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The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 is officially underway, and the intensity has ramped up dramatically. Morocco crushed co-hosts Canada 3-0 in Houston, while France needed a second-half Kylian Mbappé penalty to edge past a gritty Paraguay side in Philadelphia.
🇲🇦 Morocco 3 – 0 🇨🇦 Canada — Houston, TX
Co-hosts Canada became the first host nation eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a dominant second-half display from the Atlas Lions at NRG Stadium.
- 50′ — Azzedine Ounahi sweeps home Achraf Hakimi’s cut-back free-kick to open the scoring
- 82′ — Ounahi bags his second on a lightning breakaway, sealing the win
- 90+3′ — Soufiane Rahimi slides in a third in stoppage time to cap the rout
Canada started brightly with Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi both denied one-on-one by Bono inside the first 11 minutes. But yellow cards flew fast — eight in total — and Morocco’s quality prevailed after the interval. “There was one team on the pitch,” said Canada boss Jesse Marsch of his side’s first-half performance. “We were better than the number seven team in the world today.”
Canada bows out after their most successful men’s World Cup campaign ever — their first win, first knockout victory, and first group-stage progression in history.
🇫🇷 France 1 – 0 🇵🇾 Paraguay — Philadelphia, PA
France needed all their experience to break down a well-organized Paraguay side at Lincoln Financial Field. The match was a tactical battle — only the third World Cup knockout tie since 1966 to go goalless in the first half with zero shots on target from either side.
- 64′ — Kylian Mbappé slots a cool penalty after Désiré Doué’s dazzling footwork draws the foul
Mbappé, still just 27, now has 19 World Cup goals in 19 games — chasing Lionel Messi’s all-time record of 20. Paraguay’s defensive effort was valiant (13 fouls, zero yellow cards), but France’s star power proved the difference once again.
📅 Round of 16 — What’s Next
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Sun July 5 | 🇧🇷 Brazil vs 🇳🇴 Norway | 1:00 PM |
| Sun July 5 | Second Round of 16 match | 5:00 PM |
| Mon July 6 | 🇲🇽 Mexico vs 🏴 England | TBD |
| Mon July 6 | Second Round of 16 match | TBD |
| Tue July 7 | Two Round of 16 matches | TBD |
Brazil vs Norway today promises fireworks. Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil have looked dangerous all tournament, while Norway — led by the ever-dangerous Erling Haaland — knocked out Ivory Coast in the Round of 32. Tomorrow, Mexico faces England in what could be a raucous atmosphere at one of the US venues.
🏆 Quarter-Final Picture
With Morocco and France through, the bracket is filling up. Quarter-finals are scheduled for July 9–11, semi-finals on July 14–15, the third-place match on July 18, and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — featuring the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show with Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
❓ FAQ
When is the World Cup Final?
July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Which teams have been eliminated so far?
Canada and Paraguay were knocked out in the Round of 16. Germany, Netherlands, Croatia, Senegal, and others were eliminated in the Round of 32.
How can I watch the World Cup in the US?
All matches air on FOX. Streaming is available via fubo (free trial).
How many World Cup goals does Kylian Mbappé have?
Mbappé has 19 goals from 19 World Cup matches — second all-time behind Lionel Messi’s 20.
Final Thoughts
The Round of 16 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in World Cup history. Morocco look dangerous, France are grinding out results, and we still have Brazil, Argentina, Spain, England, and the USA to factor in. Buckle up — this knockout stage is only getting started.
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