World Cup Round of 16: Full Schedule and Biggest Matchups

For U.S. fans, the World Cup has reached the stage where every game can reshape the tournament in a single night, and the host nation is still alive. The Round of 16 features eight elimination matches from July 4 through July 7, with the United States, Canada and Mexico all still in the field. The lineup also includes Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Portugal and Spain, creating a bracket packed with heavyweight clashes and credible upset chances.

The Backstory

The expanded 48-team tournament first cut the field to 32, then used a new Round of 32 to produce the final 16. From this point, the format is simple: lose and go home. If a match is tied after 90 minutes, it moves to 30 minutes of extra time and then, if necessary, a penalty shootout, according to the knockout format guide.

The previous round changed the bracket with several dramatic results. Paraguay eliminated Germany on penalties, Morocco knocked out the Netherlands in a shootout, and Argentina survived Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time. Canada earned the first knockout-stage win in its history, while the U.S. advanced to a rematch with Belgium.

All three co-hosts remain in contention. Canada plays in Houston, Mexico hosts England at the Azteca, and the United States faces Belgium in Seattle.

Here's What Happened

The round opens Saturday, July 4, with Canada against Morocco at 1 p.m. ET in Houston, followed by Paraguay against France at 5 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. Sunday brings Brazil against Norway at 4 p.m. ET in New Jersey and Mexico against England at 8 p.m. ET in Mexico City.

The full Round of 16 bracket continues Monday with Spain against Portugal at 3 p.m. ET and Belgium against the U.S. at 8 p.m. ET. Tuesday completes the round with Argentina against Egypt at noon ET in Atlanta and Switzerland against Colombia at 4 p.m. ET in Vancouver.

Several matchups arrive with sharp contrasts. France has won all four of its games and outscored opponents 13-2, with Kylian Mbappé scoring six of those goals. Mexico is averaging two goals per game and has not conceded, while Spain also enters the round without allowing a goal. Lionel Messi has seven tournament goals.

The U.S. enters Seattle with three wins and 10 goals, both described by the Los Angeles Times as World Cup records for an American team. But leading scorer Folarin Balogun is suspended after a red card in the previous round. Belgium arrives after turning a 2-0 deficit against Senegal into a 3-2 extra-time win.

What People Are Saying

Predictions are split around several ties rather than centered on one obvious favorite. Writers surveyed by The Athletic repeatedly highlighted Mexico against England and Spain against Portugal as the round's standout games, while several pointed to Norway over Brazil as a realistic upset. The U.S.-Belgium match also drew attention as one of the most evenly balanced contests.

USA Today writers unanimously picked Spain to beat Portugal, but split on the U.S.-Belgium result and on whether Norway can eliminate Brazil. NBC Sports also projected several close games, while FOX Sports analyst Chris Fallica described Canada as capable of making Morocco's path difficult and expected France to take early control against Paraguay.

The Bigger Picture

For the United States, beating Belgium would send the men's national team to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. The match is also a rematch of the 2014 Round of 16, when Belgium won after extra time despite a tournament-record 16 saves by U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Mexico also has history within reach. A win over England at the Azteca would put El Tri in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1986. Canada has already broken new ground with its first knockout win and now faces a Morocco team that eliminated the Netherlands.

The bracket also gives U.S. viewers major matches in American cities. Philadelphia hosts France on July 4, Seattle gets the U.S.-Belgium showdown, and Atlanta stages Argentina against Egypt. UEFA's fixture list confirms that France, England, Portugal, Spain and Belgium all remain in the race.

The Road Ahead

The quarterfinals begin July 9 and run through July 11. The bracket is fixed, so every team already knows which side of the draw it would enter with a win.

The semifinals are scheduled for July 14 and 15, the third-place match for July 18, and the final for July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

FAQ

When does the World Cup Round of 16 start?

It starts Saturday, July 4, with Canada vs. Morocco in Houston and Paraguay vs. France in Philadelphia.

When does the United States play Belgium?

The U.S. plays Belgium on Monday, July 6, at 8 p.m. ET at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Which Round of 16 matchups look biggest?

Mexico vs. England and Spain vs. Portugal are headline ties, while U.S. vs. Belgium and Brazil vs. Norway have drawn upset interest.

What happens if a Round of 16 game is tied?

A tied match goes to 30 minutes of extra time. If it is still level, a penalty shootout decides who advances.

When do the World Cup quarterfinals begin?

The quarterfinals begin Thursday, July 9, after all eight Round of 16 winners are confirmed.