The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been an extended affair as the football body increased the number of teams from 32 in 2022 to 48 from this edition onward. This has also resulted in the addition of a Round of 32 to the knockout stages for the first time. Although most of the results were as expected, the matches were thrilling for both neutral watchers and fans. As the Round of 32 comes to an end with Colombia’s 1-0 win over Ghana, here we look at the major talking points from this round.

1. Germany and Spain: Contrasting fortunes of two champions seeking redemption

While Spain won the World Cup held in South Africa in 2010, Germany did so in the very next edition held in Brazil in 2014. However, both of these teams had failed to win any of their knockout games since winning their respective titles. After qualifying for this edition’s knockouts, both teams were looking to change their fortunes. Spain were able to break free from their curse when they thrashed Austria 3-0. However, the Germans fell to Paraguay in penalties after the match ended 1-1 at the end of regulation time, which was the first major upset in the round. The wait for a first knockout win will have to continue till the next edition for Die Mannschaft. On a side note, Italy, who failed to qualify this year, also have not won a knockout match since they won in 2006.

2. Golden Boot race: Superstars lead the pack

The race for the Golden Boot awarded to the top scorer at this year’s World Cup is off to an exciting start. Lionel Messi leads the pack with 7 goals so far and is closely followed by Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembele. Messi (19) and Mbappe (18) are also locking horns in a fight to become the top goalscorer in World Cup history. Erling Haaland, who is playing his first World Cup, has become the first player since Sándor Kocsis of Hungary, in 1954, to score in his first three appearances. Not one to be held back, Harry Kane has become the leading goalscorer for England in World Cups with 13 goals, including two in their Round of 32 match against Croatia.

3. A World Cup swansong for one of the greats — Luka Modric

At the age of 40, Luka Modric bids adieu to the World Cup after Croatia lost to Portugal in the Round of 32. This was his 39th game at a major tournament for Croatia, which is the second-most for a European outfield footballer, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who was coincidentally the captain of the opposition. Modric was one of the major forces behind the Croatia squad that finished runners-up in 2018 and third in 2022, in what is considered the country’s golden generation of footballers. He also won the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament at the 2018 World Cup.

4. Longest streak without conceding a goal — Unai Simon

Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon etched his name in history after La Roja blanked Ralf Rangnick’s Austria 3-0, for the longest consecutive streak without conceding a goal. The last time Simon conceded a goal was during the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 match against Japan, when Ao Tanaka scored in the 51st minute, which Spain lost 2-1. After the Austria match, it has now been 519 consecutive minutes since Simon has let a goal in. He broke the record set by Italy’s Walter Zenga of 517 minutes, while the record for a Spanish keeper was Iker Casillas’ 476 minutes. In addition, Spain and co-hosts Mexico are the only teams yet to concede a goal in this edition of the World Cup.

5. Co-hosts continue their march forward

All three co-hosts — Mexico, the U.S.A. and Canada — won their respective matches and overcame the first knockout hurdle at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Canada overcame South Africa 1-0 in the first match of the Round of 32. Mexico’s 2-0 win over 10-man Ecuador was their first win in a knockout game at the World Cups since 1986, which helped them end an eight-match streak of being eliminated in the first round of knockouts, the longest record in history. USA defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, although goalscorer Folarin Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute. He became only the fourth player after Garrincha, Ronaldinho and Zidane to receive a red card after scoring a goal in a knockout match.

6. A fairy-tale for the ages — Cabo Verde wins hearts but loses to Argentina in ET

When Cabo Verde qualified for the World Cup, no one would have predicted that a nation of approximately five lakh people and with a FIFA ranking of 67 would put up much of a fight. But Cabo Verde showed that they were on a mission to prove their credentials right from the very first match. The “minnows” held their own and nullified Spain’s attacking threat and came out with a 0-0 draw. No one had expected Cabo Verde put up a fight against defending champions Argentina, but what ensued was a tale for the history books. Finally, it took a 111th-minute own goal from Diney Borges to end their dream run. What is even more interesting is that no side was able to secure a win over them in 90 minutes throughout their campaign even after going head-to-head against football giants such as Argentina, Spain and Uruguay.

7. Asia suffers another poor showing at the World’s biggest stage

A record nine Asian teams had qualified for the World Cup this year, with eight assured spots for the AFC and Iraq claiming their spot through the qualifiers. However, what followed was a disappointing campaign. Only Japan and Australia managed to make it out of the group stages, while the other seven teams were knocked out. Japan got off to a bright start in their match against Brazil and took a lead, which they managed to hold on till the 56th minute. It looked like the match was heading towards extra time, except for a 96th-minute goal from Gabriel Martinelli that broke Japan’s hearts. Australia and Egypt locked horns in a match that was too close to call. Mo Salah’s Egypt finally knocked the last Asian team out on penalties. As for African teams, of the record nine teams to qualify, only two — Morocco and Egypt — remain in the competition.

8. Can anyone stop France’s attacking juggernaut?

France possesses one of the best attacks at this year’s World Cup with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise, among others. And their showing at this World Cup has been nothing short of impeccable. France have already scored 13 goals in just four matches, including a 3-0 drubbing of Sweden in the Round of 32. Furthermore, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé, with six and four goals respectively, are among the top five goalscorers in this tournament. No other country has more than one player in the top 10. With the red-hot form that these two stars are in, any defence is set to have nightmares before they face them.

Published – July 04, 2026 03:06 pm IST

Ghana’s Prince Adu reacts after the World Cup round of 32 match between Colombia and Ghana in Kansas City
| Photo Credit: AP