The Round of 32 is set as Belize follows the action

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The group stage has delivered its share of drama, and now the picture is clear. The teams heading into the Round of 32 have been confirmed, and football fans across Belize have been glued to every twist and turn.

In the expanded 48-team format, the qualifiers come from every corner of the globe. Here is how the field shapes up by confederation.

From South America, five nations punched their tickets: Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Paraguay, while Uruguay were sent packing.

Closer to home in North America, there is plenty of regional pride. Hosts Mexico, the United States, and Canada all advanced, flying the flag for the region. However, it was the end of the road for Curacao, Panama, and Haiti.

Europe, as always, sent a strong contingent through, with France, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Bosnia, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Croatia, Portugal, England, and Austria all booking their places. Among those eliminated were Scotland, Czechia, and Turkey.

From Asia, Japan and Australia made it through, while Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and Jordan all bowed out.

Africa produced one of the strongest showings of all, with Ivory Coast, Morocco, South Africa, Cape Verde, Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, Ghana, and DR Congo all advancing. Only Tunisia missed out.

Finally, from Oceania, New Zealand were eliminated.

For Belizean fans, there is plenty to get excited about. With regional sides like Mexico, the USA, and Canada still alive, and feel-good qualifiers like Cape Verde and DR Congo proving the smaller nations belong, the knockout rounds promise to be unmissable. Which team are you backing to go all the way? Comment below. 

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