The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its Round of 16 today, with Canada facing Morocco and Paraguay meeting France as the knockout race moves into another decisive phase.
Sixteen countries remain in the fight for quarter-final places after the Round of 32 cut the expanded tournament field down again. FIFA’s official tournament schedule lists the knockout fixtures, confirm the Round of 16 opens on July 4.
Morocco Carry Africa’s Early Knockout Hope
Canada and Morocco will open the last-16 schedule at Houston Stadium, with kick-off listed at 6:00 pm WAT.
The tie gives Morocco another chance to carry African interest deeper into the tournament. Canada, meanwhile, enter the fixture with home-region pressure and a chance to continue one of their strongest World Cup runs.
France Face Paraguay In Late Fixture
The second match of the day sends Paraguay against France at Philadelphia Stadium, kick-off at 10:00 pm WAT.
France enter the knockout phase with familiar expectation, while Paraguay arrive after surviving a dramatic route into the last 16. In knockout football, that contrast matters: pedigree does not remove pressure, and underdogs only need one clean night to shift the bracket.
Full Round Of 16 Fixtures
Saturday, July 4
Canada vs Morocco — Houston Stadium — 6:00 pm
Paraguay vs France — Philadelphia Stadium — 10:00 pm
Sunday, July 5
Brazil vs Norway — New York/New Jersey Stadium — 9:00 pm
Monday, July 6
Mexico vs England — Mexico City Stadium — 1:00 am
Portugal vs Spain — Dallas Stadium — 8:00 pm
Tuesday, July 7
USA vs Belgium — Seattle Stadium — 1:00 am
Argentina vs Egypt — Atlanta Stadium — 5:00 pm
Switzerland vs Colombia — BC Place, Vancouver — 9:00 pm
Knockout Pressure Takes Over
The Round of 16 changes the mood of the tournament. Form matters, but survival matters more.
For African audiences, Morocco and Egypt give the continent two clear storylines to follow. Morocco begin that push first against Canada, while Egypt face Argentina later in one of the round’s biggest pressure fixtures.
By the end of this stage, eight teams will be gone and the quarter-final map will be locked.
For now, the World Cup has reached the point where every mistake can end a campaign.
