Exciting Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup

Egypt edged past Australia in a tense match. The two sides were tied 1-1 after 120 minutes, before the African representatives won 4-2 on penalties. This victory made history for Egypt as they reached the Round of 16 for the first time, where Salah and his teammates will face Argentina.

The highlight of the final matchday was Argentina's nail-biting 3-2 win over Cape Verde after 120 minutes. The defending champions faced immense difficulty against the tournament debutants but showed their composure at crucial moments to advance.

Colombia became the last team to secure a spot in the Round of 16 with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ghana. The South American side will now take on Switzerland.

Following the matches on July 4, FIFA confirmed the 16 best teams and the eight pairings: Paraguay vs. France, Canada vs. Morocco, Portugal vs. Spain, USA vs. Belgium, Brazil vs. Norway, Mexico vs. England, Argentina vs. Egypt, and Switzerland vs. Colombia.

Portugal facing Spain is the standout European showdown in the Round of 16. This Iberian Peninsula derby pits two of Europe's top footballing nations against each other, promising a highly tactical encounter where a single moment of brilliance could decide the match.

Portugal advanced to this stage after a resilient 2-1 victory over Croatia. Meanwhile, Spain showcased devastating power by crushing Austria 3-0 with their direct, fast, and mesmerizing tiki-taka style. The upcoming blockbuster is not just a battle for a quarterfinal spot but also a statement of who truly rules the Iberian Peninsula.

The Brazil vs. Norway match is a notable contest between South American flair and the physical strength of the Nordic side led by striker Erling Haaland. The focal point will be the duel between Haaland and Brazil's experienced defense.

Hosts Mexico take on England, a match promising tension as Mexico enjoys a mental advantage while England has a stronger squad on paper.

In this game, the Three Lions will have to play at the "cauldron" of Azteca, located over 2,000 meters above sea level in Mexico City—a factor that coach Thomas Tuchel has mentioned as a significant challenge.

If England beat Mexico and Brazil defeat Norway, these two powerhouses would set up an exciting quarterfinal on July 11 in Miami. In that scenario, the pragmatic speed of the Three Lions against the improvisation and sublime technique of the Samba dancers would surely ignite the biggest football festival on the planet.

The Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup will take place over four days from July 5 to 8, and the path to glory at this tournament is heating up by the hour.

2026 World Cup Round of 16 schedule for July 5
Canada vs. Morocco: 0:00.
Paraguay vs. France: 4:00.