FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule Round of 16 – Full Dates, Times, Venues & Match Guide

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 runs July 4–7 with two matches daily. Canada vs Morocco, France vs Paraguay, Brazil vs Norway, Mexico vs England and more — full schedule with ET kickoff times and TV channels.

The Last Sixteen Standing, and Why This Round Always Delivers

There is a particular electricity to the Round of 16 at a World Cup that no other stage quite replicates. The group stage has its drama, yes — the upsets, the tension of final-day permutations, the shock exits that nobody saw coming. The quarterfinals have the prestige. The final carries the history. But the Round of 16 is where football becomes genuinely, unambiguously brutal. Win and you are still in. Lose and you go home. No third chances, no second legs, no moral victories in defeat.

At the FIFA World Cup 2026, that moment has arrived. The group stage is finished. The Round of 32 — a brand-new stage that made its debut at this tournament — has produced its own set of results, surprises, and confirmed teams. And now, from Saturday July 4 to Tuesday July 7, eight matches across eight cities in three countries will reduce the field from sixteen teams to eight.

The next phase will take place from July 4 to July 7, during which 32 of the 48 teams that arrived at football’s flagship tournament will be on their return flights — with 16 of those departing after the Round of 16 specifically.

From July 4 onwards, every Round of 16 match airs on the main FOX broadcast network in the United States rather than cable. The matches have moved up to the main stage, in every sense.

Here is everything you need — the complete schedule with confirmed dates, kickoff times in Eastern Time, venues, TV coverage information, and a full breakdown of what to expect from every single fixture.

The Round of 16 at a Glance – Key Facts Before the Full Schedule

Before diving into the fixture-by-fixture breakdown, here are the essential facts:

Dates: Saturday July 4 to Tuesday July 7, 2026
Number of matches: 8 (two per day across four days)
Format: Single elimination — all wins or go home, no second chances
Extra time rule: If level after 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time in two halves
Penalty rule: If still level after extra time, penalty shootout decides the winner
Venues: 8 stadiums across the USA, Mexico and Canada
TV (USA): FOX and FS1 in English, Telemundo and Universo in Spanish
TV (Canada): TSN and CTV in English, RDS in French
TV (Mexico): Televisa and TV Azteca
Streaming (USA): FOX Sports app, FOX One app, Peacock (Spanish)

One note on timing: the Round of 16 runs July 4 to 7 and the quarterfinals begin July 9, with no matches on July 8. That gives every Round of 16 winner at least two days of rest before their quarterfinal, and more for teams that play earlier in the round. World Cup Pass

There is also a layer of cultural significance to the July 4 matches specifically. Both the Houston match at NRG Stadium and the Philadelphia match at Lincoln Financial Field are paired with special ceremonies marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, which falls on Independence Day during this round. Playing World Cup football in America on July 4, 2026 — 250 years after the Declaration of Independence — is the kind of scheduling detail that writes its own meaning. World Cup Pass

The Complete Round of 16 Schedule – All 8 Fixtures

Here is every match with confirmed date, time, venue, and TV channel:

Saturday, July 4 – Match 1 of 8

Canada vs Morocco
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT / 6:00 PM BST)
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV (USA): FOX / Telemundo

This is the fixture that headlines the opening day of the Round of 16, and it is one of the most compelling matchups of the entire knockout stage so far.

Canada is the first team confirmed into the Round of 16, after beating South Africa 1-0 in their Round of 32 tie. Morocco advanced by defeating the Netherlands 1-1 on penalty kicks in their Round of 32 matchup. The Round of 16 match between Canada and Morocco is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, in Houston. FIFA World Cup News

Canada’s Round of 32 win over South Africa — sealed by Stephen Eustáquio’s stoppage-time strike — was historic. It was the first knockout stage win in Canadian football history. The country went absolutely wild. The squad, playing in front of a home crowd that treated every match as a national celebration, arrived at this tournament knowing they would never get a better opportunity to make World Cup history. They have now made it already.

