place as a powerhouse, they scored 8 goals in their games, and their foreign bans are their background.

USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (01:00 BST)

It's not the 4th of July, but the Co-op is in a positive mood in San Francisco Bay, on the back of a narrow defeat against Turkey in their last home game. They face Bosnia, who qualified ahead of Italy.

Spain v Austria (20:00 BST)

A chance to see how they clash again and again - again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again.

Portugal vs Croatia (00:00 BST)

Is this the last dance? We won't see a 40-year-old Luka Modric or a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo at a World Cup again, so there's a chance one of their World Cup careers will end prematurely.

Switzerland vs Algeria (04:00 BST)

13 World Cups, only 4 exiting the group stage. The Swiss are always there, but Algeria's 20-year-old Ibrahim Massa, nicknamed 'Masadona', is a chance to get their first knockout win over a player.

Australia vs Egypt (19:00 BST)

Mohamed Salah's effort to reach Egypt's goalscoring record is a fascinating piece, especially if the man he's looking for - Hossam Hasan, his manager, who missed 12 minutes in his last match - has a dent in his record.

Argentina vs Cape Verde (23:00 BST)

Six-goal Lionel Messi's future may appear to be the biggest clash of the World Cup against 40-year-old Cape Verde stopper Vocina, but the veteran keeper already has two clean sheets and has become a national icon this summer.

Colombia vs Ghana (02:30 BST)

The sights and challenges of a World Cup are always great, and this clash should be full of emotion in Kansas City. At Colombia's games, their passionate fans are clad in yellow and chanting the national anthem, and Ghana's supporters are protesting.

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