The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 marks the beginning of the second knockout stage of the tournament and brings together the 16 teams that successfully advance from the Round of 32. With every match becoming a win-or-go-home contest, the competition intensifies as nations battle for a place in the quarterfinals.
The Round of 16 will be played from July 4 to July 7, 2026, featuring eight knockout matches across host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The winners will move one step closer to the World Cup title, while the losing teams will see their tournament journey come to an end.
2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Stage | Round of 16 |
| Dates | July 4–7, 2026 |
| Total Matches | 8 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Format | Single-Elimination |
| Host Countries | United States, Mexico, Canada |
| Advancement | Winners qualify for Quarterfinals |
| Tie Resolution | Extra Time and Penalty Shootout if required |
The Round of 16 follows the completion of the Round of 32 and is the stage where the remaining contenders continue their quest for the FIFA World Cup trophy.
How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Works
The Round of 16 features the eight winners from the upper side of the bracket and the eight winners from the lower side of the bracket after the Round of 32.
Each match is played as a single-elimination fixture. If a game is level after 90 minutes, two periods of extra time are played. Should the score remain tied after extra time, the winner is decided through a penalty shootout.
This format ensures that every match produces a winner and keeps the knockout stage moving toward the quarterfinals.
2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Schedule
The Round of 16 is scheduled across four days, with two matches taking place each day.
| Date | Match | Fixture | Kickoff (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 4 | Match 90 | Canada vs Morocco | 1:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| July 4 | Match 89 | Paraguay vs France | 5:00 PM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| July 5 | Match 91 | Brazil vs Norway | 4:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey |
| July 5 | Match 92 | Mexico vs England | 8:00 PM | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| July 6 | Match 93 | Portugal/Croatia vs Spain/Austria | 3:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| July 6 | Match 94 | USA vs Belgium | 8:00 PM | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| July 7 | Match 95 | Argentina/Cabo Verde vs Australia/Egypt | 12:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| July 7 | Match 96 | Switzerland/Algeria vs Colombia/Ghana | 4:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
Several fixtures are already confirmed, while others will be finalized as the remaining Round of 32 matches conclude.
Qualified Teams for the Round of 16
As knockout results continue to be completed, more teams will officially secure their places in the last 16.
Confirmed Round of 16 Teams
- Canada
- Morocco
- Paraguay
- France
- Brazil
- Norway
- Mexico
- England
- USA
- Belgium
Additional nations will be added to the Round of 16 lineup once their respective Round of 32 matches are decided.
2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Bracket
The Round of 16 bracket is formed directly from the winners of the Round of 32. Each knockout winner advances into a predetermined position, creating the pathway to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately the FIFA World Cup Final.
The bracket remains divided into two halves, ensuring that teams from opposite sides cannot meet until the championship match. This structure helps shape the road to the final and creates several potential blockbuster encounters as the tournament progresses.
2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Schedule
Two matches will be played each day from July 4 to July 7.
Canada vs Morocco
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston
Paraguay vs France
Kickoff: 5:00 PM ET
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Brazil vs Norway
Kickoff: 4:00 PM ET
Venue: MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
Mexico vs England
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Portugal/Croatia vs Spain/Austria
Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas
USA vs Belgium
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
Argentina/Cabo Verde vs Australia/Egypt
Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Switzerland/Algeria vs Colombia/Ghana
Kickoff: 4:00 PM ET
Venue: BC Place, Vancouver
What Happens After the Round of 16?
The eight victorious teams will advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals, scheduled from July 9 to July 11, 2026. From there, the competition continues through the semifinals and concludes with the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium.
With national pride, global attention, and a place in football history on the line, the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 promises some of the most exciting matches of the tournament. Fans around the world will be watching closely as the remaining contenders continue their pursuit of football’s biggest prize.