Published on 6/25/2026
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Last update: 12:34 (Mecca time)
The features of the elimination rounds for the 2026 World Cup began to gradually become clear with the end of the first three group competitions, as the first match in the round of 32 was officially confirmed, which will bring together the Canadian national team and the South African national team.
With the curtain falling on the first group matches, the schedule for the elimination stage began to take shape, while the identity of many of the qualifying teams and their competitors is still awaiting determination during the final rounds of the group stage.
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Morocco awaits the leader of Group Six
For its part, the Moroccan national team guaranteed its qualification to the next round after finishing the third group competitions in second place behind the Brazilian national team.
He will face the “Atlas Lions”, the leaders of Group F, where the struggle is still ongoing between the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden teams for the top spot in the group.
A historic achievement for Canada
The confrontation between Canada and South Africa will have a historic character for the hosts, as the Canadian team succeeded in reaching the elimination rounds for the first time in its history after its previous two participations in the 1986 and 2022 editions, which it eliminated from the group stage.
Despite its loss to the Swiss team by a score of 2-1 in the last round, the Canadian team was able to reserve a ticket to the next round, benefiting from its previous results.
As for the South African national team, it also finished its group competitions in second place, setting up a date with Canada in an anticipated match that will be held in Los Angeles next Sunday, which will be the first match of the round of 32 in the World Cup.
Major teams are waiting for their competitors
On the other hand, several strong teams qualified for the knockout rounds without yet knowing their competitors, including the United States, Mexico, Argentina, and Switzerland.
As the end of the group stage approaches, football fans await more strong confrontations that will determine the final shape of the road to the world title.
