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Matchday 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered drama, goals, and history. Three groups wrapped up their group stage campaigns on June 26, setting the stage for the knockout rounds. Here’s everything you need to know.
Group G: Belgium 5–1 New Zealand
Belgium wins Group G — Kevin De Bruyne scored his first goal of the tournament, Leandro Trossard bagged a brace, and the Red Devils cruised past New Zealand 5–1 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +9 | 9 |
| Egypt | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Iran | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -8 | 0 |
Key moments: Trossard opened the scoring in the 12th minute. De Bruyne added Belgium’s second before halftime. Trossard completed his brace early in the second half. New Zealand pulled one back but Belgium responded with two more.
Egypt makes history — In the other Group G match at Lumen Field in Seattle, Egypt held Iran to a 1–1 draw, advancing past the group stage for the first time in their history. Mohamed Salah left the match early with a left knee injury, casting doubt on his availability for the knockout round. Iran had a potential winning goal called back for offside.
Group H: Spain 1–0 Uruguay
Spain clinches Group H with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Uruguay at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +5 | 9 |
| Cape Verde | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 1 |
Lamine Yamal once again proved decisive. Uruguay’s AgustĂn Canobbio received a stoppage-time red card and was held back from the referee in a chaotic finish. Uruguay is eliminated. Coach Marcelo Bielsa said he has “left nothing” to the national team.
Group I: France 4–1 Norway
France wins Group I as Ousmane Dembélé announced himself as a tournament star with a stunning first-half hat trick in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +8 | 9 |
| Norway | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
| Senegal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| Iraq | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -8 | 0 |
Norway rested Erling Haaland and nine other starters to preserve them for the knockout stage. The PSG duo of DembĂ©lĂ© and DĂ©sirĂ© DouĂ© ran riot. Senegal thrashed Iraq 5–0, with Ismaila Sarr becoming Senegal’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.
Cape Verde: The Fairy Tale Continues
The story of the tournament so far is Cape Verde. The tiny island nation — the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage — secured their place in the Round of 32. Their reward? A matchup against defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi.
Other Headlines
- USA 2–3 Turkey — The USMNT lost but advanced to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
- England qualified for the knockout stage before playing Panama on Saturday.
- Ismaila Sarr became Senegal’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer.
Looking Ahead: Saturday’s Key Matches
| Match | Venue | Stakes |
|---|---|---|
| England vs Panama | Philadelphia | Group finale |
| Argentina vs Jordan | Dallas (9PM ET) | Group finale |
| Algeria vs Austria | TBD | Knockout positioning |
| Colombia vs Portugal | Miami (Hard Rock) | Group stage closeout |
FAQ
Q: When does the World Cup Round of 32 start?
A: The Round of 32 begins on June 28, 2026, following the conclusion of all group stage matches.
Q: How do third-place teams qualify?
A: The four best third-place finishers across all groups advance. Iran and Senegal are among those waiting to learn their fate.
Q: Is Mohamed Salah’s injury serious?
A: Salah left the Iran match with a left knee injury. Egypt will provide an update ahead of their Round of 32 match against Australia in Dallas.
Q: Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup?
A: All matches broadcast on Fox, FS1, and streaming on Fubo.
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