The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 concludes on Friday, July 3, with three critical matches determining the final teams advancing to the Round of 16. Australia faces Egypt, while defending champions Argentina take on Cape Verde, and Colombia meets Ghana. Each match carries significant implications for the knockout stage.
Friday's Match Schedule and Key Details
On Friday, the following matches will take place:
- Australia vs Egypt at 1pm (18:00 GMT) at Dallas Stadium.
- Argentina vs Cape Verde at 6pm (22:00 GMT) at Miami Stadium, Florida.
- Colombia vs Ghana at 8:30pm (01:30 GMT on Saturday) at Kansas City Stadium, Missouri.
These matches will finalize the Round of 16 bracket, with teams eager to secure their spots in the knockout rounds.
Predictions for Australia vs Egypt
Australia and Egypt have faced off twice at the senior level, with both teams securing one victory each. Historically, Australia won their first encounter 4-3 on penalties in 1987, while Egypt claimed a 3-0 victory in a friendly in 2010. The Opta supercomputer predicts a tight match, giving Egypt a slight edge with a 38.6% chance of winning compared to Australia’s 30.4%. A draw is also likely, occurring in 31% of simulations. This match is deemed the closest contest of the Round of 32, with Egypt holding a 54% chance of advancing.
Argentina vs Cape Verde: A Historic Encounter
This match marks the first meeting between defending champions Argentina and Cape Verde. Argentina boasts an impressive track record against African teams in World Cup history, winning their last seven encounters since a surprising loss to Cameroon in 1990. Cape Verde, making their tournament debut, is only the third nation to face the reigning champions in the knockout stage. The Opta supercomputer heavily favors Argentina, estimating they will win in normal time 81.0% of the time. Cape Verde's chances of an upset are just 6.8%, with 12.3% of simulations ending in a draw.
Colombia vs Ghana: A Critical Clash
Colombia and Ghana will meet for the first time, with a place in the Round of 16 on the line. Colombia has a strong record against African teams, winning their last four matches in World Cup history, all by a single goal. Ghana, however, seeks their first World Cup victory over South American teams, having lost all three previous encounters. The Opta supercomputer gives Colombia a 64.8% chance to win, while Ghana's likelihood of victory stands at 13.8%, with 21.4% of matches ending in a draw.
Teams Advancing and Eliminated
As the Round of 32 progresses, the following teams have secured their places in the Round of 16:
- Canada
- Brazil
- Paraguay
- Morocco
- Norway
- France
- Mexico
- England
- United States
- Spain
- Portugal
- Switzerland
Teams eliminated so far include South Africa, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Sweden, Ecuador, DR Congo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Croatia, and Algeria. The knockout stage is shaping up to be thrilling, with many surprises expected.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
