The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 will mark the moment the tournament truly narrows to the elite, as 16 survivors from a record 48 teams battle for a place in the quarter‑finals.
Played across eight world‑class stadiums in the USA and Mexico, this phase will feature do‑or‑die knockout ties, extra time and penalties, and some of the most high‑pressure football of the entire competition.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Schedule: Overview
Each FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match will be played between the winners of the pre-assigned Round of 32 matchups. The specific teams won’t be determined until after the Round of 32 is completed, but the pathway is established in the bracket.
For instance, Paraguay 0–1 France in Philadelphia, while Brazil 1–2 Norway in New York/New Jersey.
Round of 16 Format at World Cup 2026
- 48 teams, 12 groups of 4 (A–L).
- Top 2 in each group (24 teams) + 8 best third‑placed teams = 32 teams in the first knockout round.
- The Round of 32 is followed by the Round of 16, then quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, third‑place match and final.
- The Round of 16 therefore features 8 matches, all one‑off knockouts, with extra time and penalties if needed.
Round of 16 – Dates
World Cup 2026 runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the USA. The knockout phase is scheduled for early–mid July, with:
- Round of 32: late June / very early July.
- Round of 16: roughly 4–6 July 2026 (spread across two days, typically).
- Quarter‑finals: around 10–11 July.
- Semi‑finals: mid‑July.
- Final: 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium (New York / New Jersey).
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 will be played in early July 2026, immediately after the Round of 32, with eight knockout ties deciding the quarter‑final line‑up.
Round of 16 – Venues
Eight of the 16 host stadiums will stage Round of 16 matches. From the official schedule structure, these include:
- New York / New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford) – USA
- Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) – Mexico
- Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium, Houston) – USA
- Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia) – USA
The remaining FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 matches are shared among other major U.S. venues, such as:
- Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium, Arlington)
- Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
- Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood)
- Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens)
Qualified Teams for the Round of 16
| S No | Winner Teams | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 28 June |
| 2 | Brazil | 29 June |
| 3 | Paraguay | 29 June |
| 4 | Morocco | 29 June |
| 5 | Norway | 30 June |
| 6 | France | 30 June |
| 7 | Mexico | 30 June |
| 8 | England | 1 July |
| 9 | Belgium | 1 July |
| 10 | USA | 1 July |
| 11 | Spain | July 2 |
| 12 | Portugal | July 2 |
| 13 | Switzerland | July 2 |
| 14 | Egypt | July 3 |
| 15 | Argentina | July 3 |
| 16 | Colombia | July 3 |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Schedule
| Date | Match | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 4 July 5:00 p.m. UTC−4 | Match 89 | Paraguay 0–1 France | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| Sat, 4 July 12:00 p.m. UTC−5 | Match 90 | Canada 0–3 Morocco | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Sun, 5 July 4:00 p.m. UTC−4 | Match 91 | Brazil 1–2 Norway | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Sun, 5 July 6:00 p.m. UTC−6 | Match 92 | Mexico 2–3 England | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Mon, 6 July 2:00 p.m. UTC−5 | Match 93 | Portugal 0–1 Spain | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| Mon, 6 July 5:00 p.m. UTC−7 | Match 94 | USA 1–4 Belgium | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| Tue, 7 July 12:00 p.m. UTC−4 | Match 95 | Argentina vs Egypt | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Tue, 7 July 1:00 p.m. UTC−7 | Match 96 | Switzerland vs Colombia | BC Place Vancouver |
