The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 runs from Saturday, 4 July to Tuesday, 7 July 2026: eight matches over four days across eight host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Every date, venue and kick-off time is fixed in FIFA’s official schedule, and with the Round of 32 complete, the team matchups are now confirmed: the first four results are in, with four ties still to play.
When Is the Round of 16? The Full Knockout Calendar
The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from 11 June to 19 July. After the 72-match group stage ends on 27 June, it moves into a five-round knockout phase, the first to feature a Round of 32.
| Knockout round | Dates (2026) | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | 28 June – 3 July | 16 |
| Round of 16 | 4 – 7 July | 8 |
| Quarter-finals | 9 – 11 July | 4 |
| Semi-finals | 14 – 15 July | 2 |
| Third-place play-off | 18 July | 1 |
| Final | 19 July | 1 |
The tournament closes with the final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Follow the live group standings and every fixture in our full match schedule.
Round of 16 Schedule: Dates, Kick-off Times and Host Cities
Eight matches are played over four days, two per day, across eight host cities. The teams were decided by the Round of 32, so the fixtures below now show each matchup alongside the date, venue and kick-off time.
Kick-off times are local, with GMT in brackets.
| Match | Date | Host city & stadium | Kick-off (local / GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco 3–0 Canada | Sat, 4 July | Houston, NRG Stadium | 12:00 PM CDT (17:00 GMT) |
| France 1–0 Paraguay | Sat, 4 July | Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field | 5:00 PM EDT (21:00 GMT) |
| Norway 2–1 Brazil | Sun, 5 July | New York/New Jersey, MetLife Stadium | 4:00 PM EDT (20:00 GMT) |
| England 3–2 Mexico | Sun, 5 July | Mexico City, Estadio Azteca | 6:00 PM CST (00:00 GMT, 6 Jul) |
| Portugal v Spain | Mon, 6 July | Dallas, AT&T Stadium (Arlington) | 2:00 PM CDT (19:00 GMT) |
| USA v Belgium | Mon, 6 July | Seattle, Lumen Field | 5:00 PM PDT (00:00 GMT, 7 Jul) |
| Argentina v Egypt | Tue, 7 July | Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 12:00 PM EDT (16:00 GMT) |
| Switzerland v Colombia | Tue, 7 July | Vancouver, BC Place | 1:00 PM PDT (20:00 GMT) |
How Teams Reach the Round of 16
This is the first 48-team World Cup, and the format is new. The teams are split into 12 groups of four, and the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides, 32 in total, reach the single-elimination Round of 32 from 28 June to 3 July.
Its 16 winners advance to the Round of 16, and from there it is straight knockout football to the final.
What Time Do the Matches Start in the Middle East and South Asia?
FIFA lists every kick-off in the stadium’s local time, and the eight venues span four zones: Eastern (UTC−4), Central (UTC−5), Pacific (UTC−7) and Mexico City (UTC−6, no daylight saving).
Take the GMT time in the table above and add your offset:
- +3 for Saudi Arabia and Egypt
- +4 for the UAE
- +5 for Pakistan
- +5½ for India
Most matches land between late evening and the small hours. The Atlanta game on 7 July is the kindest at about 8 PM in the UAE, while Mexico City and Seattle run to roughly 4 AM.
For exact local times, see our match-time guides for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and Pakistan.
How to Watch or Travel to the Round of 16
Watching from home? Our where-to-watch guides cover the official broadcasters and streaming options for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India.
Hoping to be in the stadium? The host cities are well connected from the Gulf and South Asia via one-stop routes on carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Saudia.
Track live arrivals and departures for New York (JFK), Dallas (DFW), Atlanta (ATL), Seattle (SEA), Vancouver (YVR) and Mexico City (MEX).
Compare hotels in New York, Dallas and Mexico City and book early, since knockout weekends drive demand.
Our guides to World Cup flights from the UAE and from India cover routes and tips. You will need a valid US, Mexican or Canadian entry document for the cities you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams reach the Round of 16?
Sixteen: the winners of the 16 Round of 32 ties.
Is there really a Round of 32 at this World Cup?
Yes. With 48 teams, FIFA added a Round of 32 as the opening knockout round; the Round of 16 follows it.
When are the Round of 16 matchups confirmed?
The Round of 32 finished on 3 July 2026, so all eight matchups are now confirmed. Each fixture’s venue, date and kick-off time were fixed from the start.
Where and when is the World Cup 2026 final?
Sunday, 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, listed as the New York New Jersey Stadium in FIFA’s schedule.
Sources
- FIFA Official Game Schedule and Fixtures
- FIFA Match Schedule, Fixtures and Stadiums
- ESPN 2026 FIFA World Cup Match Schedule and Knockout Bracket
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