World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Starts: Morocco Dominates Canada, France Faces Paraguay Tonight

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage heats up as the Round of 16 begins today, July 4, with Morocco putting on a clinic against co-host Canada and France preparing to face surprise package Paraguay in Philadelphia.

Morocco 3-0 Canada: Atlas Lions Roar

Morocco made a massive statement in Houston, sweeping aside Canada 3-0 to become the first team into the quarterfinals. Azzedine Ounahi inspired the Moroccan attack, slicing through the Canadian defense with precision passing and relentless pressure.

Canada, making their deepest World Cup run ever, started brightly with thunderous pace but could not convert their early chances. Morocco punished them ruthlessly on the counter, scoring all three goals in a dominant display.

Morocco will face the winner of Portugal vs. Spain (Monday, Dallas) in the quarterfinals — a mouthwatering prospect for the 2022 semifinalists.

France vs. Paraguay: Mbappé and Co. Face Giant-Killers

Tonight’s marquee matchup (5 PM ET, Fox / Fubo) pits tournament favorites France against a Paraguay side still buzzing from their stunning penalty shootout victory over Germany in the Round of 32.

Paraguay held Germany to a 1-1 draw before winning 4-3 on penalties — one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far. Kylian Mbappé leads a French attack that has scored 10 goals in four matches, looking every bit the Golden Boot favorite.

Can Paraguay pull off another shocker, or will France’s firepower prove too much? The match kicks off at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Round of 16 Schedule

Date Match Venue Time (ET)
Sat, July 4 Morocco 3-0 Canada ✅ Houston 1 PM
Sat, July 4 Paraguay vs. France Philadelphia 5 PM
Sun, July 5 Brazil vs. Norway NY/NJ Stadium 4 PM
Sun, July 5 Mexico vs. England Mexico City 8 PM
Mon, July 6 Portugal vs. Spain Dallas 3 PM
Mon, July 6 Belgium vs. USA Seattle 8 PM
Tue, July 7 Egypt vs. Argentina Atlanta 12 PM
Tue, July 7 Switzerland vs. Colombia Vancouver 4 PM

Key Storylines to Watch

USA vs. Belgium (Monday, 8 PM ET): The USMNT faces a Belgian side that pulled off a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to beat Senegal 3-2. Christian Pulisic and company will need to be sharp from the first whistle.

Mexico vs. England (Sunday, 8 PM ET): A massive clash in Mexico City. England has looked solid but unspectacular; Mexico has home-field advantage and passionate support.

Brazil vs. Norway: Erling Haaland vs. Brazil’s star-studded attack. Norway has quietly been impressive.

Portugal vs. Spain: The Iberian Derby in Dallas. These two know each other well — expect a tactical chess match.

How to Watch

All World Cup 2026 matches are available on Fox and Fubo (US only). Stream live with a free trial on Fubo.

FAQ

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.

How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 tournament features 48 teams — expanded from 32 — playing 104 matches across 16 venues in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Where can I watch World Cup 2026 matches?

All matches are broadcast on Fox (English) and Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish) in the US. Streaming is available on Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Which teams are the favorites?

France, Brazil, Argentina, and England are the top contenders. France looks particularly dangerous with Mbappé leading the Golden Boot race.

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This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, PC Master Deals earns from qualifying purchases. But our opinions are our own — we call it like we see it.

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