The FIFA World Cup enters a decisive new phase on Sunday as the 32 remaining teams begin their quest for a place in the final on July 19, with every match now carrying knockout stakes. After an action-packed group stage that produced dramatic upsets, late winners and a host of standout individual performances, there is no longer any margin for error as the battle for football's biggest prize intensifies. On Sunday, South Africa face Canada in Los Angeles. Five-time champions Brazil headline Monday's action against Japan in Houston, while four-time winners Germany take on Paraguay later that evening in Foxborough. Tuesday features another trio of intriguing encounters as the Netherlands meet Morocco in Guadalajara before Ivory Coast play Norway in Arlington. Former champions France conclude the day's programme against Sweden in New Jersey. Mexico will look to make home advantage count when they host Ecuador in Mexico City on Wednesday before England face DR Congo in Atlanta. Belgium then meet African champions Senegal in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the round. The United States begin Thursday's action against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, while European heavyweights Spain face Austria in Los Angeles. Friday offers another packed schedule, with Portugal taking on Croatia in Toronto before Switzerland meet Algeria in Vancouver. Australia then play Egypt in Arlington, while defending champions Argentina close the day against tournament surprise package Cape Verde in Miami. The final round-of-32 fixture sees Colombia face Ghana in Kansas City early on Saturday, completing the lineup for the last 16. Several blockbuster ties are already beginning to take shape should the favourites progress. France and Germany remain on course for a heavyweight last-16 showdown, provided they overcome Sweden and Paraguay respectively, while Portugal and Spain could also be set for a mouthwatering meeting. Another confirmed last-16 pairing will see the winner of Germany versus Paraguay face either France or Sweden, while the victor between Canada and South Africa will meet the winner of the Netherlands against Morocco. With traditional powerhouses still firmly in contention and several emerging nations dreaming of historic runs, the knockout stage promises high drama as the road to the World Cup final gathers pace. Round of 32 fixtures (Rwandan Time) Sunday, June 28 South Africa vs Canada (9:00pm) – Los Angeles Monday, June 29 Brazil vs Japan (7:00pm) – Houston Germany vs Paraguay (10:30pm) – Foxborough Tuesday, June 30 Netherlands vs Morocco (3:00am) – Guadalajara Ivory Coast vs Norway (7:00pm) – Arlington France vs Sweden (11:00pm) – New Jersey Wednesday, July 1 Mexico vs Ecuador (3:00am) – Mexico City England vs DR Congo (6:00pm) – Atlanta Belgium vs Senegal (10:00pm) – Seattle Thursday, July 2 USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (2:00am) – Santa Clara Spain vs Austria (9:00pm) – Los Angeles Friday, July 3 Portugal vs Croatia (1:00am) – Toronto Switzerland vs Algeria (5:00am) – Vancouver Australia vs Egypt (8:00pm) – Arlington Argentina vs Cape Verde (12:00am) – Miami Saturday, July 4 Colombia vs Ghana (3:30am) – Kansas City
