The FIFA World Cup 2026 reaches the Round of 16 after the knockout field is largely set following results from the previous round. Argentina advances after a difficult match against Cape Verde, setting up a Round of 16 clash with Egypt. Portugal also qualifies after defeating Croatia, and it is paired against Spain in one of the most anticipated ties. Several other Round of 16 matchups are confirmed: Canada plays Morocco, Paraguay faces France, Brazil meets Norway, and Mexico takes on England. The schedule also includes USA versus Belgium and Switzerland against the winner of the Colombia versus Ghana tie, with the last remaining spot still to be decided. Across the prior round, notable results include Spain’s 3-0 win over Austria, a late comeback by Belgium against Senegal, and Germany and the Netherlands exiting after penalty shootouts against Paraguay and Morocco, respectively. Quarter-finals are set to run from July 10 to July 12, with venues including Foxborough, Inglewood, Miami Gardens and Kansas City.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 confirmed: Argentina vs Egypt and Portugal vs Spain headline
The FIFA World Cup 2026 reaches the Round of 16 after the knockout field is largely set following results from the previous round. Argentina advances after a difficult match against Cape Verde, settin...
- The Round of 16 matchups are confirmed following Round of 32 results.
- Argentina qualifies after defeating Cape Verde and will play Egypt in the Round of 16.
- Portugal meets Spain in a Round of 16 tie after Portugal beat Croatia in the previous round.
- Belgium advances and will face the USA in the Round of 16.
- Switzerland’s Round of 16 opponent will be determined by the Colombia vs Ghana result; quarter-finals run July 10–12.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 enters its Round of 16 with eight high-stakes knockout fixtures featuring some of football's biggest stars. Lionel Messi's Argentina will take on Mohamed Salah's giant-killing Egypt, while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal face European rivals Spain in two of the most anticipated ties of the tournament.The last 16 line-up also features Brazil against Norway, where Erling Haaland will look to end the Selecao's title hopes, while England face an in-form Mexico side after both teams negotiated tricky Round of 32 encounters.The Round of 16 is set ✔️#FIFAWorldCup— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 4, 2026 The action begins on Saturday with Canada taking on surprise package Morocco, who stunned the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to reach the Round of 16. France, meanwhile, face Paraguay after the South Americans knocked out Germany on penalties in one of the biggest upsets of the previous round.Brazil, led by Vinicius Jr., will meet Haaland's Norway in what promises to be an entertaining contest, while England will look to continue their campaign against hosts Mexico in another blockbuster fixture.Messi, Ronaldo Headline Final Four FixturesTuesday's schedule features arguably the tie of the round as Portugal meet Spain, reviving one of international football's fiercest rivalries. The United States will also face Belgium for a place in the quarter-finals.Later that day, Argentina and Egypt lock horns in a dream showdown between Messi and Salah after the Pharaohs created history by eliminating Australia in their first-ever World Cup knockout victory. The Round of 16 concludes on Wednesday with Switzerland facing Colombia for the final quarter-final berth.Argentina Survive Cabo Verde Scare With 3-2 Extra-Time Win, Set Up FIFA World Cup Round Of 16 Clash Against Egypt | VideoFIFA World Cup 2026 - Round Of 16 FixturesSaturday, July 4: Canada vs Morocco - 10:30 PM ISTSunday, July 5: Paraguay vs France - 2:30 AM ISTMonday, July 6: Brazil vs Norway - 1:30 AM ISTMonday, July 6: Mexico vs England - 5:30 AM ISTTuesday, July 7: Portugal vs Spain - 12:30 AM ISTTuesday, July 7: USA vs Belgium - 5:30 AM ISTTuesday, July 7: Argentina vs Egypt - 9:30 PM ISTWednesday, July 8: Switzerland vs Colombia - 1:30 AM IST
4 hours agoThe FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 matches are confirmed after Argentina scraped past Cape Verde on Saturday to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 next knockout Round, where the defending champions will now face Egypt. The win capped a wild few days of knockout football that saw Portugal beat Croatia 2-1, Spain crush Austria 3-0, and Belgium stun Senegal with a last-gasp penalty in extra time. Germany and Netherlands, meanwhile, crashed out on penalties against Paraguay and Morocco respectively.FIFA World Cup Round Of 16 Fixtures IST and US time Date (IST)MatchTime (IST)Time (US ET)VenueJuly 4Canada vs Morocco10:30 PM1:00 PM (July 4)HoustonJuly 5Paraguay vs France2:30 AM5:00 PM (July 4)PhiladelphiaJuly 6Brazil vs Norway1:30 AM4:00 PM (July 5)East RutherfordJuly 6Mexico vs England5:30 AM8:00 PM (July 5)Mexico CityJuly 7Portugal vs Spain12:30 AM3:00 PM (July 6)ArlingtonJuly 7USA vs Belgium5:30 AM8:00 PM (July 6)SeattleJuly 7Argentina vs Egypt9:30 PM12:00 PM (July 7)AtlantaJuly 8Switzerland vs Colombia/Ghana1:30 AM4:00 PM (July 7)VancouverFifa World Cup 2026 Quarter Finals DateThe quarter-finals will run from July 10 to July 12, with matches set for Foxborough, Inglewood, Miami Gardens and Kansas City.Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule Indian Time (IST) PDF: Check downloadable full list of games, dates and kick-off timingsBelgium Makes A Comeback For The AgesBelgium's win over Senegal stood out as the tie of the round. The Red Devils trailed until the 86th minute, then scored twice inside three minutes through Romelu Lukaku and captain Youri Tielemans to level the game. Tielemans was not done. He struck again in the 124th minute, from the penalty spot, in the deepest minute of stoppage time ever recorded at a World Cup. Senegal's dream ended in heartbreak. Belgium will next take on co-hosts USA in the last 16.Ronaldo Turns Back The ClockPortugal needed something special against Croatia, and Cristiano Ronaldo delivered. His penalty, combined with a header from Goncalo Ramos, sealed a 2-1 win. Ronaldo dedicated the victory to his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, saying, "We won to honour him." He also brushed off talk about stepping back from football after comments from his sister went viral, saying, "I don't make reckless decisions."Spain Cruise, Argentina SweatSpain barely broke a sweat, thrashing Austria 3-0 to march into the Round of 16. Argentina had a tougher night. Cape Verde, the smallest nation left in the tournament, pushed the reigning champions to the brink before Lionel Scaloni's side found a way through. Argentina will now meet Egypt.Who Else Has Made The CutFifteen of the sixteen Round of 16 spots are filled. Joining Argentina, Portugal, Spain and Belgium are co-hosts Canada, along with Morocco, Paraguay, France, Brazil, Norway, Mexico, England, USA, Switzerland and Egypt. Only the winner of the Colombia-Ghana tie remains to be decided.
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