India, June 28 -- Portugal vs Argentina will not be a World Cup knockout blockbuster before the final. That is the first and most important point to understand from the 2026 FIFA World Cup bracket, especially after Portugal's group-stage finish placed them on a route separate from Argentina's.

The temptation is obvious. Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal are still alive. Lionel Messi's Argentina are still alive. Every knockout round now carries the emotional possibility of the last dance between the two defining footballers of the modern era. But the draw has not set them up for an early collision. It has actually pushed that possibility all the way to the end.

Portugal finished second in Group K after their goalless draw against Colombia and...