when does round of 32 start world cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup Round of 32 starts on Sunday, June 28, 2026, and runs through Friday, July 3, 2026.
Key timing
- Start date: Sunday, June 28, 2026.
- End date: Friday, July 3, 2026.
- The knockout stage begins right after the group stage finishes.
First match
The first Round of 32 match listed is South Africa vs Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28.
Schedule context
The full World Cup schedule places the Round of 32 before the Round of 16, which starts on July 4.
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Group stage | June 11-27 |
| Round of 32 | June 28-July 3 |
| Round of 16 | July 4-7 |