The race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy gathered pace on June 30 as three clashes produced dominant performances, tense finishes, and emotional exits. At New York/New Jersey Stadium, France delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Host nation Mexico delighted its home crowd with a clinical 2-0 win against Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium, while Norway held off Ivory Coast 2-1 in a hard-fought contest at Dallas Stadium. From spectacular celebrations to the heartbreak of elimination, these photos capture the defining moments from another memorable day of World Cup knockout football. APTeam Norway fans in the stands ahead of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Ivory Coast and Norway in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ReutersSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - France v Sweden - New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 30, 2026 A Sweden fan inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/John Sibley ReutersSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - France v Sweden - New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 30, 2026 A Sweden fan eats inside the stadium before the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Vincent Carchietta ReutersSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Mexico v Ecuador - Fans gather in Los Angeles - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - June 30, 2026 Mexico fans celebrate at a watch party in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles after the match as they advance to the round of 16 stage of the World Cup REUTERS/Lisi Niesner ReutersSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Mexico v Ecuador - Fans gather in Mexico City - Mexico City, Mexico - June 30, 2026 A fan in a costume is lifted by other fans before the match REUTERS/Luis Cortes ReutersSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - France v Sweden - New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 30, 2026 Fans pose for a selfie inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez ReutersSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Mexico v Ecuador - Fans gather in Quito - Quito, Ecuador - June 30, 2026 Ecuador fans react at the Mega Plaza La Pradera in Quito during the match REUTERS/Cristina Vega ReutersSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - France v Sweden - New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 30, 2026 France fans with their faces painted inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez APIvory Coast team fans ahead of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Ivory Coast and Norway in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)The Round of 32 action continues on July 1, with three more teams set to book their places in the quarter-finals. England will face DR Congo at Atlanta Stadium, and Belgium takes on Senegal at Seattle Stadium, while co-host United States meets Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Stadium in another crucial knockout encounter.