Knockout Stage Ramps Up Drama as 2026 World Cup Rows On

“We can’t get enough BARBECUE!” cheered Ole Frøystad on the Dallas Stadium video board Tuesday, speaking for thousands of his fellow Norwegians who made the trek to North Texas to witness their nation’s first men’s World Cup knockout stage match in 28 years.

Frøystad is credited with inventing the global phenomenon “Viking Row” chant, in which Norway fans (and players, after wins) pull imaginary oars to their chest in unison to the beat of a drum, shouting “ROW!” with each stroke.

Under the closed roof of Jerryworld, the noise echoed like cannon fire. And the sight of the “Oljeberget” supporters’ group was the only thing that threatened to pull anyone’s eyes away from an absorbing Round of 32 clash between Norway and Côte d’Ivoire, which seemed destined for extra time at 1-1 before Norway’s superstar striker Erling Haaland tapped in the winning goal – his fifth of the tournament – in the 86th minute.

It was international sport at its finest, emblematic of what’s been a brilliant start to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Round of 32 has already delivered some huge surprises and several moments that will live on forever in those post-tournament best-of montages that this writer absolutely lives for.

Take, for instance, Mexico’s jubilant celebrations after handily defeating Ecuador, 2-0, in Mexico City to (technically) break the curse of “El Quinto Partido.” Before Tuesday night, El Tri had not reached a fifth game at a World Cup since it last hosted the tournament in 1986 – though rival U.S. fans might point out that the curse really refers to progressing beyond the Round of 16. To do that, Mexico will have to make one more stand at the Azteca Stadium, in a mouthwatering matchup versus England after Harry Kane’s heroics helped the Three Lions escape a potential massive upset by Congo DR. 

Canada have also made history by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time ever, thanks to Stephen Eustáquio’s stoppage time winner, which broke a 0-0 tie against South Africa Sunday afternoon.

While some nations are banishing past demons, others are losing touch with their traditional identities completely. The Netherlands, the nation that gave us “total football” and legendary names like Cruyff, Bergkamp, and van Basten, reduced themselves to parking the bus against Morocco, praying to merely survive until penalty kicks. They were, regrettably, successful in that effort, but came up on the wrong end of the shootout (not remotely surprising, if you know any Dutch history in major tournaments) and earned a flight home. Ronald Koeman, the man most responsible for the tactical affront, resigned as manager shortly after the loss.

The same can’t be said for Germany’s coach, Julian Nagelsmann, however. In the upset of the tournament so far, the four-time champions bowed out in stunning fashion to Paraguay in another gripping penalty shootout. It’s a new low for the once-feared soccer nation, which has now gone three consecutive World Cups without a knockout stage win since lifting the trophy in 2014. German goalscoring great (and former USMNT coach) Jürgen Klinsmann called the result “an embarrassment” on ESPN and urged the federation to question everything “from top to bottom.”

For Paraguay, it’s a famous victory that will stand as the defining moment of an entire generation of players. As for their reward? A date with a French superteam that looks absolutely inevitable. France’s unrivaled attacking star power was on full display in their 3-0 win over Sweden, which featured two assists from Michael Olise and two more goals from the incredible Kylian Mbappé. 

Mbappé has tied Lionel Messi for top goalscorer at this World Cup with six, and, at just 27 years old, is remarkably just one goal behind Messi for the career World Cup goalscoring record. 

At this point, it’s difficult to imagine anyone other than Les Bleus lifting the trophy in just over two weeks’ time.

This column went to press prior to the United States Men’s National Team’s Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina Wednesday night.

While MLS is on break, The Verde Report has its eye on World Cup action.

For more Austin FC news and analysis, visit The Austin Chronicle’s Austin FC hub. Sign up for The Verde Report newsletter to get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox, and follow The Verde Report columnist Eric Goodman on X: @goodman.

The post Knockout Stage Ramps Up Drama as 2026 World Cup Rows On appeared first on The Austin Chronicle.