HOUSTON (Realist English). The 2026 World Cup, being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, is entering its decisive phase.
In the tournament’s first-ever 32-team playoff round, Brazil nearly lost their chance to advance, but a 96th-minute goal saved the five-time champions and sent Japan home.
Meanwhile, the United States is preparing for its Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Iran is experiencing one of the cruelest disappointments in World Cup history.
Brazil — Japan: Drama in Houston
The Round of 32 match at the Houston stadium was a true test for the Brazilian side. The Japanese, who have never won a World Cup knockout match, looked extremely confident. In the 29th minute, midfielder Kaishu Sano intercepted a poor pass from Danilo and fired a powerful strike from outside the box to open the scoring — 1-0 for the “Blue Samurai.”
The first half belonged to Japan. Brazil, despite their possession advantage, could not break down their opponent’s disciplined 5-4-1 defensive setup. However, after the break, Carlo Ancelotti’s men increased their aggression. In the 56th minute, Casemiro headed home a cross from Gabriel Magalhães to level the score.
It seemed the match was heading for extra time. But in the fifth minute of added time, Bruno Guimarães played a delicate pass to Gabriel Martinelli, and the Arsenal substitute calmly beat the goalkeeper. The 95th-minute goal gave Brazil a 2-1 victory. Japan, despite a heroic performance, exit the tournament. Brazil will face the winner of the Norway — Ivory Coast match in the Round of 16.
Round of 32: Debate Over the New Format
For the first time in World Cup history, 32 teams have advanced to the knockout stage. With the tournament expanded to 48 teams divided into 12 groups, the Round of 32 now includes group winners, runners-up, and the eight best third‑placed teams.
The innovation has sparked fierce debate. Critics argue that the increased number of participants lowers the overall quality of the knockout stage. The first Round of 32 match between Canada and South Africa, according to pundits, did little to disprove this theory: the game was described as “sluggish” and lacking in quality chances.
On the other hand, the new format gives smaller nations a chance. For Canada and South Africa, this match was their first ever World Cup knockout appearance. As CNN notes, “this new round allowed their fans to celebrate a historic achievement.”
USA: Donovan’s Belief and the Bosnia Match
The US team, having comfortably won Group D with victories over Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0), is preparing for its Round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
US football legend Landon Donovan, whose team reached the quarter-finals in 2002, believes this generation can go even further.
“Can they? Yes,” Donovan said in an interview with CNN. “We have a good enough team to go far. The hard part is… if you win one game, then you play a good team, then another, and you’re in the quarter-finals. Can they beat everyone? Yes, absolutely they can. Can they do it one after another? I think yes.”
The key condition, according to Donovan, is that “a lot has to go right.” He named Christian Pulisic as the key figure: “He’s the only one who can create a moment out of nothing.” Donovan also stressed the importance of home support: “If our fans are with us, I believe anything is possible.”
Iran: Unbelievable Misfortune
The most dramatic story of the tournament has been Iran’s exit. The team did not lose a single match in their group — three draws with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt — yet still failed to advance.
In the match against Egypt, Iran were heading for victory, but Shoja Khalilzadeh’s goal in the second minute of added time was ruled out for offside (the attacker’s toe was ahead of the defender). In the parallel match, Algeria took the lead against Austria in the 93rd minute, which would have sent Iran through, but the Austrians equalised in the 96th, leaving Iran out.
As the BBC writes, “few can match the cruelty with which Iran’s tournament ended in 2026.”
Beyond the misfortune, the team faced unprecedented problems: their training base was moved from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico; Iranians were only allowed to enter the US a day before their first two matches, and had to leave the country on the day of the game.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei called his team the “most oppressed” at the tournament.
The first knockout round of the 2026 World Cup is living up to its billing as a “tournament of dramatic endings.” Brazil escaped elimination by a hair, the new format is sparking debate, the US is preparing for a historic match, and Iran exit without a single defeat.
Ahead lie the Round of 16 matches, which promise to be no less intense.
