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The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is here. After 57 matches across the group stage and the newly introduced Round of 32, the field has been cut from 48 teams down to 16 — and the Round of 16 kicks off today, Saturday July 4, across North America.
With two matches on the slate — Canada vs Morocco in Houston and France vs Paraguay in Philadelphia — the road to the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 is now crystal clear. Here’s everything you need to know.
📋 Round of 32 Recap: The Biggest Upsets
The expanded 48-team format delivered drama from the very first knockout round. Here are the matches that defined the Round of 32:
| Date | Match | Result | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Jul 3 | Argentina vs Cape Verde | 3-2 (ET) | Cape Verde equalized twice; Messi decisive in extra time |
| Fri Jul 3 | Egypt vs Australia | 1-1 (4-2 pens) | Egypt advances on penalties after late drama |
| Fri Jul 3 | Colombia vs Ghana | 1-0 | Colombia’s 3rd straight clean sheet |
| Thu Jul 2 | Spain vs Austria | 3-0 | Dominant display; Spain looks dangerous |
| Thu Jul 2 | Portugal vs Croatia | 2-1 | Ronaldo’s side edges past gritty Croatia |
| Thu Jul 2 | Switzerland vs Algeria | 2-0 | Swiss cruise into Round of 16 |
| Wed Jul 1 | USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | 2-0 | Host nation advances comfortably |
| Wed Jul 1 | Belgium vs Senegal | 3-2 (ET) | Belgium rallies from 2-0 down in the comeback of the tournament |
| Wed Jul 1 | England vs DR Congo | 2-1 | England survives scare |
| Tue Jun 30 | France vs Sweden | 3-0 | France tops the tournament in goals (13) |
| Mon Jun 29 | Paraguay vs Germany | 1-1 (4-3 pens) | ⚡ MAJOR UPSET: Germany eliminated! |
| Mon Jun 29 | Morocco vs Netherlands | 1-1 (3-2 pens) | ⚡ MAJOR UPSET: Netherlands sent home! |
The two biggest shocks of the round were undoubtedly Germany — who fell to Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw — and the Netherlands, who suffered the same fate against a resilient Morocco side. Both European giants are heading home earlier than expected.
🏆 Round of 16 Schedule: July 4-7
All times Eastern. Every match is single-elimination:
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat Jul 4 | 🇨🇦 Canada vs Morocco 🇲🇦 | 1:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Sat Jul 4 | 🇫🇷 France vs Paraguay 🇵🇾 | 5:00 PM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| Sun Jul 5 | 🇧🇷 Brazil vs Norway 🇳🇴 | 4:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Sun Jul 5 | 🇲🇽 Mexico vs England 🏴 | 8:00 PM | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Mon Jul 6 | 🇵🇹 Portugal vs Spain 🇪🇸 | 3:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| Mon Jul 6 | 🇧🇪 Belgium vs USA 🇺🇸 | 8:00 PM | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| Tue Jul 7 | 🇦🇷 Argentina vs Egypt 🇪🇬 | 12:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Tue Jul 7 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland vs Colombia 🇨🇴 | 4:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
🔥 Today’s Matches (July 4) to Watch
🇨🇦 Canada vs Morocco 🇲🇦 — 1:00 PM ET (NRG Stadium, Houston)
Canada makes history as the first team to reach the Round of 16 in the country’s history after a dramatic 1-0 win over South Africa in the Round of 32. Captain Alphonso Davies returned from injury in that match and could be fully fit here. Morocco, meanwhile, stunned the Netherlands on penalties and brings tournament experience from their 2022 semifinal run. This is a battle between a rising host nation and an African powerhouse that knows how to navigate knockout football.
🇫🇷 France vs Paraguay 🇵🇾 — 5:00 PM ET (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
France has been the most prolific team in the tournament, scoring 13 goals in 4 matches. Kylian Mbappé and company look unstoppable, but Paraguay just eliminated Germany — the reigning European champions — on penalties. Paraguay’s defensive discipline could frustrate France, but Les Bleus’ firepower might be too much to contain over 90 minutes.
🎯 Looking Ahead: Must-See Matchups
- Mexico vs England (Sun, Mexico City) — England faces a hostile 85,000-seat Estadio Azteca. Can the Three Lions handle the pressure?
- Portugal vs Spain (Mon, Arlington) — The Iberian Derby. Ronaldo vs Yamal. Winner faces Belgium or USA in the quarterfinals.
- Belgium vs USA (Mon, Seattle) — Host nation USA meets a battle-tested Belgium side coming off an epic comeback win.
- Argentina vs Egypt (Tue, Atlanta) — Defending champions Argentina face an Egypt team that gritted through a penalty shootout.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 start?
The Round of 16 kicks off on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with Canada vs Morocco at 1:00 PM ET and France vs Paraguay at 5:00 PM ET.
Which teams were eliminated in the Round of 32?
Major teams sent home include Germany (lost to Paraguay on penalties), the Netherlands (lost to Morocco on penalties), Sweden, Austria, Croatia, Australia, Ghana, Cape Verde, Senegal, Algeria, and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Where can I watch World Cup 2026 matches in the US?
All matches are broadcast on Fox Sports (FOX, FS1) and streamed on Fubo. Check local listings for exact channels in your area.
When is the World Cup 2026 final?
The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.
How does the new 48-team format work?
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams (24+8=32) advance to the Round of 32, followed by the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final — 104 matches total.
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