Big names, dark horses and subplots – reasons to watch each last 32 tie

Big names, dark horses and subplots – reasons to watch each last 32 tieImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Kylian Mbappe (4), Lionel Messi (6) and Erling Haaland (4) have scored 14 goals between them at the 2026 World CupByAlex HoadBBC Sport journalistPublished16 minutes agoWell, here we are then – 72 games down, just 32 to go.Harry Kane and Thomas Tuchel have spoken in the past week about this World Cup being like two separate tournaments.The first is in the books, and what fun it was – records broken, underdog stories galore, a Golden Boot race for the ages, and of course a smattering of controversy along the way.Human beings have also proved the supercomputers wrong as seven of the eight best third-placed teams needed four points just to make it through to the ‘second tournament’, which starts on Sunday night.It’s a classic knockout packed with all your big names, dark horses and a couple of fairytale stories too.The last 32 has some intriguing subplots and enthralling match-ups on the road to the New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July, and here’s why we think you should watch every one of the 16 ties.England last-32 tie on BBC – see full schedule