The group stage is ending, who will teams face in the knockouts once they qualify?

Things are about to get serious at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here is my bracket prediction.

Uruguay’s slip-up, already eliminated, and an open bracket have cleared the way for defending champion Argentina, which is already dreaming of another World Cup final — without saying it too loud.

His opponent, Ty Dillon, left the door open for Hamlin with 12 laps to go when he lost power steering, and Hamlin took advantage of the window. Hamlin put together some strong driving on the final laps, while Dillon continued to fall. Hamlin finished in 26th place to avoid an upset against Dillon, who finished 35th.

France, ​Spain, England, Argentina, all of the pre-tournament favorites, made it through, and a few surprise sides are through, too.

The other side of the bracket will give us some huge clashes right away: Portugal-Croatia in the round of 32 is already an incredible matchup, made even more fascinating by the fact that Spain will (probably) be waiting for one of the two in the round of 16.

The bracket for the World Cup knockout rounds is now set! How far will the U.S. go, and who should be the favorites to win it all? Let's judge some overreactions!