World Cup 2026 begins in earnest with the tournament shifting from the expanded group stage to the knockout phase. Reporting from different outlets notes that the format change—an expanded group stage—performs better than some had expected, drawing attention for producing more engaging matches. As the competition moves forward, attention turns to the slate of last-32 ties, described as featuring matchups that are likely to be compelling across multiple games. The coverage frames the start of this stage as a turning point for the tournament, with the remaining teams now playing for progression rather than qualification through groups. While specific game details are not provided in the excerpts, both sources emphasize the same overall progression: the early rounds and their structure lead into a set of knockout matches that mark the next major phase of the World Cup. The reporting therefore centers on the tournament’s momentum and the perceived success of the revised group-stage format ahead of the critical knockout matches.