FIFA WC 2026 Round of 16 - Preview and Fixtures [ IST ]

We’ve seen how action packed the Round of 32 went. We have seen how last-minute goals from Canada and Brazil brought tears to the eyes of South Africans and Japanese. The unpredictability of the tournament further amplified with the Germany vs Paraguay match wherein Paraguay held the mighty Germans all the way to the penalties, wherein they managed to topple the four-time world champions. As the tournament progresses towards the final, we see that there are no longer room for errors and second chances like in group stages. Now, every stake is higher, every quality is sharper and the room for errors is considered a thing of yesterday. For fans in India who wake up and watch these matches late night, the obsession manifolds.

Canada vs Morocco

The Canadians played the South Africans in the Round of 32. The match was an even contest in almost all metrics and South Africa had barely put a step wrong. It was looking alright for the Bafana Bafana until a shocking mistake by South African defender Ime Okon. Okon headed it right ahead in front of Stephen Eustaquio who shot his way to glory in the 90+2” minute, sending Canada to the Round of 16. Call it luck or persistence, Canada team looked strong on attacks and counterattacks – a luxury they might not be able to enjoy against their Round of 16 opponents, Morocco.

With Hakimi and Mazraoui in their stellar form as the wing-backs, the Canadians are up against a stiff challenge. Much like Canada, the Moroccan team too, manage to redeem themselves with a late goal by Issa Diop which then took their match against the Dutch to the 120th minute. In what could be described as the worst penalty shoot-out in recent times, most players skied the ball or hit the crossbar as Morocco somehow managed to have the upper hand.

The Atlas Lions have had a remarkable journey in the World Cup with their remarkable defence that would be a challenge for the Canadian attack to break through. While neither side bears the burden like the giants, Canada would like to make history with their raw pace and athleticism along with the home advantage.

Paraguay vs France

Speaking of penalties, the Paraguayans boasted of only one world-class footballer in Miguel Almiron. Yet, with only 25% of the possession, they actually led the scoreboard 1-0 until Kai Havertz equalised it 1-1 for the Germans and that was the state of the match for its entirety. Shot after shot, the Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill managed to stop everything right until the 120th minute and penalty as Jonathan Tah of Germany failed to convert his chance skying the ball in the air. With the hard-fought victory, Paraguay are now in a frying pan to fire situation as they face the most lethal side of the tournament, France.

Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus thumped Sweden 3-0 with Kylian Mbappe scoring a brace to become the second-highest scorer of World Cup ever, surpassing the record of Miroslav Klose. Olise, too, became the highest assist provider in World Cup history. Shots after shots with a 61% possession, the French team never looked like they were playing Sweden in Round of 16 but rather, an exhibition match where they’d show all their skills at will.

While Paraguay have proven they are no ordinary underdog, this time they have a mountain to climb. They would be facing the tournament favourites with all three of their strike force being genuine Ballon D’Or contenders! If Paraguay somehow manages to win this with their extremely unlikely odds, this would be their greatest achievement in World Cup history.

Norway vs Brazil 

With a 2-1 comeback against Japan, Brazil has shown the world why the five-time champions can never be underestimated. While they were trailing 0-1 against Japan with a goal from Kaishu Sano, the Samba boys regrouped in the second half and equalised with a dramatic header from Casemiro in the 56th minute, followed by a goal by Gabriel Martinelli in the dying minutes. While the world was skeptical of Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics, Don Carlo has proven once again why he is one of the world’s best managers.

Norway, on the other hand, had a back and forth as they led against Ivory Coast in the first half with an Ahmed Nusa goal. The Elephants struck back with Amad Diallo firing one of his own in the 74th minute, only for them to concede to Erling Haaland, one of the tournament’s favourites. Much like the Netherlands vs Morocco in the Round of 32, the encounter between Norway and Brazil is the one to watch out in the Round of 16.

USA vs Belgium

USA’s qualification to the Round of 16 against Bosnia and Herzegovina was something for the record books. After a disallowed goal via offside, Folarin Balogun managed to edge past the Bosnian defenders and score a goal right before the half-time. On the second half, the in-form striker put a hard tackle and earned a red card, thereby making him unavailable for the Round of 16. Even though they were a man down, the barrage of attacks from United States did not stop until a foul by the desperate Bosnians in a dangerous area. The foul, then, allowed Mark Tillman to convert a second goal and send the Americans to the Round of 16.

