The FIFA World Cup has, over the years, been a Pandora’s box of surprises — a good mix of tight clashes and some great upsets. The next iteration of the tournament is expected to tread the same path.
After the World Cup draw, completed on Friday, Sportstar looks at potential match-ups in the round of 32 of the tournament:
Argentina vs Spain/Uruguay
Defending champion Argentina might get a tricky card in the round of 32 as it can face either Spain or Uruguay, if it finishes in the top two of Group J.
Lionel Scaloni’s side was humbled by Saudi Arabia in its opening match at the 2022 World Cup. This time around, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain, a Euro and Nations League champion, and Uruguay under head coach Marcelo Bielsa, who was in charge of Argentina for six years between 1998 and 2004.
Brazil/Morocco vs Netherlands/Japan
The permutations can pit either Brazil or Morocco against the Netherlands or Japan, depending upon how the groups finish. On paper, Brazil and Morocco are expected to take the top two spots in Group C, while the Dutch and Japan are favourites to progress from Group F.
The Oranje have not lost to Brazil in this century, with their last defeat coming in an international friendly in 1999. At the 2014 World Cup, the Netherlands beat Brazil 3-0 to win the third-place match.
As Carlo Ancelotti continues his rebuild, his first opponent after the group stage might just prove to be a stern test.
So can Japan, the giant killer of the 2022 World Cup that beat Germany and Spain to progress into the round of 16. The Samurai Blue, with a top-two finish, will either face Brazil or Morocco, another giant killer from the 2022 World Cup that beat Portugal and Spain, finishing fourth.
Colombia/Portugal vs England/Croatia
Like the Brazil match-up, every potential top-two combination from Groups K and L looks like a tight contest, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal having a chance to face England for a spot in the pre-quarterfinals.
Ronaldo would have vivid memories of another England clash 19 years ago, when his then club teammate Wayne Rooney was sent off in the quarterfinal. Portugal eventually won that match on penalties — Ronaldo converted one of the three for his country.
Meanwhile, two former Real Madrid stars, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez, could both be playing in their last World Cups and will look to make it count if and when they meet in a clash between Colombia and Croatia.
Ecuador vs Norway
Norway has made it to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, propelled by the brilliant form of Erling Haaland, who ended the qualifiers as the highest goalscorer.
The Norwegians pipped Italy to earn direct qualification and could face Ecuador from South America, which beat teams like Uruguay, Chile and Colombia in the qualifiers, for a place in the round of 16.
Australia vs Iran
The contest looks more like an AFC Asian Cup final and will pit two former Asian champions against each other if both finish second in their respective groups
Though Iran is the more successful side at the Asian level, having won three Asian Cup titles compared to Australia’s one, the Socceroos have a better record in the World Cup, having reached the round of 16 in the last edition.
Iran, on the other hand, has not gone past the group stage in six appearances in the tournament. In the 2026 edition, it will face stern competition from Mohamed Salah’s Egypt and Chris Wood’s New Zealand.
Published on Dec 06, 2025