The knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have officially arrived at Boston Stadium, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as Germany takes on Paraguay in a win-or-go-home showdown.
What you need to know: Germany and Paraguay meet in Round of 32 knockout at Boston Stadium
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Fans packed outside the stadium are gearing up for what promises to be an intense battle, with a spot in the next round on the line. In this stage of the tournament, there’s no margin for error — one mistake could end a team’s World Cup run.
Germany enters the match as the clear favorite, but analysts say Paraguay may have a path to pull off an upset.
Boston 25 soccer analyst Julian Cardello says confidence and aggression will be key for Paraguay if they hope to advance.
“They need to match Germany physically and not be afraid to attack,” Cardello said. “Germany’s goalkeeper has struggled statistically in this tournament, so there are opportunities there if Paraguay can put pressure on and get shots off.”
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As the field narrows in the Round of 32, expectations rise for soccer’s global powerhouses to take control.
“At this point, you expect the top teams to show up,” Cardello said. “The Germans, the Spanish, the French — they’re expected to get the job done. It doesn’t mean they will, but that’s the expectation.”
With every round cutting the field in half, the intensity is only building. Teams that started in a pool of 48 are now down to 32, and the path forward becomes even more demanding from here.
Another key difference in knockout play: no holding back.
“You’re not going to see key players resting,” Cardello added. “Everyone wants to be on the field, and coaches are putting their best lineups out there. It’s all about winning — you don’t leave anything to chance.”
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Germany vs. Paraguay kicks off at 4:30 p.m. The game can be seen on Boston 25 News.
Follow live updates leading up to, during, and after the match:
6:33 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Germany and Paraguay are tied at 90:00 and go into overtime.
5:52 p.m.
5:48 p.m.
5:45 p.m.
GERMANY and Paraguay are now TIED!
5:18 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
PARAGUAY takes the lead over Germany in the 1st half at Boston Stadium!
4:25 p.m.
The match is set to kick off as both teams sing their national anthem.
3 p.m.
Fans of Germany and Paraguay have packed Patriot Place ahead of the huge match.
2 p.m.
Boston 25 Soccer Analyst Julian Cardillo previews Team USA’s first knockout match on Wednesday.
1 p.m.
Paraguay fans are ready four hours ahead of kickoff in Foxborough. Some of the German fans said they needed a few beers before they got loud.
12 p.m.
Some big New England Revolution news is coming.
11 a.m.
Boston 25’s Lauren Walsh and Julian Cardillo preview the upcoming “dogfight” between Germany and Paraguay.
10:15 a.m.
Boston Stadium trains Groups A & B are now boarding at South Station.
10 a.m.
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security reminds fans to check train schedules and Boston Stadium guidance before heading out.
9:45 a.m.
Boston 25 Chief Meteorologist Shiri Spear says the matchday forecast is the “pick of the week.”
9 a.m.
Heavy traffic is expected in and around Foxborough today, and fans heading to the match are urged to plan ahead.
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