What happened: The 2026 World Cup is entering its closing stages, with less than three weeks remaining before a champion is crowned. The tournament has commanded wide attention across the sports world through a packed run of knockout-stage drama.

Why it matters: The event has pulled in fans well beyond soccer's usual audience, including followers of other sports who have been swept up in the run. Its final weeks set up the highest-stakes matches of the entire tournament.

What to watch: Watch the remaining knockout fixtures as the field narrows toward the final. The closing weeks will decide the title before the tournament wraps.