With the increase in the number of teams participating in the World Cup to 48 teams and the creation of a knockout phase with 32 teams, seven countries reached the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time.
They are: Democratic Republic of Congo, Cape Verde, South Africa, Canada, Ivory Coast, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Egypt.
The most recent team to join the group was the Democratic Republic of Congo, who advanced as the first best third-placed team after beating Uzbekistan 3-1.
Cape Verde, home of goalkeeper sensation Vozinha, also secured a spot in the knockout stages in their first participation in the World Cup.
It is the first time since Slovakia (as an independent nation), in 2010, that a team has reached the knockout stage in its debut at the World Cup.
The change in the structure of the competition also benefited the African teams.
In total, ten teams from the continent qualified for the tournament, double the five places allocated to Africa in the old 32-team format. Nine advanced to the knockout stage. Tunisia is the only African team eliminated.
Next, the clashes involving African teams in the 32nd stage.
- South Africa vs Canada
- Netherlands x Morocco
- Belgium x Senegal
- Ivory Coast x Norway
- England v Democratic Republic of Congo
- Argentina x Cape Verde
- Australia x Egypt
- Colombia x Ghana
- Switzerland x Algeria
Despite the new achievements, the expansion of the World Cup has generated strangeness — including among some of the beneficiaries. Carlos Queiroz, Ghana’s coach, stated that the increase in the number of places could lessen the burden of qualifying for the World Cup.
“With the number of teams that qualify for the World Cup, I fear that this could turn this competition into something vulgar, an ordinary competition,” said the Portuguese.
The 32-team phase begins with the clash between South Africa and Canada this Sunday (28), at 4pm, at SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles.
