Final Nerves Before the Round of 32 as Antena 1 Tops the Ratings with Another Day of FIFA World Cup Action
Tonight at 10:00 p.m.: The First Knockout Match – Canada vs. South Africa, Live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Excitement and hope filled the final day before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32, broadcast exclusively across the Antena universe. Romanian referee István Kovács found himself face to face with Lionel Messi in a match that saw the Inter Miami superstar set another remarkable milestone, becoming the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. The teams in Groups J, K and L, still fighting for qualification, left everything on the pitch in pursuit of a place in the knockout stage. Last night's Group L clash between Panama and England (0-2), along with the previous day's Uruguay vs. Spain encounter (Group H, 0-1), whose audience figures were released today, both emerged as clear ratings winners. Beginning tonight, however, the World Cup enters its most unforgiving phase. The tournament's first knockout match will see Canada, one of the host nations, face one of the competition's biggest surprises, South Africa, who stunned the football world during the group stage and now look to continue their extraordinary run. The match kicks off at 10:00 p.m., live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY.
The Group L match between Panama and England, broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY between 12:00 a.m. and 1:55 a.m., was the top viewing choice among Romanian audiences. It recorded a 32.8% market share among the commercial audience aged 21-54, comfortably ahead of Pro TV's 12%. Antena 1 also led the rankings among the urban audience with a 28.3% market share, compared to Pro TV's 11.1%, while nationwide it posted a 22% market share, ahead of Pro TV's 14.3%. At the same time, viewers also followed the other Group L fixture, Croatia vs. Ghana, broadcast live on Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY, where Croatia claimed a 2-1 victory.
The audience data released today for the previous day's Uruguay vs. Spain match (Group H, 0-1) also confirmed Antena 1 as the ratings leader, delivering a 36.7% market share among viewers aged 21-54. Overnight, England defeated Panama 2-0 in their final Group L match, broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane secured top spot in the group for Thomas Tuchel's side.
In the other Group L fixture, broadcast live on Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY, Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1, allowing the 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up to finish second. Ghana, despite finishing third, also secured qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.
At 2:30 a.m., live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, Colombia and Portugal played out a 0-0 draw. The result allowed Colombia to finish top of Group K, earning what is theoretically the easier side of the knockout bracket. Portugal will now face 2018 runners-up Croatia, with a potential Round of 16 meeting against Spain awaiting the winner. Colombia created the better opportunities throughout the match, although Bruno Fernandes produced Portugal's clearest chance. Colombia also had a goal disallowed in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, on Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY, DR Congo came from behind to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1, overturning an early deficit after conceding in the 10th minute to secure qualification for the Round of 32.
This morning at 5:00 a.m., live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, Romanian referee István Kovács officiated Jordan vs. Argentina, which ended in a 3-1 victory for the reigning world champions. The match saw Lionel Messi make history by becoming the first player ever to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches. Messi also extended his record as the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 18 World Cup goals.
Argentina have made a flying start to their title defence in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Inspired by Messi, who has already scored six goals in three matches, the reigning champions look fully prepared to defend the title they won in Qatar. It was Kovács' second match officiating at a FIFA World Cup. He disallowed two Argentine goals for offside and awarded a penalty to the South Americans.
At the same time, Algeria and Austria played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their final Group J match, broadcast live on Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY. Both teams advanced to the Round of 32 after a dramatic finish in Kansas.
Riyad Mahrez gave Algeria a 3-2 lead in the fourth minute of stoppage time, a scoreline that would have eliminated Austria. However, Sasa Kalajdzic equalised just two minutes later, sending Austria through to the knockout stage.
Round of 32 Fixtures
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 begins today with the following matches:
- Germany vs. Paraguay – June 29, 11:30 p.m. – Boston Stadium
- France vs. Sweden – July 1, 12:00 a.m. – New Jersey Stadium
- South Africa vs. Canada – June 28, 10:00 p.m. – Los Angeles Stadium
- Netherlands vs. Morocco – June 30, 4:00 a.m. – Monterrey Stadium
- Portugal vs. Croatia – July 3, 3:00 a.m. – Toronto
- Spain vs. Austria – July 2, 10:00 p.m. – Los Angeles
- USA vs. Bosnia – July 2, 3:00 a.m. – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
- Belgium vs. Senegal – July 1, 11:00 p.m. – Seattle
- Brazil vs. Japan – June 29, 8:00 p.m. – Houston Stadium
- Côte d'Ivoire vs. Norway – June 30, 8:00 p.m. – Dallas Stadium
- Mexico vs. Ecuador – June 30, 4:00 a.m. – Mexico City
- England vs. DR Congo – July 1, 7:00 p.m. – Atlanta
- Argentina vs. Cape Verde – July 4, 1:00 a.m. – Miami Stadium
- Australia vs. Egypt – July 3, 9:00 p.m. – Dallas Stadium
- Switzerland vs. Algeria – July 3, 6:00 a.m. – Vancouver
- Colombia vs. Ghana – July 4, 4:30 a.m. – Kansas City
The knockout stage gets underway with the highly anticipated clash between South Africa and Canada, kicking off at 10:00 p.m. live on Antena 1 and streaming on AntenaPLAY from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Source: Fifty5Blue
Copyright: ARMADATA S.R.L.
Audience data processed by the Antena Group Research Department.
Analysis based on the Urban 21–54, Urban Total, and National target audiences.
Reporting period: June 27, 2026.
