The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its knockout stage, with the Round of 16 set to begin on Saturday, July 4.
Forty-eight teams started the tournament, but only 16 remain after a dramatic Round of 32 that featured penalty shootouts, late winners and several major exits.
Germany, the Netherlands and Japan were among the teams knocked out as the race for the World Cup trophy entered its decisive phase.
Co-hosts Mexico, Canada and the United States are all still in the competition, along with traditional football powers Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Portugal and Spain.
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups had advanced automatically to the knockout phase, along with the eight best third-place finishers. From this stage onward, every match is a win-or-go-home contest, with the winners moving into the quarterfinals.
Canada will open the Round of 16 against Morocco at Houston Stadium on Saturday, followed by Paraguay’s clash with France at Philadelphia Stadium.
Brazil will face Norway on Sunday at New York/New Jersey Stadium, while Mexico will take on England at Mexico City Stadium.
On Monday, Portugal and Spain will meet in one of the biggest fixtures of the round at Dallas Stadium, with the USA facing Belgium at Seattle Stadium later the same day.
The round will conclude on Tuesday, when Argentina play Egypt at Atlanta Stadium and Switzerland face Colombia at BC Place Vancouver.
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