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The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 bracket was finalized on Friday after the final Round of 32 matches wrapped up, with Colombia, Egypt and Argentina claiming the last three spots in the knockout stage.
The Round of 16 will feature Paraguay against France, Canada versus Morocco, Portugal against Spain, the United States against Belgium, Brazil facing Norway, Mexico meeting England, Egypt taking on Argentina, and Switzerland playing Colombia.
The Round of 16 gets underway on July 4, with Canada taking on Morocco at NRG Stadium in Houston at 1 p.m. EDT, before Paraguay faces France at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 5 p.m. EDT.
Action resumes on July 5, when Brazil meets Norway at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at 4 p.m. EDT, followed by Mexico against England at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 6 p.m. local time (8 p.m. CDT).
The knockout stage continues on July 6, with Portugal and Spain squaring off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, at 3 p.m. CDT, while the United States takes on Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle at 8 p.m. PDT.
The Round of 16 wraps up on July 7, when Argentina faces Egypt at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 12 p.m. EDT, before Switzerland meets Colombia at BC Place in Vancouver at 4 p.m. PDT.
Earlier in the Round of 32, Canada eliminated South Africa 1-0, Brazil beat Japan 2-1, Morocco advanced past the Netherlands on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and Norway defeated Ivory Coast 2-1.
Spain cruised past Austria 3-0, Portugal overcame Croatia 2-1, France beat Sweden 3-0, the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, and Belgium got past Senegal 3-2 after extra time.
England came from behind to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1, Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0, and Switzerland knocked out Algeria 2-0.
Argentina needed extra time to overcome Cape Verde 3-2 in one of the most dramatic Round of 32 matches.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute after collecting a lofted pass from Lisandro Martinez before firing into the roof of the net for his seventh goal of the tournament and his 20th World Cup goal overall.
Cape Verde hit back after halftime through Deroy Duarte, whose strike in the 59th minute forced the match into extra time.
Martinez restored Argentina's lead in the 92nd minute, but Sidny Lopes Cabral curled home another equalizer in the 103rd minute to keep Cape Verde alive.
Argentina finally sealed victory in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero's header from Messi's corner forced Diney Borges into an own goal.
Egypt reached the Round of 16 by defeating Australia 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the sides finished level at 1-1 following extra time in Toronto.
Emam Ashour put Egypt ahead in the 13th minute with his second goal of the tournament before Australia equalized in the 55th minute through a Mohamed Hany own goal after an Aiden O'Neill free kick.
Australia created more attacking opportunities after halftime, but neither team managed to find a winner over 120 minutes, sending the match to penalties, where Egypt converted four of its spot kicks.
The victory capped Egypt's first World Cup campaign with a win since its tournament debut in 1934 and sent it into the Round of 16.
After the match, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan carried Egyptian and Palestinian flags onto the pitch.
"I dedicate this win to our Palestinian brothers. May God protect them and have mercy on their martyrs. I dedicate this victory to the Palestinians, and I dedicate it to the entire Arab world."
Colombia became the final team to reach the Round of 16 with a 1-0 victory over Ghana at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
The South Americans controlled possession from the outset despite losing striker Jhon Cordoba to an apparent groin injury early in the match. Substitute Luis Suarez quickly made an impact, keeping the ball alive on the right before crossing for an unmarked Jhon Arias, who slotted home the winner in the 14th minute.
Colombia continued to dictate play and created a series of chances but failed to extend its lead. Luis Diaz missed a clear opportunity before halftime, while Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi denied Johan Mojica with a diving save just before the break.
Ghana struggled to threaten throughout the contest, managing no shots on target as Colombia continued to press after halftime. Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside and was later denied again by Zigi, while Juan Quintero fired wide late in the match.
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