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Round of 16 Begins — The Road to MetLife Stadium
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached a thrilling juncture. The newly expanded Round of 32 concluded on July 3, and today — July 4, 2026 — the Round of 16 gets underway across the United States.
With 88 matches already played, 257 goals scored, and a record-shattering 5.7 million spectators packing stadiums across North America, this World Cup has already been historic. Lionel Messi leads the Golden Boot race with 7 goals, while defending champions Argentina remain alive in the tournament.
Here’s everything you need to know as the knockout stage intensifies.
Round of 32 Recap: Shocks & Drama
The first-ever Round of 32 in a 48-team World Cup delivered plenty of surprises:
| Match | Result | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa vs Canada | 0–1 | Eustáquio 90+2′ winner sends Canada to R16 |
| Brazil vs Japan | 2–1 | Martinelli 90+5′ stunner saves Brazil |
| Germany vs Paraguay | 1–1 (3–4 pens) | HUGE UPSET — Germany eliminated |
| Netherlands vs Morocco | — | Morocco advances past Dutch |
The biggest story? Germany’s shocking penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay. Kai Havertz missed the opening spot kick, and despite Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, and Nadiem Amiri converting, Jonathan Tah’s miss in sudden death allowed Paraguay’s José Canale to seal a historic 4–3 shootout win. It’s the first time Germany has lost a World Cup penalty shootout — and the third consecutive World Cup where Die Mannschaft failed to reach the last 16.
Paraguay’s president declared a national holiday to celebrate.
Today’s Round of 16 Fixtures (July 4)
| Time (ET) | Match | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 PM | Canada vs Morocco | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX |
| 5:00 PM | Paraguay vs France | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA |
Canada vs Morocco — 1:00 PM ET
Canada makes history by playing in their first-ever Round of 16 match after Stephen Eustáquio’s stoppage-time winner against South Africa. They face a dangerous Morocco side that eliminated the Netherlands. Can Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David lead Canada deeper into the tournament?
Paraguay vs France — 5:00 PM ET
Fresh off their monumental upset of Germany, Paraguay faces a massive challenge: 2022 runners-up France. Les Bleus boast incredible depth and experience, but Paraguay’s confidence is sky-high after their historic penalty shootout triumph.
Upcoming Round of 16 Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| July 5 | Brazil vs Norway | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| July 5 | Mexico vs England | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| July 6 | Portugal vs Spain | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| July 6 | United States vs Belgium | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood |
| July 7 | Two more matches | TBD |
Looking Ahead: Quarterfinals & Beyond
The winners advance to the quarterfinals on July 9–11, followed by the semifinals on July 14–15. The grand Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 will feature the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show headlined by Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
FAQ
Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup?
Matches are broadcast on FOX (English) and Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish) in the US, with streaming on FOX Sports and Fubo.
How does the new knockout format work?
32 teams qualified from the group stage. It’s single elimination from here — 90 minutes, extra time if needed, then penalties.
Who is the top scorer so far?
Lionel Messi (Argentina) leads with 7 goals. The tournament has seen 257 goals in 88 matches.
Has the attendance record been broken?
Yes! With 5,702,686 spectators, the 2026 World Cup shattered the record set by the 1994 US World Cup.
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