Read 4 minutesUpdated: June 28, 2026 11:28 AM IST
With seven goals each at an average of 2.33 per game, Brazil and Japan have two of the most effective attacks at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From a purely statistical point of view, there is little to distinguish them.
Opting for a more potent attack would therefore have been a matter of opinion had they not met in the 32nd match on Monday. Brazil v Japan headlines the first wave of knockout fixtures as the bracket for the last 32 is set after a fascinating group stage.
Here’s a quick look at five of those 16 matches you can’t afford to miss:
Brazil vs Japan
Only five teams have scored more goals than Brazil and Japan in the group stage, which shows the strength of their respective attacks. However, there is one notable difference: seven of Brazil’s eight goals have been scored by the duo of Vinicius Jr. and Matheus Cunha. In contrast, Japan, who believe in the philosophy of decentralization, have found five scorers so far. On paper, this game has all the makings of a high-scoring tournament.
Also read | Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Haaland: a Golden Boot race unlike any other
Netherlands vs Morocco
There are several indicators that suggest this could be the most evenly balanced tie of the knockout stages. The Netherlands and Morocco have drawn three times, each encounter decided by a single goal. Furthermore, they are placed next to each other in the FIFA rankings – with the African nation in sixth place, with the Dutch breathing down their necks.
Portugal vs Croatia
One might wonder how Cristiano Ronaldo and his team got to this point. A flawless group stage would have given them a much merciful route out of the knockout bracket, starting with Ghana before a possible meeting with Switzerland or Algeria. They were anything but innocent. In 2022 we have an exciting match against Croatia, who finished fourth and who finished second in the previous edition. The highlight of the game will be the clash of two enduring icons in their forties – Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric. Watch out for the ‘friends turned enemies’ subplot.
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Also read | Ronaldo’s fading powers make Portugal a threat at the 2026 World Cup
Spain vs Austria
Austria would not have reached this stage had it not been for Sasa Kalajadzic’s dramatic goal in the 96th minute. Now, in their first World Cup knockout round since 1954, they face the toughest assignment available – reigning European champions Spain. Cape Verde has shown that Lamine Yamal’s team can be stopped in their tracks, if only one person is determined. Austria should be like this for the full 90 minutes and another 30 if necessary.
Argentina vs Cape Verde
No fixture better captures the romance of the World Cup. There are 63 places between No. 1 Argentina and No. 64 Cape Verde. The question, therefore, is – why have we chosen this among the top five? Purely because the World Cup is as much about the underdogs as it is about the winners. Against the world champions led by the indomitable personality of Lionel Messi – currently leading the Golden Boot race with six goals – a tiny archipelago of 10 islands. The population of Rosario — the city where Messi was born — is three times that of Cape Verde. Blue sharks are here, it’s a miracle. If they beat the three-time champion, it will be the mother of all miracles.
Full scheduleLt
June 29 (Monday):
12:30 AM — South Africa vs Canada
10:30 PM — Brazil vs. Japan
June 30 (Tuesday):
2 AM — Germany vs. Paraguay
6:30 AM — Netherlands vs. Morocco
10:30 PM — Ivory Coast vs Norway
July 1 (Wednesday):
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2:30 AM — France vs. Sweden
6:30 AM — Mexico vs Ecuador
9:30 PM — England vs DR Congo
July 2 (Thursday):
1:30 AM — Belgium vs. Senegal
5:30 AM — USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
July 3 (Friday):
12:30 AM — Spain vs. Austria
4:30 AM — Portugal vs. Croatia
8:30 AM — Switzerland vs. Algeria
11:30 PM — Australia vs Egypt
July 4 (Saturday):
3:30 AM — Argentina vs. Cape Verde
7 AM — Colombia vs Ghana