Morocco beating the Netherlands on penalty kicks tells you everything you need to know about this Moroccan side. The Dutch were group winners from Group F. Morocco went through the penalty shootout with the composure of a team that has been in these situations before — which, given 2022, they genuinely have. Achraf Hakimi, reportedly, stepped up and converted the decisive penalty. Of course he did.

Canada versus Morocco is a genuinely difficult match to call. Morocco have the pedigree and the defensive organisation from their 2022 campaign. Canada have the home crowd, the historic momentum, and players who are genuinely competing at the top of their club games in Europe. This could go to extra time. It could go to penalties. The Houston crowd on July 4 is going to be loud and partisan.

Saturday, July 4 – Match 2 of 8

France vs Paraguay
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Kickoff: 5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PT / 10:00 PM BST)
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV (USA): FOX / Telemundo

Kylian Mbappé made history again, scoring a brace during France’s 3-0 win against Sweden in the Round of 32. France are through. Paraguay are through, having produced one of the group stage’s most memorable results — beating Germany 2-1 in what ESPN described as a particularly shocking result given Germany’s pre-tournament profile. Sports Illustrated

France versus Paraguay, on paper, reads as an obvious outcome. France are the tournament’s top-ranked team and one of the clear favourites to win the whole thing. Mbappé is on 16 World Cup goals. Their 3-0 win over Sweden in the Round of 32 was accomplished without ever looking particularly troubled.

But Paraguay eliminated Germany. Do not dismiss them because of that. The South American side has shown in this tournament that they can be physical, disciplined, and clinical on the counter when the opportunity presents itself. They will not come to Philadelphia to attack France — they will come to make it ugly, stay compact for 70 minutes, and hunt for a goal on the break.

Whether that works against a team with Mbappé, Dembélé, and the best attacking depth in the tournament is the question. The honest assessment says France win this comfortably. The honest assessment also said Germany would beat Paraguay.

Sunday, July 5 – Match 3 of 8

Brazil vs Norway
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026
Kickoff: 4:00 PM ET (1:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM BST)
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV (USA): FOX / Telemundo

This is the match of the Round of 16. No debate.

Brazil won Group C with three points more than Morocco and went through the Round of 32. Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1, with Haaland’s 85th-minute finish securing the Scandinavians’ victory over a gritty Côte d’Ivoire side. Haaland became the fastest player ever to reach 60 international goals, doing so in just 53 matches. Sports Illustrated

Haaland at 60 international goals. Playing at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the venue that hosts the final on July 19. Against Brazil, who are playing in their first knockout match since Neymar’s emotional return was confirmed ahead of the tournament. The storylines in this single fixture are enough to fill three separate articles.

Brazil under their new manager have shown flashes of their old brilliance without being consistently dominant. The draw with Morocco in the group opener showed vulnerability. The 3-0 win over Haiti and the 3-0 win over Scotland showed quality. But Norway are not Morocco or Haiti or Scotland. Norway have Haaland, who can change any game from any position on the pitch with a single movement.

The Brazil versus Japan comparison is instructive here. Japan knocked out Brazil-quality sides in 2022. Norway knocked out nobody of that tier in the group stage, but the Ivory Coast win showed they can handle the pressure of a knockout match. The Norway fans — in full Viking regalia, which has become one of the tournament’s defining images — are going to travel in significant numbers to New Jersey for this one.

Sunday, July 5 – Match 4 of 8

Mexico vs England
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT / 1:00 AM BST Monday)
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
TV (USA): FOX / Telemundo | TV (Mexico): Televisa / TV Azteca

Mexico won 2-0 against Ecuador in the Round of 32 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. England beat DR Congo in the Round of 32 in Atlanta. Yahoo Sports

Mexico versus England at the Estadio Azteca. Let that sit for a moment.

The Estadio Azteca is the only stadium in history to have hosted two World Cup finals — 1970 and 1986. It is the stadium where Diego Maradona scored both the Hand of God goal and the Goal of the Century against England on June 22, 1986 — four decades and thirteen days before this match. In 2026, it reopened after a major renovation. And on July 5, Mexico and England will play there in a World Cup Round of 16.

