The group stage of the WMF World Cup 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan has officially concluded, setting the stage for an exciting knockout phase. The tournament, hosted at the National Gymnastics Arena, has already delivered plenty of drama and standout moments.
With 14 of the 16 knockout spots filled by European nations, the tournament now clearly leans toward European dominance. However, the knockout stage brings new pressure, and margins for error are slim. Each match from this point forward is a direct elimination, where a single mistake can end a championship dream.
In the Round of 16, we will witness six all-European battles for a place in the quarterfinals: England vs. Bulgaria, Montenegro vs. Poland, Czechia vs. Israel, Portugal vs. Hungary, Serbia vs. Georgia, and one of the most anticipated matches in World Cup history — Azerbaijan vs. Romania. The remaining two European teams, France and Bosnia and Herzegovina, will take on non-European opponents. France will face Mauritania, while Bosnia and Herzegovina will play against Thailand.
