Web Desk: The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking shape after Switzerland became the latest team to advance, defeating Algeria 2-0 on Friday to claim a place in the Round of 16.
With the expanded tournament now firmly in its win-or-go-home phase, only two Round of 32 fixtures remain before the last 16 lineup is finalized. The remaining places will be decided by Argentina’s clash with Cape Verde and Australia’s meeting with Egypt.
The winners of those matches will face each other in the Round of 16 on July 7.
Switzerland’s victory over Algeria secured the nation’s place in the knockout bracket and set up a Round of 16 meeting against the winner of the Colombia-Ghana encounter.
The result also extended a tournament that has already produced several surprises, including the early exits of former champions and traditional football heavyweights.
Canada became the first nation to reach the Round of 16 after earning its first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout victory, edging South Africa 1-0 after extra time.
Brazil also survived an early scare against Japan. Kaishu Sano gave Japan the lead before Casemiro equalized early in the second half, allowing Gabriel Martinelli to seal a 2-1 comeback victory.
Meanwhile, Paraguay produced one of the biggest shocks of the tournament by eliminating Germany in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Morocco followed with another upset, knocking out the Netherlands on penalties after the teams finished level.
Mexico, France, England, Belgium, the United States, Spain, Portugal and Norway also progressed after winning their respective Round of 32 ties.
Four nations remain in contention for the final two spots in the Round of 16.
The remaining Round of 32 fixtures are:
- Argentina vs. Cape Verde
- Australia vs. Egypt
The winners will meet each other in Atlanta in the Round of 16.
Round of 16 fixtures
The Round of 16 begins on Saturday, July 4, with eight teams battling for places in the quarterfinals.
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 4 | Canada vs. Morocco | 1:00 p.m. | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| July 4 | Paraguay vs. France | 5:00 p.m. | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| July 5 | Brazil vs. Norway | 4:00 p.m. | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| July 5 | Mexico vs. England | 8:00 p.m. | Estadio Banorte, Mexico City |
| July 6 | Portugal vs. Spain | 3:00 p.m. | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| July 6 | United States vs. Belgium | 8:00 p.m. | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| July 7 | Winner of Argentina/Cape Verde vs. Winner of Australia/Egypt | 12:00 p.m. | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| July 7 | Switzerland vs. Winner of Colombia/Ghana | 4:00 p.m. | BC Place, Vancouver |
The first quarterfinal will be played on July 9 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where the winner of Canada versus Morocco will face the winner of Paraguay versus France.
The second confirmed quarterfinal on July 10 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, will pit the winner of Portugal versus Spain against the winner of the United States versus Belgium.
Qualified teams
The following teams have already secured Round of 16 berths:
- Canada
- Brazil
- Paraguay
- Morocco
- Norway
- France
- Mexico
- England
- Belgium
- United States
- Spain
- Portugal
- Switzerland
The Round of 32 has already claimed several prominent teams, including Germany, the Netherlands and Algeria. They join South Africa, Japan, Ivory Coast, Sweden, Ecuador, DR Congo, Senegal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria and Croatia among those eliminated in the first knockout round.
Earlier in the competition, Qatar, Uruguay, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Türkiye, Panama, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Haiti, Czechia, Curaçao, Uzbekistan and New Zealand were eliminated during the group stage.
With just two Round of 32 matches left to complete the bracket, the World Cup enters its most demanding stage. Every remaining fixture now carries elimination stakes, leaving no room for error as the race toward the 2026 world title gathers momentum.
