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The first Round of 32 in World Cup history is here. There’s a real debate over whether it will be good for the tournament
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 29, 2026
· 10 min read
By Ben Church, CNN
(CNN) — Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. To subscribe, click here.
Welcome to the first full week of World Cup knockout matches, where dreams will be made and hearts broken all across North Am...
Key takeaway We have three Round of 32 matches again for you today, including two that will really whet the appetite – involving the likes of five-time world champion Brazil.
Why this matters in The El Paso
In El Paso , where soccer fans gather to watch World Cup matches, the debate over the Round of 32's impact on the tournament is likely to resonate. For local fans who have been following the World Cup, the introduction of this new knockout round may mean more opportunities to see their favorite teams in action. However, the concern over the potential dilution of quality in the knockout rounds may also be shared by El Paso's soccer enthusiasts, who value competitive and exciting matches. As the Round of 32 continues, El Pasoans will be watching to see how this new format plays out and whether it enhances or detracts from their World Cup viewing experience. The city's diverse community, with its strong soccer following, will likely be split on the issue, making for lively discussions at local watch parties and gatherings.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 10 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Ben Church, CNN
(CNN) — Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. To subscribe, click here.
Welcome to the first full week of World Cup knockout matches, where dreams will be made and hearts broken all across North Am...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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