ع
Qatar News Agency reported on June 30 citing a FIFA announcement that four matches will open the round of 32 on July 1 with France taking on Sweden and England facing DR Congo at Atlanta Stadium. France topped its group with three wins while Sweden finished third in Group F with four points. England collected seven points and stayed unbeaten while DR Congo advanced as one of the best third-placed teams with four points from one win one draw and one loss in Group K.
FIFA historical records show France holds a 12-5-6 edge over Sweden across 23 previous encounters. The sides drew 1-1 at UEFA Euro 1992 and Sweden won 2-0 at Euro 2012 in their only two major tournament meetings. France enters the knockout stage seeking a third World Cup title having won the competition in 1998 and 2018.
England has remained unbeaten in 14 matches under coach Thomas Tuchel with the streak spanning qualification and the group stage according to FIFA data. The 1966 champions will look to build on their strong showing against a DR Congo side that claimed its first-ever World Cup victory during the group phase. DR Congo’s four points placed it third in Group K and among the eight best third-placed teams that advanced under the expanded format.
The FIFA announcement via Qatar News Agency also listed Mexico versus Ecuador and Belgium against Senegal at Seattle Stadium for the same day. Mexico progressed unbeaten without conceding a goal while Ecuador took four points from a tough group. Belgium finished with seven points compared with Senegal’s three.
The 2026 tournament features 48 teams for the first time with the top two from each of 12 groups joined by the eight best third-placed sides in the round of 32 according to FIFA regulations. A CBS Sports analysis placed several of these matchups including France versus Sweden among key early knockout ties. ESPN standings confirmed the group outcomes that produced this slate of fixtures.
Venues for the Mexico-Ecuador and remaining matches will be drawn from the 11 stadiums across the co-hosting nations of the United States Canada and Mexico the announcement indicated. The format shift has enabled greater representation from African and other confederations with DR Congo and Senegal among the sides reaching the knockout rounds. Public data from FIFA shows both European and emerging teams have displayed competitive form through the initial phase.
