The Round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded on Friday (July 3) with Colombia defeating Ghana 1-0 after former champions Argentina tamed an energetic Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time.

The focus now shifts to the Round of 16, which kicks off on Saturday (July 4). Besides Argentina and France, finalists of the 2022 edition, all three co-hosts of the tournament, the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, have reached the pre-quarterfinals.

Also read: Seven and counting: Messi leads Mbappe again in Golden Boot standings

The African representation took a nosedive as only two out of nine teams, Morocco and Egypt, could make it to the Round of 16. Asia’s representation ended with the loss of Japan. The other nine teams in the last 16 are Brazil, Norway, England, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Paraguay, Portugal and Spain.

Round of 16 kicks off

The Round of 16 will kick off with Canada taking on Morocco, who kicked the Netherlands out in the Round of 32, in Houston, USA. In-form France will face Paraguay, who stunned four-time champions Germany in the previous round, in Philadelphia, USA, later on Saturday.

Also read: No ordinary defeat: How early World Cup exits have ignited chaos, fury at home

Eight matches in this round will be played till July 7. Six of these matches will be played in the USA and one each in Canada and Mexico.

The final will be held in the US on July 19.

Round of 16 games, venues, Indian timings

Here is the full FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 schedule with their IST timings:

Saturday, July 4

Canada vs Morocco, Houston, USA — 10.30 pm IST

Sunday, July 5

France vs Paraguay, Philadelphia, USA — 2.30 am IST

Monday, July 6

Brazil vs Norway, East Rutherford, USA — 1.30 am IST

Mexico vs England, Mexico City, Mexico — 5.30 am IST

Tuesday, July 7

Portugal vs Spain, Arlington, USA — 12.30 am IST

USA vs Belgium, Seattle, USA — 5.30 am IST

Argentina vs Egypt, Atlanta, USA — 9.30 pm IST

Wednesday, July 8

Switzerland vs Colombia, Vancouver, Canada — 1.30 am IST