2026 World Cup Round of 16 Heats Up: Mexico Advance, Brazil Battle Norway, England Face Mexico

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Mexico 2-0 Ecuador: Historic Win at the Azteca

Co-hosts Mexico produced a stunning performance to defeat Ecuador 2-0 at the legendary Estadio Azteca, securing their first knockout stage win since 1986.

Goals from Julián Quiñones (his third of the tournament) and veteran Raúl Jiménez gave El Tri a commanding first-half lead. Despite a thunderstorm delaying kick-off by an hour, the 80,000-plus crowd created an electric atmosphere that visibly rattled Ecuador from the first whistle.

Key stats from the match:

Mexico have scored 8 goals and conceded **zero** across 4 matches

The Azteca remains a fortress — Mexico have won 70 of 89 competitive matches there

Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié became the second player at this tournament to receive a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent (following Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón)

Mexico will now face the winner of England vs. DR Congo or England vs. Mexico in the quarterfinals on Monday.

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Brazil vs. Norway: Tense Battle in New Jersey

The Brazil vs. Norway Round of 16 clash at the New Jersey Stadium has been a tightly contested affair. Norway made a bold start, with Patrick Berg having an early goal ruled out for offside, while Brazil’s Bruno Guimarães saw his VAR-awarded penalty saved by Ørjan Nyland early in the first half.

All eyes are on the duel between Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Gabriel (Arsenal) — a Premier League rivalry brought to the world stage. With Brazil’s last World Cup win dating back to 2002, the pressure is mounting on the five-time champions to break their 24-year drought.

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England vs. Mexico: A Clash of Styles

Later today, England takes on Mexico in what promises to be a tactical battle at the Mexico City Stadium. In a surprising lineup move, Jarell Quansah is set to start at right-back for England, with Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon expected to replace Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford.

Expected England XI: Pickford; Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

England will need to overcome the altitude factor — the Azteca sits at 2,200 meters above sea level — as well as a passionate home crowd of 80,000+.

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Upcoming Schedule

Date	Match	Venue	Stage
July 5	Brazil vs. Norway	New Jersey	Round of 16
July 5	England vs. Mexico	Mexico City	Round of 16
July 6	Round of 16 (2 matches)	Various	Round of 16
July 7	Round of 16 (2 matches)	Various	Round of 16
July 9-10	Quarterfinals	Various	Quarterfinals
July 11-12	Semifinals	Various	Semifinals
July 12	FIFA World Cup Final	TBD	Final

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FAQ

Which teams have advanced to the quarterfinals so far?

Mexico is the first confirmed quarterfinalist after their 2-0 victory over Ecuador. Brazil and Norway are battling for the second spot, while England and Mexico play later today.

Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup matches?

Matches are broadcast globally on major sports networks. In the US, FOX Sports holds the English-language rights. Check your local listings for specific match times.

What is the format of the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 edition features 48 teams divided into 12 groups of 4. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to a 32-team knockout stage.

Who are the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup?

Brazil enters as the historical favorite despite their long drought, but host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada have shown strong form. European powers like France and England are also in contention.

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Stay tuned for updates as the knockout stage continues across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Which team are you backing to lift the trophy on July 12?