The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage continues on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, with three single-elimination round of 32 matchups.
France will face Sweden, Ivory Coast takes on Norway, and host Mexico plays Ecuador.
Norway Returns to Knockout Stage
Norway arrived in Dallas to prepare for its first knockout game since 1998. Local police greeted the team with a rowing motion on the tarmac.
Striker Erling Haaland and nine other regulars return to the squad after resting during a group-stage loss to France.
That loss came four days after a victory over Senegal.
Team captain Martin Odegaard discussed the squad rotation on Monday ahead of a training session. He explained that management prioritized player health due to the grueling tournament schedule.
"We have to do what's best for the team.
And the manager was clear and we agreed with him, that we had a really tough game before and we have a really hard game tomorrow, and we had the chance to rotate a little bit," Odegaard said.
Norway finished second in its group, matching the placement of its upcoming opponent, Ivory Coast.
Midfielder Sander Berge expressed his support for the coaching staff's decision to rest key players during the final group match.
"Some rest, I think that was the sensible thing to do. So I'm very, very happy we did that," Berge said.
France Faces Sweden Without Key Players
France manager Didier Deschamps rejoined his team in the United States on Friday evening following the funeral of his mother in Europe.
France swept all three of its group matches for the first time since 1998.
The squad will miss injured striker Marcus Thuram against Sweden, while midfielder N'Golo Kante remains uncertain.
Deschamps commented on his return through an interpreter on Monday. "I'm here.
I'm good, and it's good to be busy since Friday evening when I arrived back in the United States," he said.
Sweden enters the matchup after finishing third in Group F, following a win over Tunisia, a defeat against the Netherlands, and a draw with Japan.
The Swedish squad will compete without defender Isak Hien, who suffered a hamstring injury during Thursday's match against Japan.
Host Mexico Eyes Historic Advancement
In Mexico City, host nation Mexico will play Ecuador at Estadio Azteca. Mexico looks to advance past the round of 32 for the first time since June 1986.
Mexico won all three of its Group A games, utilizing the home environment and high altitude where the team has suffered only two historic losses.
Left back Jesus Gallardo addressed the team's mindset before a training session on Monday.
"I don't know if we're favorites but playing at home and with our fans behind us, we want to do things right," he said.
Ecuador secured its spot in the round of 32 by finishing third in Group E, clinching advancement after a victory over Germany.
Gallardo emphasized that the team must prepare for a complete performance.
"We have a 90-minute match ahead of us, plus extra time and possibly penalties, so we shouldn't focus on the altitude but rather on playing football the way we have so far," he added.
