Iran Out as Africa Sends a Record Nine Teams into World Cup 2026 Round of 32
The 2026 World Cup knockout stage opens with South Africa vs Canada as nine African nations reach the Round of 32 and Iran is eliminated after Algeria clinched a final third-placed spot; the full bracket is set and predictions hint Canada as the favorite to advance, with the rest of the Round of 32 fixtures announced across venues, keeping alive the possibility of a Messi–Ronaldo final.