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World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Heats Up — Last 16 Kicks Off in North America
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially entered the knockout phase, and if the Round of 32 was any indicator, we’re in for a wild ride across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the Round of 16 kicking off today, here’s everything you need to know.
Round of 32 Wrap-Up — Key Results
The expanded 48-team format delivered drama from start to finish. Here’s how the last 32 shook out:
| Match | Score | Winner |
|---|
Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde — Game of the Tournament So Far
The defending champions were pushed to the absolute limit by the tiny island nation of Cape Verde in Miami. Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a trademark finish, but Cape Verde equalized through Ryan Mendes. Lisandro Martínez put Argentina ahead in extra time, only for Sydney Lopes Cabral to produce one of the goals of the tournament — a stunning strike from distance to make it 2-2.
Cristian Romero proved the hero, nodding home from a Messi corner in the 111th minute to snatch a 3-2 victory. Cape Verde had chances to equalize again but ran out of time. Argentina will now face Egypt in Atlanta in the Round of 16.
Colombia 1-0 Ghana — Dark Horses Emerge
Colombia continued their impressive run with a dominant display in Kansas City. Jhon Arias scored the only goal in the 14th minute, volleying home from close range. Ghana failed to register a single shot on target — a disappointing end for the African side.
Colombia are now unbeaten in their last seven World Cup matches and have kept three consecutive clean sheets. They face Switzerland next in Vancouver.
USA 2-0 Bosnia — Historic Win for the Co-Hosts
Playing with 10 men after Folarin Balogun’s controversial red card, the USA showed tremendous grit to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0. Malik Tillman’s superb free kick sealed the win, sending the co-hosts into the knockout round for the first time since 2014. Up next: a rematch with Belgium in Seattle.
Round of 16 — Full Schedule
Here are all the Round of 16 matchups:
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|——|——-|——-|———–|
| Sat Jul 4 | 🇨🇦 Canada vs 🇲🇦 Morocco | Vancouver | 1:00 PM |
| Sat Jul 4 | 🇵🇾 Paraguay vs 🇫🇷 France | — | 5:00 PM |
| Sun Jul 5 | 🇧🇷 Brazil vs 🇳🇴 Norway | — | 4:00 PM |
| Mon Jul 6 | 🇲🇽 Mexico vs 🏴 England | Mexico City | 8:00 PM |
| Mon Jul 6 | 🇵🇹 Portugal vs 🇪🇸 Spain | — | 3:00 PM |
| Tue Jul 7 | 🇺🇸 USA vs 🇧🇪 Belgium | Seattle | 8:00 PM |
| Tue Jul 7 | 🇦🇷 Argentina vs 🇪🇬 Egypt | Atlanta | 12:00 PM |
| Tue Jul 7 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland vs 🇨🇴 Colombia | Vancouver | 4:00 PM |
Looking Ahead — Quarter-Final Bracket Taking Shape
The quarter-finals promise mouth-watering potential matchups:
– Potential USA vs Argentina final path — If both win their Round of 16 ties, they could meet later in the tournament
– Brazil seeking sixth star — The five-time champions face a tricky Norway side
– England facing host nation Mexico — A massive test for the Three Lions at the iconic Azteca Stadium
– Iberian derby — Portugal vs Spain in the Round of 16 is a final-worthy tie
FAQs
Q: How many teams are in the World Cup 2026 knockout stage?
A: 32 teams advanced from the group stage into the Round of 32. After the Round of 32, 16 teams remain for the Round of 16.
Q: When is the World Cup 2026 final?
A: The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Q: Where is the 2026 World Cup final being held?
A: The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
Q: Which teams are the favorites to win?
A: Brazil, Argentina, France, and Spain are among the favorites, but dark horses like Colombia, Morocco, and the co-host USA have been impressive.
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Stay tuned for more World Cup 2026 coverage — match analysis, betting tips, and the best deals on soccer gear to watch the games in style!