And now, it’s down from 48 to 32 teams—the start of the knockout stage, or win-or-go-home phase of the FIFA World Cup after matches of 48 teams started on June 11.
The knockout stage starts on June 28 and ends three weeks later – on July 19.
The group stage games were held in 11 stadiums in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada.
Topping the 12 groups – each with four teams – were Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Argentina, Colombia and England.
Seven of the 12 top teams in each group are from Europe while the five others are from the Americas.
Among the group stage leaders, three teams posted all three wins – Mexico, France and Argentina
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The group leaders are joined by the No. 2 teams in the next round. The runners-up in the group stage are South Africa, Canada, Morocco, Australia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Egypt, Cape Verde, Norway, Austria, Portugal and Croatia.
Five of the No. 2 teams are from Africa and two are from the Asia-Oceania region.
Advancing, to the knockout phase are eight teams that posted the best third-place finishes from the group stage. These are Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sweden, Ecuador, Ghana, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Algeria, Paraguay and Senegal.
FIFA has six regional confederations: Europe, Africa, Asia, North/Central America and Caribbean, South America and Oceania.
Among the early-favorite teams that missed the cut are South Korea (third in Group A), Uruguay (third in Group H); and Tunisia (winless in Group F)
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The Round of 32 batches:
Sunday, June 28: South Africa vs. Canada.
Monday, June 29: Brazil vs. Japan, Germany vs. Paraguay: Netherlands vs. .Morocco.
Tuesday, June 30: Ivory Coast vs. Norway, France vs. Sweden, Mexico vs. Ecuador.
Wednesday, July 1: England vs DR of the Congo, Belgium vs. Senegal, USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Thursday July 2: Spain vs. Austria Portugal vs. Croatia, Switzerland vs. Algeria.
Friday, July 3: Australia vs. Egypt, Argentina vs. Capo Verde, Colombia vs. Ghana.
Winners will advance to the Round of 16 is scheduled July 5-7 with the quarterfinals calendared on July 9-11.
The semifinals are set on July 14-15 with the match for third place set on July 18; and the final on July 19.
The first semifinal game is scheduled at the Dallas Stadium while the second semifinal match will be held in Atlanta. The game for third place will be played in Miami while the final game is set at the New York New Jersey stadium.
Busy late nights and early mornings are ahead for football lovers in the Philippines.
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Congratulations to Dr. Juan Antonio Villaluz, president of Southland College, who gets another term until 2028 as president of the NOPSCEA.
Dr. Villaluz (also called Sir JA) celebrated his 47th birthday on June 25. He also served as NOPSCEA in 2024-26.
His birthday celebration also served as an occasion for the opening of the Southland Nursing program.
“Your quiet strength, unwavering dedication and gentle passion for education continue to inspire the SC community everyday. Thank you for leading with vision, integrity and a heart of service,” Southlanders greeted him in a message posted on Facebook.
Ma’am Annette Villaluz, Chairman of the SC board and mother of the college president, said college classes will begin on July 20.
The college opened its One ADV Campus at Barangay Hilamonan last semester.
This academic year, the whole first floor in the new campus will be occupied by Nursing classes, Ma’am Annette further said.
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Congratulations, too, to Negrenses Leo Ordiales of National University and Angel Canino of De La Salle University, who will be awarded as the UAAP Volleyball Player of the Year.
Both players are members of the national team.
The recognition will be presented at the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night at the Discovery Suites in Pasig City on Monday, June 29.
I remember the sterling performances by the two Negrense standouts when they played for their respective teams before a highly appreciative crowd in a court so familiar to them, the Natalio Velez Sports and Cultural Center in Silay City, during the Philippine University Games held in Negros Occidental in October last year.
Also to be honored are the top NCAA volleyball players – Reymark Betco of De La Salle – College of St. Benilde and Iloilo native Lara Silva of Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Indeed, volleyball is alive and smashing in Negros Occidental.
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But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31) | NWI
