2026 FIFA World Cup Roundup, Round of 16
The round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, featuring exciting games, impressive individual displays, and surprising outcomes. Below is a recap of the groups.
Canada 0-3 Morocco
Morocco became the first team to advance to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, extending their unbeaten streak to 10 games with a hard-earned 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada, who became the first co-hosts to be eliminated. Morocco’s impressive record of seven wins in their last nine knockout matches at major tournaments highlights how formidable they could be in the later rounds of this competition. Soufiane Rahimi confirmed this by scoring a third goal almost at the final whistle. While Canada now face the immediate disappointment of their loss, they have already made history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time ever.
Paraguay 0-1 France
A penalty from Kylian Mbappé was sufficient to narrowly defeat a determined and clever Paraguay team at Lincoln Financial Field, securing France’s place in an exciting FIFA World Cup quarter-final match against Morocco. In the end, France managed to overcome their toughest challenge so far in this World Cup, with an even tougher test anticipated against Morocco on Thursday.
Brazil 1-2 Norway
Erling Haaland’s two goals dramatically eliminated Brazil from the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 win for Norway in the round of 16 in New Jersey, earning them a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time ever. Solbakken’s squad will now take on England in Miami, after maintaining their impressive streak of never having lost to Brazil in five head-to-head matches.
Mexico 2-3 England
In an exciting match at Estadio Azteca, England advanced to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals by beating co-host Mexico 3-2, marking the Three Lions’ seventh consecutive unbeaten game. England will face Norway in the quarter-finals at Miami Stadium as they aim to end a 60-year drought. Meanwhile, Mexican fans are left to contemplate the end of their 12-game unbeaten streak and their continued wait for a quarter-final appearance since they last hosted the tournament in 1986.
Portugal 0-1 Spain
Spain made history in the FIFA World Cup by becoming the first team to achieve six consecutive matches without conceding a goal. They secured a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16 in Dallas. This marks the second occasion Spain has defeated Portugal 1-0 in a World Cup round of 16 match, having also done so en route to the final in 2010.
USA 1-4 Belgium
Belgium secured their spot in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals by achieving their seventh consecutive head-to-head win against the USA with a 4-1 victory in Seattle, preventing the co-hosts from reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002. However, Garcia’s team has little time to enjoy the win, as they now face a tough challenge against European champions Spain in Los Angeles.
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
Lionel Messi led Argentina to a comeback victory against Egypt, scoring a late goal and providing an assist as his team recovered from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 and move on to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. After overcoming consecutive challenges, Argentina remains in contention to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend a World Cup title, with their next match set against Switzerland.
Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (Switzerland win 4-3 on penalties)
Following a tough and intense match, Switzerland triumphed over Colombia in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 at BC Place. After a 0-0 draw, Switzerland won in the penalty shootout, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 1954. This victory marks only the third time in Swiss history that they have reached the quarter-final stage, where they will now face the reigning champions and comeback specialists, Argentina.
