The 2026 World Cup’s round of 32 concluded on July 3, with three matches deciding the final places in the round of 16. Thirteen teams had already advanced. Argentina and Colombia represented South America’s remaining contenders, while Egypt and Ghana were among the African sides seeking to advance. The expanded knockout format places a round of 32 before the round of 16.
The schedule listed Australia against Egypt in Dallas for 2 p.m. Eastern time. Egypt advanced after the match was decided on penalties, information from subsequent tournament results coverage. The fixture was one of three games staged across the United States that day. The other two were scheduled for Miami and Kansas City.
Argentina faced Cabo Verde in Miami Gardens at 6 p.m. Eastern time. The Associated Press later reported that Argentina won 3-2 in extra time after Cabo Verde pushed the defending champions close. The result secured Argentina’s place in the round of 16.
Colombia met Ghana in Kansas City at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. Colombia defeated Ghana to reach the last 16, according to Malay Mail’s tournament results coverage. Together, the three fixtures completed the round-of-32 schedule and determined which teams advanced to the next knockout stage.
The matches shaped the immediate path through the tournament. Egypt and Colombia advanced, while Argentina survived a demanding extra-time contest. High-stakes encounters between African and European teams have drawn attention in recent years, as seen when Switzerland faced Algeria in a impressive knockout match, detailed in this report on a basic World Cup clash.
With the round of 32 complete, attention shifted to the final 16, where every match would determine which teams remained in contention for the title. On July 3, the schedule covered Dallas, Miami Gardens and Kansas City, bringing the knockout stage to three U.S. host cities in one day.
For Spanish audiences, Argentina and Colombia’s performances carry particular resonance, given the strong cultural and sporting ties with South America. The three fixtures were part of a broader knockout schedule that also included Canada-Morocco and Paraguay-France. Their results set the field for the round of 16 and opened the next chapter of the tournament.
