Read 3 minutesUpdated: June 23, 2026 01:00 PM IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Schedule: Lionel Messi scored his second against Austria on Monday to send defending champions Argentina into the round of 32. With a hat-trick against Algeria in the Group J opener, Messi broke the World Cup goal-scoring record, taking his tally to 18 goals in six editions.
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The win gave Argentina an unbeaten lead in their group, booking a guaranteed slot in the round of 32 with five days of group-stage action in the 48-team tournament. Messi’s Argentina side are expected to play their Round of 32 match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on July 3, four days after their final group game against Jordan in Arlington.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Round of 32 Bracket
| Match no | Date | Time (IST) | A round of 32 matches | place |
| 73 | June 29 | 12:30 AM | R-32: Group A runners-up vs Group B runners-up | Los Angeles |
| 74 | June 29 | 10:30 p.m | R-32: Group C winners vs Group F runners-up | Houston |
| 75 | June 30 | 2:00 AM | R-32: Germany vs the best 3rd ranked team | Foxborough |
| 76 | June 30 | 6:30 am | R-32: Group F winners vs Group C runners-up | Guadalajara |
| 77 | June 30 | 10.30 pm | R-32: Group E runners-up vs Group I runners-up | Arlington |
| 78 | July 1 | 2:30 AM | R-32: Group I winner vs best third place team | New Jersey |
| 79 | July 1 | 6:30 am | R-32: Mexico vs the best 3rd ranked team | Mexico City |
| 80 | July 1 | 9:30 p.m | R-32: Group L Winner vs Best Third Placed Team | Atlanta |
| 81 | July 2 | 1.30 AM | R-32: Best third-placed team against Group G winner | Seattle |
| 82 | July 2 | 1.30 AM | R-32: United States vs the best 3rd ranked team | Santa Clara |
| 83 | July 2 | 5:30 AM | R-32: Group H winners vs Group J runners-up | Los Angeles |
| 84 | July 3 | 12:30 AM | R-32: Group K runners-up vs Group L runners-up | Toronto |
| 85 | July 3 | 4:30 AM | R-32: Best third-placed team vs Group B winner | Vancouver |
| 86 | July 3 | 8:30 AM | R-32: Group D runners-up vs Group G runners-up | Arlington |
| 87 | July 3 | 11.30 pm | R-32: Group H runners-up against Argentina | Miami |
| 88 | July 4th | 3:30 AM | R-32: Group K winner vs best third place team | Kansas City |
FIFA World Cup 2026: Who Are Argentina’s Possible Round of 32 Opponents?
Only a miracle could leave Argentina at the top of the Group J standings with round-robin action remaining. Messi and company will advance as winners of Group J and face the runners-up of Group H where things have been spiced up after a series of interesting draws involving Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
Uruguay is currently in second place with 2 points from 2 matches. However, they will have their work cut out for them when they face leaders Spain in their final group game. It leaves World Cup debutants Cape Verde in second place as they face Saudi Arabia in their final match, with two points from two games. Saudi, who share the same group and stunned Argentina in their World Cup opener in 2022, can also aim for second place if Cape Verde and Spain beat Uruguay in the final set.
Argentina will therefore have to wait for the trio of Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia to confirm their first knockout round opponents on Saturday to confirm their qualification.