The 2026 World Cup has entered the knockout stage, with six Latin American teams still in contention. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Paraguay all booked places in the round of 32, but the margin for error has now disappeared.

With the group stage behind them, every match is win or go home. Here’s a look at each team’s first knockout opponent and the road that could lie ahead.

Brazil are the first up. Carlo Ancelotti’s side had an uneven group stage but eventually showed why it remains among the tournament favorites.

Vinícius Júnior has been the standout performer, becoming the first player to win man of the match in all three group-stage matches at a World Cup. Brazil will again look to him to lead the attack.

Their first knockout test is far from straightforward. Japan awaits on Monday at Houston’s NRG Stadium at 2 p.m. Brazil has not been eliminated in its opening knockout match since 1990, but Japan has built a reputation for upsetting traditional powers.

The path ahead only gets tougher, with Ivory Coast or Norway........

© Buenos Aires Herald