The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage continues on Monday with three more round of 32 ties, as Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands attempt to join Canada in the round of 16 of the tournament.
Five-time champions Brazil take on an improving Japan, Germany take on Paraguay as they seek to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2014, while the Netherlands take on Morocco in the final match of the day.
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Away from the action, Canada is celebrating a historic first World Cup knockout victory, Iran is reflecting on a heartbreaking elimination after a late VAR decision, and South Korea is looking for a new coach following the resignation of Hong Myung-bo.
This is what we know:
What is the schedule on Monday?
- Brazil vs Japan: (12 noon/17:00 GMT) at the Houston Stadium, Texas, in the USA.
- Germany vs Paraguay: (16:30/20:30 GMT) at the stadium in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- Netherlands vs Morocco: (19:00/01:00 GMT on Tuesday) at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico
What is the prediction for Brazil vs Japan?
Brazil has dominated this matchup over the years, winning 11 of their previous 14 meetings with Japan and losing just once.
Their only World Cup meeting came 20 years ago, when Brazil claimed a 4-1 victory. But Japan come into this tie with confidence after ending Brazil's long unbeaten run in the fixture with a dramatic 3-2 comeback in Tokyo last October, overcoming a two-goal deficit.
The Opta supercomputer makes Brazil the favorite to advance to the next round.
Brazil won 57.3 percent of the 25,000 pre-match simulations, while Japan won 19.7 percent. The remaining 23.0 percent of simulations ended tied after 90 minutes, so the tie would be decided in overtime or a penalty shootout.
What is the prediction for Germany vs Paraguay?
Germany and Paraguay meet in the knockout phase after having met only twice before.
Their only previous World Cup meeting was in a round of 16 match in 2002. The teams also drew 3-3 in an entertaining international friendly in 2013.
The Opta supercomputer makes Germany the clear favorite to progress.
Germany has a 54.7 percent chance of winning in the 90 minutes, while Paraguay has a 23.1 percent chance of winning. The remaining 22.3 percent of simulations ended tied after regulation time, sending the tie to overtime and possibly penalties.
Beyond this match, Germany has a 78.6 percent chance of reaching the round of 16 and a 4.4 percent chance of winning the World Cup.
What is the prediction for Holland vs Morocco?
Holland and Morocco meet in a World Cup for only the second time.
Their previous meeting in the tournament came in the 1994 group stage, when the Dutch claimed a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Bryan Roy.
Historically, the Netherlands have enjoyed a strong record against African rivals in the World Cup. They are undefeated in six of those games and scored at least twice in each of their victories. Tuesday's tie, however, will be their first knockout match against an African nation.
Meanwhile, Morocco arrive with confidence after beating Scotland and aim to achieve consecutive World Cup victories over European rivals for the first time.
The Opta supercomputer gives the Netherlands an advantage.
Ronald Koeman's team won 47.6 percent of the 25,000 pre-match drills, while Morocco advanced 25.0 percent. The remaining 27.4 percent of simulations ended tied after 90 minutes, sending the match to overtime and, if necessary, penalties.
What else is happening?
Canada makes history with its first World Cup knockout victory
Canada reached the round of 16 of the men's World Cup for the first time after a dramatic injury-time victory over South Africa, marking the nation's first knockout victory of the tournament.
Stephen Eustaquio's late goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the co-hosts, and coach Jesse Marsch told his players they had become “Canadian heroes” and inspired the next generation of soccer players.
The celebrations were made even more emotional by the presence of midfielder Ismael Kone, who suffered a tournament-ending leg fracture early in the competition, but joined his teammates on crutches to celebrate a historic moment in Canadian soccer history.
Iran's elimination from the World Cup leaves fans divided after a dramatic ending
Iran's World Cup campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion after Team Melli narrowly missed out on the knockout stage.
The dramatic elimination sparked emotional reactions across Iran. Coach Amir Ghalenoei described the team's misfortune as extraordinary after Iran became the first team in the tournament to have three goals disallowed by VAR.
State television commentators also questioned the circumstances of the final qualifying results, while Austria coach Ralf Rangnick dismissed suggestions of collusion, saying only “someone completely crazy” could believe the match had been fixed.
South Korea coach resigns after elimination from World Cup
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo resigned following his team's elimination in the group stage of the World Cup, after receiving strong criticism from president Lee Jae-myung.
The disappointing campaign led President Lee to order a complete review of the national team program, describing the result as “deeply disconcerting” and questioning both the team structure and Hong's appointment.
“Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything,” Lee said. “If you value loyalty and factionalism over competition and appoint an incapable person as leader, the result is as predictable as fire.”
