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2026 Fifa World Cup round of 32 primer: Favorites, African teams abound

MetLife Stadium

MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before the Group I 2026 Fifa World Cup match between Norway and Senegal on June 22, 2026.

Photo credit: Charles Nyende | Nation Media Group

After 72 games were played to eliminate just 16 of the 48 teams at the largest-ever World Cup, the knockout phase is finally set to begin.

All of the pre-tournament favorites (France, Spain, England, Argentina) made it through, and a few surprise sides are through, too.