# World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Heats Up: Morocco Stuns Canada, Mbappe & Messi Battle for Golden Boot
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is delivering drama in abundance as the knockout stage intensifies across North America. With the Round of 16 in full swing and the quarter-finals already taking shape, here’s everything you need to know.
## Morocco Dominates Canada in Round of 16
Morocco became the first team to book their place in the quarter-finals after a convincing **3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada** on July 4 at BMO Field in Toronto. The Atlas Lions put on a clinical display, silencing the home crowd and continuing their remarkable run from the 2022 tournament where they became the first African semi-finalist.
France joined them shortly after with a **narrow 1-0 win against a spirited Paraguay side**, showing their championship pedigree even without their best form.
## Messi vs Mbappe: The Golden Boot Race
The two superstars who lit up the 2022 final are doing it again. **Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are tied at 7 goals each**, setting up an epic battle for the Golden Boot. Both players have been instrumental for their teams — Messi carrying Argentina through tricky knockout matches and Mbappe terrorizing defenses with his pace and finishing.
Behind them, **Erling Haaland (Norway) and Harry Kane (England) sit at 5 goals each**, with plenty of knockout football still to play.
## Upcoming Round of 16 Matches to Watch
| Match | Venue | Date |
|——-|——-|——|
| Brazil vs Norway | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | July 5 |
| England vs Mexico | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | July 5 |
| Argentina vs TBD | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | July 6 |
| USA (already advanced) vs TBD | TBC | TBC |
The **Brazil vs Norway** clash is arguably the most anticipated — the five-time champions against Haaland’s surging Norway side. Meanwhile, **England vs Mexico at the iconic Azteca** is a heavyweight showdown with historic stakes.
## Record-Breaking Tournament
The 2026 World Cup has already made history. The expanded **48-team format** (12 groups of 4, top 2 + 8 best third-placed teams advance) has produced **261 goals in 90 matches** so far. Total attendance has surpassed **5.8 million**, breaking the record set by USA 1994.
New rules including 10-second substitutions, 5-second restarts for time-wasting, and mandatory hydration breaks have kept the tempo high throughout the tournament.
## Key Takeaways So Far
– **USA advanced** past Bosnia 2-0 in the Round of 32 but face a tough path ahead
– **Canada and Mexico** eliminated despite home advantage — only USA remains of the co-hosts
– **Germany, Netherlands, Belgium** all fell early in shock exits
– The final will be played at **MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)** on **July 19** with a Super Bowl-style halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira, and BTS
## FAQ
### Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup in the US?
All matches are broadcast on **Fox Sports** (English) and **Telemundo/Peacock** (Spanish). Streaming options include Fox Sports app, FuboTV, and YouTube TV.
### Which teams are the favorites to win?
France and Argentina are the bookmakers’ top picks based on current form, followed by Brazil and England. Morocco has emerged as a dark horse after their dominant performance against Canada.
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