First Five Round of 16 Matchups Revealed for the 2026 World Cup

Round of 16 Fixtures for the FIFA World Cup

According to Главком: The first five pairings for the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been confirmed. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this edition marks the first time 48 teams are competing, with the tournament scheduled to conclude on July 19. Canada will face Morocco in the opening Round of 16 clash, set for July 4 in Houston, USA.

Morocco advanced by defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout during the Round of 32, a significant achievement for the squad. Meanwhile, Canada secured their spot with a narrow 1-0 victory over South Africa in the same stage, thanks to a goal from Stephen Eustáquio in the 90+2nd minute.

List of Round of 16 Matchups

Brazil has also progressed to the Round of 16 after beating Japan. The confirmed pairings are as follows:

• Paraguay vs. France
• Canada vs. Morocco
• Brazil vs. Norway
• Mexico vs. England
• USA vs. Belgium

These matchups promise exciting games and a thrilling continuation of the tournament.

This World Cup stands out due to its expanded 48-team format, offering new opportunities for lesser-known national teams. The successes of Morocco and Canada in earlier rounds highlight the growing competitiveness on the global football stage. The upcoming Round of 16 matches are expected to be intense and captivating, given the teams' histories and skill levels. Each game could prove decisive in the race for a quarterfinal berth.

As the tournament progresses, the anticipation builds for the first knockout matches, particularly with Canada's upcoming showdown against Morocco. This pivotal clash not only showcases the resilience of both teams but also sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling knockout phase, where every match could change the fate of the tournament.