Who Will Brazil Face in the Round of 32?

Following their dominant 3-0 victory over Scotland to secure the top spot in Group C, Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil are heading to Texas for their crucial Round of 32 clash. The victory has successfully locked down their schedule for the first knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026, though their exact opponent remains to be determined.

According to the official tournament bracket, as the champions of Group C, Brazil will face the runners-up of Group F in the Round of 32.

The final standings for Group F will be settled on Friday (June 26) once the group's remaining fixtures are concluded. Until then, the Seleção have three potential powerhouse opponents on their radar: Japan, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The high-stakes knockout match is scheduled to take place on Monday (June 29) at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Meanwhile, Scotland's 3-0 defeat left them in third place in Group C with 3 points. While they are not mathematically eliminated, their qualification is no longer in their own hands. Under the expanded 48-team format, only the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups advance to the next round.

According to statistical projections by The Athletic, Scotland currently holds a 56% chance of advancing to the Round of 32. However, the squad faces an anxious wait until Saturday, June 27, when all group stage matches conclude, to discover if they secure a spot in the knockouts.