BOSTON — Brazil and Germany begin their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 campaigns on Monday in two of the first knockout-stage fixtures involving former champions, with Brazil facing Japan in Houston and Germany taking on Paraguay in Boston as the expanded 48-team tournament moves into its single-elimination phase.
Five-time world champions Brazil enter the match after topping their group and will meet a Japan side seeking to extend its tournament run. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team must approach the contest with "mind, heart and a clear idea" as the South Americans pursue a place in the Round of 16.
Germany, four-time world champions, face Paraguay in Boston after advancing from the group stage despite a mixed campaign. Coach Julian Nagelsmann's side qualified following victories over Curaçao and Ivory Coast before losing to Ecuador in their final group match, when qualification had already been secured.
German supporters gathering ahead of kickoff expressed confidence their team could overcome Paraguay, although several cautioned that tougher tests could await later in the knockout rounds. Paraguay return to the World Cup knockout stage after ending a 16-year absence from the tournament.
Monday's schedule also includes the Netherlands against Morocco in Monterrey, completing the second day of the Round of 32 after Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 in the opening knockout match on Sunday.
The winners of Monday's fixtures will advance to the Round of 16. No results from the Brazil-Japan, Germany-Paraguay or Netherlands-Morocco matches were available at the time of publication.
