World Cup knockout stages begin with Canada making history
The World Cup has entered its knockout stages, with Canada advancing to the last 16 and other teams like South Korea and Iran exiting the tournament.
Image is an AI-generated illustration, not a real photograph.
The FIFA World Cup has officially moved into its exhilarating knockout stages as of June 28, 2026, marking the start of a single-elimination tournament for the 32 qualifying teams. Among the teams advancing to this high-stakes phase, Canada has made historic strides by progressing to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history. Their groundbreaking advancement signals a significant moment for the Canadian squad on the global stage.
This monumental achievement for Canada follows a thrilling 1-0 victory over South Africa in the Round of 32, securing their place in the next phase of the competition. Meanwhile, other nations have seen their World Cup journeys conclude. Both South Korea and Iran have unfortunately exited the tournament after the group stage, with their eliminations confirmed around the same period as the knockout rounds commenced.
What each outlet emphasizes
- CNN: highlights Canada's elimination of South Africa and booming US viewership
- BBC: emphasizes Canada's historic run and South Korea coach's resignation
- AJ: provides numerous match results, including Canada's win
- The Guardian: reports on Canada's advancement and Iran's 'disaster' World Cup
- AP: covers South Korea coach's resignation and Iran's narrow exit