What Is the FIFA World Cup Round of 16?

The Round of 16 is the second knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

For the first time in FIFA World Cup history:

• 48 teams participated.
• 32 teams advanced from the group stage.
• 16 teams survived the Round of 32.
• Winners now advance to the Quarter-finals.

Unlike the group stage, every Round of 16 match is single elimination.

If the score is level after 90 minutes:

• 30 minutes of extra time are played.
• If still tied, the match goes to a penalty shootout.

This means every match is a win-or-go-home contest.

Several football giants including Germany, Netherlands and Croatia were eliminated before reaching this stage, making the 2026 tournament one of the most unpredictable in World Cup history.

Round of 16 Fixtures

July 4

Morocco 3–0 Canada ✅

Winner: Morocco

France 1-0 Paraguay

Winner: France

July 5

Brazil 2-3 Norway

Winner: Norway

Mexico 2-3 England

Winner: England

July 6

Portugal 0-1 Spain

Winner: Spain

United States vs Belgium

July 7

Argentina vs Egypt

Switzerland vs Colombia

The winners of these eight matches will qualify for the Quarter-finals.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Update

Round of 16 Results So Far

Morocco 3–0 Canada 🇲🇦

Morocco became the first nation to book a place in the Quarter-finals after a commanding victory over Canada.

Highlights:

• Dominated possession throughout the match.
• Another disciplined defensive performance.
• Clinical finishing in the second half.
• Continued their outstanding tournament run.

France 1–0 Paraguay 🇫🇷

France secured a hard-fought victory thanks to a second-half penalty from Kylian Mbappé.

Highlights:

• Mbappé scored the decisive goal.
• France maintained another clean sheet.
• Les Bleus advanced to face Morocco in the Quarter-finals.

Norway 2–1 Brazil 🇳🇴

One of the biggest upsets of the tournament saw Norway eliminate five-time champions Brazil.

Highlights:

• Erling Haaland scored twice.
• Norway reached their first-ever FIFA World Cup Quarter-final.
• Brazil suffered an early exit, after which Neymar announced his international retirement.

England 3–2 Mexico 🏴

England survived a thrilling contest against co-hosts Mexico despite playing with ten men for much of the second half.

Highlights:

• Jude Bellingham scored twice.
• Harry Kane added a penalty.
• England held off Mexico’s late comeback.
• Quarter-final clash with Norway confirmed.

Spain 1–0 Portugal 🇪🇸

Spain edged Portugal with a dramatic stoppage-time winner to book their place in the last eight.

Highlights:

• Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the 91st minute.
• Spain dominated possession throughout the match.
• Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey came to an end.
• Spain will face the winner of USA vs Belgium.

Biggest Talking Points

Morocco Continues Africa’s Dream

Morocco continues to build on its remarkable World Cup legacy with another composed and convincing knockout victory. Their defensive organization and dangerous counterattacks make them one of the tournament’s most difficult teams to beat.

Norway Shocks Brazil

Norway produced the tournament’s biggest upset by eliminating Brazil. Haaland’s late brace sent the Scandinavian nation into its first-ever World Cup Quarter-final.

England Survives a Thriller

Despite going down to ten men, England showed resilience to overcome Mexico in one of the most entertaining matches of the Round of 16.

Spain Ends Portugal’s Campaign

Spain advanced thanks to a dramatic late winner, ending Portugal’s tournament and Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.

Egypt Chasing More History

After their historic penalty-shootout victory over Australia, Egypt now face defending champions Argentina with hopes of producing another unforgettable upset.

Remaining Round of 16 Fixtures

• 🇺🇸 USA vs Belgium
• 🇦🇷 Argentina vs Egypt
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland vs Colombia

Confirmed Quarter-finals

• 🇲🇦 Morocco vs 🇫🇷 France
• 🇳🇴 Norway vs 🏴 England

Remaining Quarter-final Places

• 🇪🇸 Spain vs Winner of USA vs Belgium
• Winner of Argentina vs Egypt vs Winner of Switzerland vs Colombia

Biggest Stars Still in the Tournament

• Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
• Kylian Mbappé (France)
• Jude Bellingham (England)
• Erling Haaland (Norway)
• Vinícius Júnior (Brazil eliminated)
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal eliminated)
• Christian Pulisic (USA)
• Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

Tournament Statistics

• Teams remaining in the Round of 16: 11
• Quarter-finalists confirmed: 5
• Quarter-final spots remaining: 3
• Knockout format: Single Elimination
• Extra time: 30 minutes if tied
• Penalty shootout if still level

The eventual World Cup champion must still win:

• Quarter-final
• Semi-final
• Final

Why the Round of 16 Matters

The knockout stage has already delivered dramatic upsets, historic achievements, and unforgettable moments. Morocco continues Africa’s dream, Norway stunned Brazil, England survived a thriller, and Spain knocked out Portugal in dramatic fashion. With only three Round of 16 matches remaining, the road to the FIFA World Cup trophy is becoming clearer, and every match now carries enormous stakes.