Butt-clenchers, upsets and favorite blow-outs. So far, the Round of 32 has followed the same narrative as the Group Stage: Expanding the World Cup hasn't diluted the talent pool. Almost every game has been competitive, compelling and offered an angle of excitement. Today's slate will surely be more of the same.
Dave Clark
Today's games
England vs. DR Congo
Time: 9:00 am (Pacific)
Where: Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
TV: Fox, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
Belgium vs. Senegal
Time: 1:00 pm (Pacific)
Where: Seattle, WA @ Lumen Field
TV: FS1, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Time: 5:00 pm (Pacific)
Where: Santa Clara, CA @ Levi's Stadium
TV: Fox, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
The new issue of IV: The Sounder at Heart magazine is now available for pre-order. Issue 2 will focus on Seattle’s role in the 2026 World Cup.
What’s interesting today?
- England are looking worse for wear. Now missing two fullbacks to injury, the worries at roster reveal about not bringing Trent Alexander-Arnold or another natural wide defender are seeping back in. Though the Three Lions showed extremely well against heavy-hitter Croatia in their opening game, their last two have clearly shown that if Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham don't show up on the day, they might not have any match winners.
- DR Congo, on the other hand, have a match winner of their own in Yoane Wissa, who has most certainly shown up at this tournament, looking like a man possessed after reclaiming his fantastic form from his years at Brentford. If DR Congo are to make it past a tournament favorite they'll be in for an easier matchup in the next round. After Paraguay's upset of Germany just two days ago, nothing is off the table.
- Belgium no longer have the golden generation that once carried them all the way to the top spot in the FIFA rankings. After an extremely lackluster group stage, they found themselves advancing essentially off a beatdown of a weak New Zealand side. If they're going to get past an Egypt side finally living up to their talent, it just might come down to a performance from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois rather than Jeremy Doku unless the Red Devils can bring a bit of their cohesion from the New Zealand match into the knockouts against a stronger opponent.
- 2025 AFCON champions Senegal are only rising so far. One goal in a 3-1 vs. favorite France, a tough 3-2 loss against Norway and finally earning points with a 5-0 win vs. Iraq, they are the only third-place team to advance on 3 points. They're certainly not goal-shy and will give Belgium a run for their money.
- Bosnia will look to find a way to suffer-ball their way through to the Round of 16 by upsetting the USA. Their style of play is clear and concise: Be extremely compact, stretch the forward and central midfield line high and away from the defense, send balls up to the wingers, then look to utilize the fact that they're the tallest team at the tournament to capitalize on crosses and set pieces (they've already scored 3 off set pieces in the group stage).
- If the USA are to open Bosnia up, they'll need to do so through quick combination play. Dest and McKennie will likely be the difference – showing their technique in tight spaces to rip open Bosnia's backline. Balogun's smart soccer IQ may allow him to take advantage of the space his opponent leaves between their midfield and defensive lines – dropping in then using bursts of acceleration to cut through the open space.
