local
What to know about how teams qualify for the World Cup knockout round and which squads need to do what today
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 24, 2026
· 10 min read
By Ben Church, CNN
(CNN) — He might have been a few days late, but Cristiano Ronaldo has now joined the World Cup party. The striker reminded us all of his talents with two goals that stole yesterday’s headlines. That game was followed by the total snoozefest involving England and Ghana, which ...
Key takeaway The striker reminded us all of his talents with two goals that stole yesterday’s headlines.
Why this matters in The El Paso
For El Paso soccer fans, today's World Cup matches bring a mix of excitement and complexity, as the final round of group stage games determines which teams will advance to the knockout phase. With six games taking place simultaneously, the permutations for qualification are numerous, and a single goal can dramatically alter a team's fate. As locals gather to watch the matches, they'll be paying close attention to the group winners and runners-up, who will automatically qualify for the Round of 32. The addition of eight third-place teams to the knockout bracket adds an extra layer of intrigue, and El Pasoans will be eager to see which squads will emerge to compete in the next phase. As the tournament unfolds, local soccer enthusiasts will be discussing the finer points of qualification, from head-to-head records to goal difference, and speculating about which teams will ultimately prevail.
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 24, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 10 min
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What is this story about? By Ben Church, CNN
(CNN) — He might have been a few days late, but Cristiano Ronaldo has now joined the World Cup party. The striker reminded us all of his talents with two goals that stole yesterday’s headlines. That game was followed by the total snoozefest involving England and Ghana, which ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 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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