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World Cup Round of 16 Matchups Set After Group Stage
The eight pairings for the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage were confirmed following the final group matches. Argentina faces Egypt, Portugal meets Spain, and the United States plays Belgium among other contests scheduled to begin July 6.
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The Round of 16 matchups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been set. The pairings are Argentina versus Egypt, Portugal versus Spain, Canada versus Morocco, France versus Paraguay, Switzerland versus Colombia, England versus Mexico, Brazil versus Norway, and the United States versus Belgium. Egypt, Argentina and Colombia advanced to the knockout stage.
Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1, France defeated Sweden 3-0, England defeated DR Congo 2-1, Brazil defeated Japan 2-1, Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0, Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2, the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, and Spain defeated Austria 3-0 in their Round of 32 matches.
Portugal will play Spain on July 6. The United States will wear its dark blue Stars kit against Belgium the same day in Seattle.
France is favored to win the tournament according to Kalshi, followed by Argentina and Spain. Betting markets opened immediately after the bracket was set. Teams will begin preparations for the single-elimination matches.
The Round of 16 schedule will be released by tournament organizers in the coming days.
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CorroborationModerate · 20 sources