Belgium on the other hand, had a thriller of a match against the AFCON champions Senegal. While Senegal had the lead of 2-0 with goals by Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr, the veteran Belgian Romelu Lukaku scored in the 86th minute, followed by another goal by a header via Youri Tielemans, sending the match to extra time. As the clock ticked, the Belgians attack continued to frustrate the Senegalese who succumbed to a penalty in the dying minutes. In the 120+5th minute, the eyes of both nations was on Youri Tielemans once again – this time, as a decider of the game, a penalty which he converted without any pressure.

The Round of 16 of USA vs Belgium will be an interesting watch since Balogun would not be available in the strike force.

Mexico vs England

The co-hosts look unstoppable with not just any defeat, but also no draws on their cards yet! It is for the first time in 40 years, the Mexican side has qualified for the Round of 16. Last time in the Round of 32, they breached the defensive fortress of Ecuador in the twenty-second minute with Julian Quinones after a one-two stepover with the Ecuadorian full-backs. This was followed with a near identical goal by Raul Jimenez to send them to the next round.

England, on the other hand are looking unstoppable too with Harry Kane being one of the tournament contenders for the Golden Ball. With a brace against DR Congo in the Round of 32, he has taken his tally to five goals in four matches. With this, he surpassed Gary Lineker’s record of most goals for England at the World Cup and became the only English player to have two World Cups with 5+ goals (the earlier being in 2018.

As the tournament gets more competitive, individual brilliance alone may not be enough. Mexico arrive with momentum, confidence and the backing of a passionate home crowd, while England possesses the experience and firepower of a side that believes its long wait for World Cup glory can finally come to an end.

Portugal vs Spain

The neighbours of the Iberian Peninsula are set to clash once again as the Spanish and Portuguese qualify for the Round of 16 for the World Cup. The ageing Croatian side was too difficult for the relentless attack of the Portuguese who kept pacing up and down the pitch, through all their tactics. Portugal showed glimpses of what they could actually deliver on the match day, something that eluded them all the while apart from their match against Uzbekistan. While Cristiano continued to be write his script for the history books, we saw Goncalo Ramos scoring a lethal finish. 

Speaking of relentless work rate, Spain with Gavi and Pedri showed what the La Roja giants could deliver if they went all guns blazing. The underrated Oyarzabal scored a brace yet again as he joined a list of select players who have had a field day in the World Cup, as the Spanish won 3-0 against a visually distraught Austrian side.

While Portugal would like to support Ronaldo’s ‘last dance’ all the way to the finals, the La Roja would like to prove themselves as the mountainous roadblock they are. 

Switzerland vs Colombia

With a steady performance against Algeria in the Round of 32, the Swiss side dictated the terms of the game through their tactical awareness and non-stop passing with a 2-0 victory. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel is in the form of his life as he continues with his club form even for the national team. Led by the veteran Granit Xhaka, the Swiss team rarely put a foot wrong even if they rarely made any headlines. For example, in the Round of 32, they made sure they put up a strong attack and as soon as they led 2-0 with goals from Embolo and Ndoye, they defended like their life depended on it.

Colombia on the other hand managed to scrape pass the gritty Ghanians in the Round of 32, Much like the Swiss, the Colombians did not just depend on a defensive masterclass as soon as Arias got the goal which got them 1-0 up. They kept possession and unleashed a stream of attacks, even if it meant risking the back line. 

While on paper, they look like a team almost in level pegging terms, their style of play are entirely different. Overall, the Switzerland vs Colombia fixture is all set to be an underdog vs underdog event wherein one team would claim to be the actual dark horses of the tournament.

Argentina vs Egypt

After one of the most thrilling Round of 32 matches wherein Messi and Co were made to struggle till the 112th minute, Argentina barely scraped past the resilient Cape Verde thanks to an own goal which highlighted their weakness in their 3-2 victory. While Argentina were tested to their core, it would be unfair to dismiss their experience and tactical intelligence which makes them the defending champions in the first place.

Egypt, on the other hand, have faced toughness since Day 1 of their World Cup journey. After being unbeaten in a group of Belgium, Iran and New Zelaand, the Pharaohs faced Australia in the Round of 32. Tied till the 120th minute, Egypt showed their resilience by converting every goal in the penalties and standing victorious at the end. 

Both Argentina and Egypt couldn’t be any more different considering their contrasting footballing styles. While Argentina seeks to dominate over the ball and dictate the match on their terms, Egypt have shown time and again how comfortable they are in absorbing pressure and going full defense. Mo Salah, who was considered out of form, finally turned up in the Round of 32, becoming the man of the match. While Argentina would want to go all the way to the finals, a win for Egypt would be one for the history books i.e. their greatest achievement in terms of progression in a World Cup tournament.

All things said, the fixtures of the Round of 16 show us how we are one step close to the grandest matches of the tournament!

• Authored by Shreyan Laha