Four teams eliminated before the last day

The 2026 World Cup enters its knockout phase. This Monday, June 29, the round of 32 will be played, with three matches that will define the next qualifiers for the round of 16. Canada already secured its place after winning 1-0.

The day of Monday, June 29

The first duel pits Brazil against Japan at Houston Stadium at 11:00 am. Brazil starts as a favorite, but Japan is betting on speed and tactical order to surprise.

Later, Germany and Paraguay meet at Boston Stadium at 2:30 p.m. The match pits the German attack against the Paraguayan defensive solidity. The winner will remain alive in the tournament.

The closing will be at the Monterrey Stadium at 7:00 p.m., with the Netherlands and Morocco. A balanced clash that will deliver the last ticket of the day.

Each match is decisive. A victory maintains the World Cup illusion; a defeat, goodbye.

Broadcasts: Brazil vs Japan on ViX Premium World Pass. Germany vs Paraguay on Channel 5, Azteca 7, TUDN and ViX Premium. Netherlands vs Morocco on the same channels.

Mexico bets on Azteca’s height against Ecuador

With perfect progress in the group stage, Mexico has already secured its place in the direct eliminator. Now, Javier Aguirre’s team faces Ecuador with two key weapons: the Azteca Stadium and its 2,240 meters of altitude.

El Tri has not conceded a goal in the tournament and is looking to extend that streak. Their rival, Ecuador, has just surprisingly beaten Germany 2-1 and qualified as third in the group. The Ecuadorian press described Mexico as a dangerous rival, highlighting the experience of “Vasco” Aguirre, who leads the team for the third time in a World Cup.

Altitude factor: advantage for Mexico

More than 80,000 voices in the Santa Úrsula colossus will support the local team. But the atmosphere is not the only thing that works in favor of El Tri. The height of Mexico City, 2,240 meters above sea level, represents a physical challenge for Ecuador.

Sebastián Beccacece’s team was based in Ohio and has not competed at similar elevations during the tournament. His attempt to advance the trip to acclimatize was rejected; They will arrive in the capital just 24 hours before the duel. Sports specialists recommend, in the absence of time, the “arrive and leave” method to mitigate the effects of thin air.

Ecuador trusts in its figures who play in the Mexican league. Enner Valencia, forward for Pachuca, is the main striker of his team. Pedro Vite, Pumas midfielder, shone against Germany by qualifying for the next round.

The Mexican dream of reaching the “fifth game”—that is, the quarterfinals—is reborn at Azteca. Ecuador is the first obstacle.

Canada makes history at the 2026 World Cup

An injury-time goal from Stephen Eustaquio gave Canada a 1-0 victory over South Africa, securing their place in the round of 16 for the first time as hosts. The LAFC midfielder hit a right cross in the 90+2 minute, after a cross from Jacob Shaffelburg and a clearance from Ime Okon.

The match, played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, had Canada dominating. The Canadian fans filled the stands celebrating the historic victory. South Africa, which also advanced from the group stage for the first time in this edition, sought to respond in the complement. A shot by Oswin Appollis went wide in the 62nd minute, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi prevented David’s goal after a save by Williams from Tani Oluwaseyi. Promise David shot just wide in the 76th minute, and Jonathan David tested Williams two minutes later. Crépeau stopped another Appollis attempt in the 85th minute.

At 74 years and 79 days, South Africa coach Hugo Broos became the oldest coach to coach a direct elimination match in the history of the World Cup, surpassing Óscar Tabárez (71 years, 125 days in Russia 2018).

Canada now awaits in Houston, on July 4, the winner of the duel between the Netherlands and Morocco, who face each other today in Monterrey.

Referee note

FIFA appointed the Slovenian Slavko Vincic as referee for tomorrow’s match between Mexico and Ecuador, corresponding to the round of 32.

Netherlands-Morocco: high-voltage duel in Monterrey

The Sultana del Norte says goodbye to the World Cup with an intense match. Both teams arrive with seven points: the Netherlands leads its group after tying with Japan and beating Sweden and Tunisia; Morocco second of its own, only behind Brazil on goal difference. The record is even: two wins per side. In World Cups, they only met in 1994, with the Dutch victory 2-1. Ronald Koeman declared:

“Morocco is a strong rival, an early and high-level duel. We respect them, but we know how to compete with them. The best wins.”