Club World Cup: 6 round-of-32 ties you can’t miss 🔥 | OneFootball

It’s going to be fire!

Here we go! The knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup kicks off this Sunday evening with the round of 32.

With this new format, plenty of big clashes are already on the schedule. And so you can plan your calendar as best as possible, we’ve picked out the six must-watch matchups you absolutely can’t miss!

Brazil vs Japan - Monday, June 29 (7pm)

It’s one of the most intriguing clashes of this group stage. After struggling against Morocco before raising their level, Brazil is now preparing to take on an intriguing Japan side that managed to hold the Netherlands to a draw, despite the Dutch looking impressive in their other two matches.

The Seleção will still be able to rely on Vinicius Jr, who has been at his very best at the start of this World Cup.

📸 KARL MONDON,MAURO PIMENTEL - AFP or licensors

Netherlands vs Morocco - Tuesday, June 30 (3am)

This is probably the biggest clash of the round of 32. The runner-up of the last AFCON and semifinalist at the previous World Cup takes on a Netherlands side that made a big impression in the group stage.

A red-hot match that will see one of the main dark horses already heading home.

📸 Darrian Traynor - 2026 Getty Images

Ivory Coast vs Norway - Tuesday, June 30 (7pm)

Evenly matched on paper, this clash could have plenty of surprises in store. Between an unstoppable Erling Haaland since the start of the tournament and an Ivory Coast side that came within inches of taking down Germany, both teams have some serious weapons to aim for a place in the round of 16!

📸 Mattia Ozbot - 2026 Getty Images

France vs Sweden - Tuesday, June 30 (11pm)

Probably the team that has made the biggest impression in the group stage, France will be facing their second European opponent in four matches.

Up against Les Bleus is a Sweden side that seems capable of the best and the worst, but above all can count on a Gyökeres-Isak strike duo that will need to be watched very closely.

📸 Justin Setterfield - 2026 Getty Images

Belgium vs Senegal - Wednesday, July 1 (10pm)

Two heavyweights who almost miraculously made it to the round of 32. Their paths have been strangely similar, with two very difficult opening matches before ending with an attacking masterclass.

Only a brave man would try to predict the outcome of this one.

📸 Michael Reaves - 2026 Getty Images

Portugal vs Croatia - Friday, July 3 (1am)

Because it could be Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modrić’s last World Cup match, because these two teams probably still haven’t shown their best football, because they are two historic World Cup nations... this is one clash you can’t miss.

We might even be lucky enough to witness Ronaldo’s first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match.

📸 CHANDAN KHANNA - AFP or licensors

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 PAUL ELLIS - AFP or licensors