The full line-up for the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been confirmed following the conclusion of the final group-stage matches on Saturday.
Colombia claimed the last available place in the knockout phase after a narrow 1-0 victory over Ghana, with Jhon Arias scoring the decisive goal to send his side through and end Ghana’s campaign.
The final group fixtures also saw defending champions Argentina book their place in the last 16, although they were pushed all the way by Cape Verde in the African nation’s first appearance at a FIFA World Cup. Argentina eventually prevailed after extra time to continue their title defence.
Lionel Messi once again played a decisive role, scoring his seventh goal of the tournament. The strike also extended his all-time World Cup tally to 21 goals, adding to his own competition record.
With the group stage now complete, attention turns to the knockout rounds, which begin later on Saturday with two matches.
Co-hosts Canada, who progressed after eliminating Bafana Bafana, will begin the Round of 16 on home soil against Morocco. The day’s second fixture sees Paraguay, surprise winners over Germany earlier in the tournament, take on one of the favourites, France.
Sunday’s schedule features another pair of high-profile encounters. Norway will meet Brazil in what is expected to be one of the standout ties of the round, while England travel to the Azteca Stadium to face co-hosts Mexico for a place in the quarter-finals.
Monday’s action includes an all-European showdown as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal take on 2010 world champions Spain. Later the same day, the United States face Belgium in another contest with a quarter-final berth at stake.
Argentina’s reward for overcoming Cape Verde is a meeting with Egypt. The Pharaohs made history by becoming only the second African nation to reach the Round of 16 at a FIFA World Cup, marking the country’s best-ever performance in the competition.
The final knockout fixture will see Switzerland face Colombia, who sealed their progression with victory over Ghana in the last remaining qualification match.
The completion of the Round of 16 line-up signals the start of the knockout phase, where every match will produce either a winner or an eliminated side as the race to become world champions intensifies.
Round of 16 fixtures
- Canada vs Morocco
- Paraguay vs France
- Brazil vs Norway
- Mexico vs England
- Portugal vs Spain
- USA vs Belgium
- Argentina vs Egypt
Switzerland vs Ghana
