2026 Cup Round Of 16: Morocco, France, Norway, England Advance

Morocco Clinches Quarter‑Final Spot

Morocco opened the knockout stage with a dominating 3‑0 victory over Canada in Houston. Azzedine Ounahi netted a second‑half brace to give the Atlas Lions a two‑goal cushion, while Soufiane Rahimi sealed the win with a stoppage‑time strike. The win not only books Morocco’s place in the Quarterfinals but also sets up a clash with the winner of Friday’s France‑Paraguay clash.

France Squeezes Past Paraguay

France required a single goal to eliminate Paraguay and advance to the next round. A late substitute, Desire Doue, earned a penalty that Kylian Mbappé calmly converted, giving Les Bleus a 1‑0 edge that held till the final whistle. Despite Paraguay’s attempts to disrupt the French attack, the visitors secured their progression and sent the South American side home.

Norway Upsets Brazil

Norway rode a Erling Haaland brace to a dramatic 2‑1 win over Brazil, snapping the South Americans’ hopes early. This result marks Brazil’s quickest World Cup exit since 1990, while Norway reaches the Quarterfinals for the first time since 1998. Haaland reflected on the historic day, calling it “one of the most insane days in Norwegian history.” The Scandinavian side now awaits either England or Mexico for a spot in the semis.

England Survives a Tough Mexico Battle

England navigated a hazardous environment at Estadio Azteca and a valiant Mexican resistance to secure a 3‑2 victory. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with a first‑half brace, and Harry Kane added a crucial penalty to stretch the lead. A red card for Jarell Quansah left England down to ten men, yet the team withstood a late Raul Jiménez penalty and a barrage of Mexican attacks to clinch the win.

USA Set to Face Belgium

The United States will make its Round of 16 debut on Monday, taking on Belgium in Seattle. The Americans aim to build momentum after the early matches, while Belgium looks to advance beyond the opening knockout round. The fixture will add another story line to the tournament’s opening week.

The Round of 16 has already produced several memorable moments, from Morocco’s clinical demolition to Norway’s historic upset. As the Quarterfinal lineup begins to take shape, fans can expect more high‑stakes drama when the winners of these early matchups collide in the next stage of the 2026 Cup.