World Cup knockouts begin: Cape Verde face Argentina, Morocco meet Canada
The knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup gets under way this week, with African teams featuring in two of the standout ties as the expanded tournament reaches its decisive phase.
Debutants Cape Verde, who became the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, face a formidable test against reigning world champions Argentina on 3 July at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The island nation reached this stage unbeaten in the group phase, one of the feel-good stories of the tournament.
Morocco, semi-finalists at the previous World Cup, are drawn against co-hosts Canada on 4 July at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Atlas Lions reached the knockouts for a second straight tournament, while Canada are through to this stage for the first time after eliminating South Africa.
The knockout matches run through 7 July, with the winners advancing deeper into a bracket that has already produced upsets and history-making runs from smaller footballing nations.
African sides have enjoyed a strong tournament, and the presence of Cape Verde and Morocco at this stage keeps the continent's hopes alive as the competition moves toward the quarter-finals and beyond.
