The 2026 FIFA World Cup moves into a new phase with the Round of 16, set to be played from July 4 to July 7, 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with France still in contention. Here’s a look at the upcoming matches we can expect.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is racing ahead at full tilt. After the round of 16 and its fair share of shocks, it’s time for the Round of 16, played from July 4 to 7, 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Eight matches await football fans, including a blockbuster between Paraguay and the France squad, in the tournament since June 11.
This knockout stage already looks more straightforward than the previous one, since most of the qualified teams are now known. A few brackets still need to be filled after the final Round of 16 matches in the first round, with teams still listed by their original group pending the final result.
On the broadcasting front, the setup remains unchanged: M6 in clear and beIN Sports for subscribers split the live coverage, with M6 airing half the matches as well as all of the Blues’ games. To watch these games with friends, head to the bars and pubs in Paris showing the tournament, or to one of the many fan zones set up in Paris and Île-de-France, where the atmosphere and activities are often free.
The full schedule for the Round of 16
- Canada - Morocco, Saturday, July 4 at 7:00 PM, on M6 and beIN Sports 1
- Paraguay - France, Saturday, July 4 at 11:00 PM, on M6 and beIN Sports 1
- Brazil - Norway, Sunday, July 5 at 10:00 PM, on M6 and beIN Sports 1
- Portugal or Croatia - Spain or Austria, Monday, July 6 at 9:00 PM, on M6 and beIN Sports 1
- Mexico or Ecuador - Angola or DR Congo, Monday, July 6 at 2:00 AM, on beIN Sports 1
- United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina - Belgium or Senegal, Tuesday, July 7 at 2:00 AM, on beIN Sports 1
- Argentina or Cape Verde - Australia or Egypt, Tuesday, July 7 at 6:00 PM, on M6 and beIN Sports 1
- Switzerland or Algeria - Colombia or Ghana, Tuesday, July 7 at 10:00 PM, on M6 and beIN Sports 1
The most anticipated fixture for the French side remains, of course, Paraguay - France on Saturday, July 4, closing the day at 11 p.m. The two squads know each other well, having met five times, with three French victories and two draws. Their most recent feud was a 2017 friendly in Rennes that ended in a hefty 5-0 win for the Blues. By contrast, in World Cup finals, the teams have faced each other only twice before, in 1958 and 1998, both in the knockout rounds. A nice nod to history for what will be the third World Cup clash between these two sides.
As with previous rounds, the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup schedule will be updated as qualification progresses, as the last batch of first-round results comes in. To make sure you don’t miss anything about the World Cup and events in Île-de-France in particular, check out the comprehensive guide to the 2026 World Cup.
2026 World Cup: everything you need to know about the competition and practical information
2026 World Cup: everything you need to know about the competition and practical information
Fan zones in Paris for the 2026 World Cup: where to watch the matches on giant screens?