Mexico were the only team to win all three group stage games — nine points from nine, the only perfect record in the tournament’s group phase. They dismantled Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32, playing in front of a home crowd that makes the Azteca feel like the loudest venue on the planet.

England beat Croatia 4-2 in their group opener, drew with Ghana, then beat Panama 2-0. They then beat DR Congo in the Round of 32 in Atlanta. They are through and performing at a solid level without yet showing the kind of form that would make them clear favourites against Mexico on Mexican soil.

This match is going to be an atmosphere unlike almost anything else in this tournament. Mexico at home. England with their own substantial travelling support. The Azteca in July. You simply cannot overstate what that environment does to a football match.

Monday, July 6 – Match 5 of 8

Spain vs Portugal (via Austria/Croatia)
Date: Monday, July 6, 2026
Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM BST)
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV (USA): FOX / Telemundo

Spain vs Austria is scheduled for Thursday, July 3, while Portugal vs Croatia plays the same day. The winners meet in Dallas on July 6 in what would be — if both favourites advance — a Spain versus Portugal Iberian derby in the Round of 16. CBSSports.com

Spain and Portugal, if both win their Round of 32 ties, meeting this early in a World Cup is the kind of fixture that would normally be reserved for a semi-final or final. Lamine Yamal versus Cristiano Ronaldo. The La Liga experience of Spain’s midfield against Portugal’s attacking depth. The bracket has given us this in the Round of 16 and it is worth pausing to appreciate how extraordinary that matchup would be.

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — the venue that has hosted more matches than anywhere else at this tournament — would be at its absolute loudest for that fixture. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has significant Hispanic communities with loyalties split between both nations.

Of course, Austria and Croatia both have genuine abilities to cause upsets. Austria’s journey through the tournament has been one of the quietly under-reported stories — they made it through an Argentina group that seemed to be designed to eliminate everyone else, and they will arrive against Spain having beaten legitimate competition. Croatia, with Modrić and Kovačić still controlling midfields at 40 and 30 respectively, are never to be dismissed lightly.

Monday, July 6 – Match 6 of 8

USA vs Belgium (via Bosnia/Senegal)
Date: Monday, July 6, 2026
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT / 1:00 AM BST Tuesday)
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
TV (USA): FOX / Telemundo

The United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 in Santa Clara on July 1 and will meet the winner of Belgium vs Senegal in Seattle on July 6.

Belgium beat Senegal in the Round of 32 in Seattle. The USA versus Belgium Round of 16 match is back at Lumen Field — the same stadium where the United States beat Australia 2-0 in the group stage with 68,000 delirious fans. The energy that crowd created for the Australia match was described by multiple journalists as unlike anything previously heard at a men’s World Cup on American soil. Expect something similar — and louder — for this one.

Belgium have turned their World Cup around after a difficult start. Their 5-1 win over New Zealand in the group stage final game was one of the tournament’s most dominant performances. They are through with quality and momentum and a squad that, even in their so-called golden generation’s twilight, carries enormous individual quality.

The USA versus Belgium match on July 4 would be the marquee fixture on American Independence Day if the bracket had fallen differently. Instead it falls on July 6 in Seattle. Either way, the Lumen Field crowd is going to make it feel like the most important sporting event happening anywhere on Earth that Monday evening.

Tuesday, July 7 – Match 7 of 8

Argentina vs Australia/Egypt
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM PT / 5:00 PM BST)
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
TV (USA): FOX / Telemundo

Argentina vs Cabo Verde is scheduled for Friday, July 3, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, while Australia vs Egypt plays the same day in Dallas. The winners meet in Atlanta on July 7. CBSSports.com

Argentina are expected to handle Cape Verde — though given what Cape Verde have done throughout this tournament, arriving unbeaten through the group stage from Group H, nothing is guaranteed. And Australia, having beaten Paraguay and gone through comfortably as Group D runners-up, are a disciplined, well-organised side.

