2026 World Cup Round of 16: Schedule, Matchups, and Results

The field for the 2026 World Cup has shrunk from 48 teams down to just 16. After the group stage narrowed the competition to 32 teams, half were eliminated in the first knockout round. Now the Round of 16 begins, where the stakes rise and the matches become truly thrilling.

Many top contenders remain, though surprises like Germany’s exit to Paraguay and the Netherlands’ early departure have shaken things up. Will more underdogs pull off shocks, or will the favorites secure their spots in the quarterfinals?

Round of 16 Matchups and Schedule

The pairings for this knockout phase were set in advance, with teams progressing from their Round of 32 victories. Here is the schedule and results so far:

Teams in Each Half of the Bracket

The bracket splits into two sides, each producing a finalist:

• Left Half: Paraguay (Group D third-place, ousted Germany), France (Group I winner), Canada (Group B runner-up), Morocco (Group C runner-up), Portugal (Group K runner-up), Spain (Group H winner), USA (Group D winner), Belgium (Group G winner)
• Right Half: Mexico (Group A winner), Switzerland (Group B winner), Brazil (Group C winner), Colombia (Group K winner), Egypt (Group G runner-up), Argentina (Group J winner), Norway (Group I runner-up), England (Group L winner)

How Teams Reached Round of 16

Canada was the first team to qualify for the Round of 16 by beating South Africa 1-0 in the opening knockout match. Others followed through wins in their Round of 32 games, culminating with Colombia's 1-0 victory over Ghana on July 3.

Format of the Round of 16

The Round of 16 marks the second knockout stage in the tournament. Matches follow a single-elimination style; there are no draws or points, only a winner who moves on and a loser who leaves.

If teams are tied after 90 minutes, they play 30 minutes of extra time. Should the deadlock remain, the outcome is decided by a penalty shootout, where each side takes turns shooting five penalties. If still tied, sudden death kicks continue until one side scores and the other misses.

Progression Through the Tournament

The 48 teams start in groups of four during the group stage, playing round-robin matches. Wins earn three points, draws one, and losses none. The top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-place teams proceed to the knockout rounds.

From the Round of 32 onward, every game is do-or-die, advancing winners through to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately the final. The losing semifinalists compete for third place.