The inaugural Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup delivered on every front. There were shocks and surprises, thrilling comebacks, heartbreaking exits and the fall of several giants.

If this overwhelming dependency stays constant, even the golden goose laying eggs may not be enough when the tournament reaches its deep end.

Top favourites France will be eyeing a place in the quarterfinals as they take on Paraguay in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash at Philadelphia Stadium tonight.

India batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to represent the country after receiving his maiden international cap ahead of Saturday's Twenty20 International against England in Manchester, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record.

Watch today's episode of Fever Pitch to find out more

In a barbershop in Resende, in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state, World Cup fever is going to people's heads, quite literally. Barber Washington Santos, 27, has created a haircut featuring the Brazilian flag to celebrate the country's bid for a sixth World Cup title, or "hexa" in Portuguese.

Brazil's Raphinha returned to training on Friday to give coach Carlo Ancelotti a welcome boost before their World Cup last-16 clash with Norway, but the Barcelona forward may find his place on the right wing is no longer guaranteed.

FIFA will keep the scheduled kickoff time for Monday’s World Cup last-16 match between Mexico and England, despite earlier concerns that severe weather could force changes, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

The nerve-wracking Round of 32 of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end on Saturday morning with defending champions Argentina, Colombia and Egypt clinching the final three berths in the Round of 16.

France are bracing for furnace-like temperatures when they face Paraguay in Philadelphia in the World Cup's last 16 on Sunday as co-hosts Canada prepare for a daunting date with African giants Morocco in Houston.

A tiny archipelago of just over 500,000 people off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde held Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws on their first ever appearance at the World Cup.

The Panenka penalty, named after Czechoslovakia midfielder Antonin Panenka, first entered football folklore in the UEFA EURO 1976 final.

The missed opportunities were a familiar story for Colombia.

Hassan carried both the Egyptian and Palestinian flags onto the pitch after the victory, as Egypt celebrated winning their first-ever World Cup knockout match.

There was no space, no right to shoot, and absolutely no statistical probability of success.

"They did it with bravery and never did we lose our identity."

Arias struck in the 14th minute from close range after a cross from Luis Suarez, who had only just come on as a substitute for the injured Jhon Cordoba.

Questions about Messi's longevity have long since been answered, but coach Lionel Scaloni's conundrum remains -- how long can Argentina go on letting one little genius solve their problems?

Cape Verde, ranked 67th in the world, twice came from behind. Twice they refused to fold.

Scaloni acknowledged that the contest was far less comfortable than many had predicted, especially after Cape Verde's second equaliser raised the prospect of a major upset.