But this match, whoever Argentina face, is fundamentally about Messi. His 39th birthday fell during this tournament. He trained at midnight. He is still, somehow, the most important player on the pitch every time he plays. Five goals in the group stage. The all-time World Cup scoring record already broken. And now the Round of 16, with a quarterfinal spot available in Atlanta.

Argentina winning this match feels close to inevitable on current form. What is not inevitable is whether Messi plays 90 minutes, whether his calf holds up across back-to-back knockout games in summer heat, and whether Argentina’s squad around him is deep enough to carry moments when he rests.

Tuesday, July 7 – Match 8 of 8

Colombia vs Switzerland/Algeria
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Kickoff: 4:00 PM ET (1:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM BST)
Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
TV (USA): FOX / FS1 | TV (Canada): TSN / CTV

Switzerland vs Algeria is scheduled for July 3 in Vancouver, and Colombia vs Ghana on July 4 in Kansas City. The winners meet back in Vancouver on July 7. CBSSports.com

Colombia topped Group K above Portugal — one of the group stage’s most impressive performances — and then beat Ghana in the Round of 32. They arrive in Vancouver having not lost a game at this World Cup. Luis Diaz has been exceptional. James Rodriguez has found moments of his 2014 brilliance at precisely the right time.

Switzerland are experienced knockout operators — they reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Algeria came through the group stage as one of the best third-place teams after that extraordinary 3-3 draw with Austria. Either opponent would be a genuine test for Colombia.

This is the match that closes out the Round of 16 on Tuesday afternoon in Vancouver. BC Place is a beautiful stadium, and the Canadian crowd — still buzzing from everything their own team has achieved — will fill it regardless of which teams are playing. The closing fixture of the round deserves that backdrop.

The Full Round of 16 Schedule – Quick Reference Table

Saturday, July 4
1:00 PM ET — Canada vs Morocco | NRG Stadium, Houston | FOX
5:00 PM ET — France vs Paraguay | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia | FOX

Sunday, July 5
4:00 PM ET — Brazil vs Norway | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ | FOX
8:00 PM ET — Mexico vs England | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | FOX

Monday, July 6
3:00 PM ET — Spain/Austria vs Portugal/Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | FOX
8:00 PM ET — USA/Bosnia vs Belgium/Senegal | Lumen Field, Seattle | FOX

Tuesday, July 7
12:00 PM ET — Argentina/Cape Verde vs Australia/Egypt | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | FOX
4:00 PM ET — Colombia/Ghana vs Switzerland/Algeria | BC Place, Vancouver | FOX / FS1

Time Zone Converter – Kickoff Times for International Fans

For fans watching outside North America, here is how the Round of 16 kickoffs translate across time zones:

1:00 PM ET = 6:00 PM BST / 7:00 PM CET / 10:30 PM IST
3:00 PM ET = 8:00 PM BST / 9:00 PM CET / 12:30 AM IST (+1)
4:00 PM ET = 9:00 PM BST / 10:00 PM CET / 1:30 AM IST (+1)
5:00 PM ET = 10:00 PM BST / 11:00 PM CET / 2:30 AM IST (+1)
8:00 PM ET = 1:00 AM BST (+1) / 2:00 AM CET (+1) / 5:30 AM IST (+1)
12:00 PM ET = 5:00 PM BST / 6:00 PM CET / 9:30 PM IST

The Pakistan Standard Time is PKT = ET + 9 hours. So a 1:00 PM ET kickoff is 10:00 PM PKT. The 8:00 PM ET matches fall at 5:00 AM PKT the following morning.

The Venues – Eight Iconic Stadiums Hosting the Last Sixteen

NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Capacity: 72,220. An indoor-outdoor retractable-roof venue that keeps the summer heat manageable. The round of 32 Saudi Arabia vs Cape Verde match was also played here. Now it hosts Canada vs Morocco on Independence Day.

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Capacity: 69,796. The home of the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team, located in South Philadelphia. The 250th anniversary ceremonies make July 4 here particularly significant.

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Capacity: 82,500. The largest venue at this World Cup and the stadium that hosts the Final on July 19. Hosting Brazil vs Norway in the Round of 16 puts one of the most anticipated matches in the most iconic available setting.

Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Capacity: 87,523. The largest venue of the entire tournament. The only ground in history to host two World Cup finals. Reopened in 2026 after a major renovation. There is simply no atmosphere in football quite like Mexico City when El Tri are playing.

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Capacity: 80,000. The tournament’s most-used venue with nine matches total, including a semifinal. A sprawling indoor NFL stadium that has been an extraordinary backdrop for matches throughout the group stage and knockout rounds.

Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Capacity: 68,740. The scene of the USA’s defining group stage performances. The noise levels recorded during the USA vs Australia match were among the highest at any World Cup venue anywhere. The Round of 16 on July 6 brings the tournament back here for what will be another extraordinary night.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Capacity: 71,000. One of the most architecturally distinctive stadiums in the world, with its retractable roof and iconic octagonal design. Hosted Spain’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the group stage. Now hosts Argentina’s Round of 16 match.

BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Capacity: 54,500. The smallest venue in the Round of 16 but no less significant. Canada’s co-host city, still buzzing from the national team’s historic run, hosts the round’s final fixture.

What Happens After the Round of 16 – The Road to the Final

Once the Round of 16 is complete by July 7, the quarterfinals take over immediately:

Quarterfinals: July 9 (Boston), July 10 (Los Angeles), July 11 (Miami and Kansas City)
Semifinals: July 14 (Dallas) and July 15 (Atlanta)
Third-Place Match: July 18, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
Final: July 19, 3:00 PM ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Win your Round of 16 tie and you are three matches from the trophy. Three matches from July 19 at MetLife. Three matches from the greatest prize in football. World Cup Wiki

How to Watch – TV and Streaming Guide

In the United States:
In the United States, Fox and FS1 carry every Round of 16 match in English, with Telemundo and Universo providing Spanish-language coverage. You can stream the matches through the FOX One and FOX Sports apps in English, and on Peacock in Spanish. World Cup Pass

From the Round of 16 onwards, the marquee knockout matches move to the main FOX network rather than cable, so you can watch without a subscription to FS1 in most cases.

In Canada:
Canadian viewers can follow the tournament on TSN and CTV, with RDS broadcasting in French. World Cup Pass

In Mexico:
In Mexico, coverage is split between Televisa and TV Azteca. World Cup Pass

Streaming options (USA):
Fubo provides full English and Spanish coverage. Hulu + Live TV includes FOX, FS1 and more. YouTube TV offers live, local access to both channels.

Official FIFA Link – Full Schedule, Bracket & Live Updates

For the official confirmed Round of 16 bracket, live scores as matches are played, updated times and venues, and every fixture through to the final on July 19:

FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Schedule and Bracket:
https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums

FAQ

When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 start?
The Round of 16 begins on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with two matches — Canada vs Morocco at 1:00 PM ET in Houston and France vs Paraguay at 5:00 PM ET in Philadelphia. The round runs through Tuesday, July 7.

How many matches are in the Round of 16?
Eight single-elimination matches across four days — two matches per day from July 4 to July 7.

What happens if a Round of 16 match is level after 90 minutes?
Knockout matches cannot finish level. If the score is tied after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time are played. If the match is still tied after extra time, it goes to a penalty shootout to decide which team advances. World Cup Wiki

What are the venues for the Round of 16?
Matches for the Round of 16 are scheduled from July 4 to July 7, 2026, featuring games in Houston, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey, Mexico City, Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta, and Vancouver. FIFA World Cup News

Where can I watch the Round of 16 in the USA?
FOX and FS1 carry every match in English. Telemundo and Universo cover matches in Spanish. Streaming is available via FOX One app, FOX Sports app, and Peacock for Spanish coverage.

Which confirmed teams are in the Round of 16?
Canada and Morocco are both confirmed after their Round of 32 results. France, Brazil, Norway, Mexico, and others are advancing through the Round of 32 which concludes July 3. All 16 spots will be confirmed by the end of July 3.

When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final?
The Final takes place on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is at 3:00 PM ET. World Cup Wiki