Overview
- The group phase is complete and the full round‑of‑16 bracket is set, with the knockout stage beginning Sunday, June 28, in Los Angeles when Canada meets South Africa.
- Lionel Messi scored again in Argentina’s final group game to bring his career World Cup tally to 19 goals as the defending champions prepare to face Cape Verde in the first knockout round they play.
- African nations dominated the late group results, with nine of 10 CAF teams advancing and underdogs such as DR Congo and Cape Verde reaching the last 16 for the first time in decades.
- Iran was eliminated despite finishing its group unbeaten with three draws after its preparation was disrupted by travel and administrative restrictions that forced parts of the delegation to base themselves in Mexico.
- The expanded 48‑team format is central to the story because it raised the number of African slots and allowed more small nations into the tournament, a result praised by FIFA leadership for inclusion and revenue but criticized by coaches and pundits for producing unbalanced groups and uneven matches.