Here's How The Round Of 16 At The FIFA World Cup Stacks Up
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 22: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates his goal with Ousmane Dembele #7 (left) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I football match between France and Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium on June 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA, United States. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesAfter so many dramatic and 11th-hour wins in the Round of 32, the World Cup's Round of 16 has much to live up to.
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This phase of the cup brings us several intriguing confrontations that are expected to produce more nail-biting moments for fans and players, and 11th-hour heroics
That includes Spain vs. Portugal in an Iberian derby, Mexico and England at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Canada and Morocco in Houston, and the United States and Belgium in Seattle.
If these eight matches follow suit of the previous round, there should be late heroics and plenty of drama in the Round of 32.
In case you are wondering, this writer predicted 13 of the 16 winners correctly in the previous round in a story on this website.
The tournament has slowed down from its frenetic pace of four or six matches a day in the group stage, to essentially three in the Round of 16, to a pair a day in the Round of 32.
The Round of 16 begins on Saturday, July 4, with Canada taking on Morocco in Houston, and France meeting Paraguay in Philadelphia.
Here is a quick look at the eight matchups (FOX, Telemundo):
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 13: Ismael Saibari #11 of Morocco celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesJuly 4
Canada vs Morocco, NRG Stadium, Houston, 1 p.m. ET
Canada just might meet its match against a strong North Africans side that has been growing in recent years. Remember, the Moroccans finished fourth at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Canadians could pay for finishing second in its group and not being able to play in the more friendly confines of B.C. Place in Vancouver.
Prediction: Morocco 2, Canada 1
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Paraguay vs. France, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 5 p.m.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 26: Ousmane Dembele of France celebrates scoring their first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, United States. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesIt's difficult to overcome a team that features the likes of Kylian Mbappe (six goals) and Ousmane Dembele (four goals, hat-trick) and a fabulous supporting cast. If the French score early, it could become a rout. The longer the game goes without France scoring, the better off the South Americans will be.
Prediction: France 3, Paraguay 0
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 30: Erling Haaland #9 of Norway celebrates after the 2-1 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA via Getty ImagesSunday, July 5
Brazil vs Norway – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J., 4 p.m. ET
The big question is whether the Brazilians can stop the great Erling Haaland (five goals). He has scored in every match he has played, sitting out the 4-1 loss to France in the group stage. Vinicius Junior (four goals) needs to be at the top of his game. At the 1998 World Cup, Norway defeated Brazil on a late penalty kick, in the final group stage match. Both teams went to the knockout round. This time, one team will go home.
Prediction: Norway 3, Brazil 2
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Mexico vs England – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 8 p.m. ET
The Mexicans thrive in the cauldron in which they play all their qualifiers and important matches in their favorite venue. As well as Harry Kane (five goals) and his English teammates have played, it could be difficult to overcome the overwhelming partisan atmosphere there. On paper, this should be one of the top Round of 16 clashes.
Prediction: Mexico 2, England 1
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 02: Mikel Oyarzabal #21 of Spain celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Spain and Austria at Los Angeles Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesMonday, July 6
Portugal vs Spain – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, 3 p.m. ET
Like Mexico-England, this should be one of the leading matches of the round. The contest pits neighboring countries who will be among the co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup. But both are thinking of now. This also will be a battle between Spain’s 19-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal and 41-year-old superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored in six World Cups. If Portugal loses, the game will be Ronaldo's cup swan song. Mikel Oyarzabal (four goals) has been key to La Roja's success.
Prediction: Spain 2, Portugal 1
INGLEWOOD, CA - JUNE 12, 2026: United States of America forward Christian Pulisic (10) reacts after United States of America midfielder Weston McKennie (8), back center, scored during the first half of a World Cup group stage match between United States and Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on Friday, June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, CA. (Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesUnited States vs. Belgium – Lumen Field, Seattle, 8 p.m. ET
The Belgians rolled over the Americans, 5-2, scoring four unanswered goals in the second half, in a friendly in Atlanta on March 28. Don't expect that score to be duplicated this time. Even without the suspended Folarin Balogun, this is a different U.S. side with much more energy and focus. The big question is who will start in Balo's place - Ricardo Pepi or Haji Wright?
Prediction: U.S. 2, Belgium 2 (U.S. wins on penalties)
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 03: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after the team's second goal by Lisandro Martinez #6 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde at Miami Stadium on July 03, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA via Getty ImagesTuesday, July 7
Argentina vs. Egypt – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, noon ET
As long as Lionel Messi is at the top of his game, the Argentines will be difficult to beat. Cape Verde gave the defending champions a major scare on Friday, forcing extra time before Argentina got by via a late own goal in an epic Round of 32 confrontation. Liverpool legend Mo Salah will try to lead The Pharaohs to an upset.
Prediction: Argentina 2, Egypt 0
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 24: Johan Manzambi #9 of Switzerland celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Switzerland and Canada at BC Place Vancouver on June 24, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesSwitzerland vs. Colombia – BC Place, Vancouver, 4 p.m.
Colombia, which became the last team to qualify for the Round of 16 with its 1-0 win over Ghana on Friday night, traditionally has been known for its attacking flair. In this World Cup, the South American side has been difficult to solve, with three consecutive clean sheets. Switzerland, one of the tournament's underrated teams, finished atop Group B, ahead of co-host Canada. Johan Manzambi's three goals lead the Swiss, who will have an extra day of rest.
Prediction: Colombia 1, Switzerland 0
Michael Lewis, the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award in 2025, can be followed on Bluesky at @Soccerwriter. His 10th soccer book, Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportswriter’s perspective, has been published.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com