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The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 is underway — and every game will be significant in the knockout phase of the tournament. It’s a possibility that you’ll have to balance work and football, with 8 games to play in 4 days during July. From sitting down to watch some games during lunch breaks or getting a drink at the end of the day on a Tuesday, this is the complete fixture list, start times, stadiums and how to plan a week around the big games in world football.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Stage | Round of 16 (Knockout Phase) |
| Dates | July 4–7, 2026 |
| Number of matches | 8 |
| Format | The winner is determined by the draw (to extra time, then penalties) |
| What’s next | Quarter-finals |
| Hosts | USA, Canada, Mexico |
Full Knockout Schedule: All 8 Matches
Saturday, July 4
| Match | Venue | Kick-Off (ET) |
| Canada vs. Morocco | Houston | 1:00 PM ET |
| Paraguay vs. France | Philadelphia | 5:00 PM ET |
Sunday, July 5
| Match | Venue | Kick-Off (ET) |
| Brazil vs. Norway | East Rutherford, NJ | 4:00 PM ET |
| Mexico vs. England | Mexico City | 8:00 PM ET |
Monday, July 6
| Match | Venue | Kick-Off (ET) |
| Portugal vs. Spain | Arlington, TX | 3:00 PM ET |
| USA vs. Belgium | Seattle | 5:00 PM ET |
Tuesday, July 7
| Match | Venue | Kick-Off (ET) |
| Argentina/Cape Verde vs. Australia/Egypt | Atlanta | 12:00 PM ET |
| Switzerland vs. Colombia/Ghana | Vancouver, Canada | 4:00 PM ET |
Worker’s Viewing Guide: Best & Worst Times to Watch
Not every game is suitable for the workplace! Here are some of the basics:
| Day | Best for Workers? | Why |
| Saturday, July 4 | If you can, you will receive a paycheck for the public holiday (US). | Independence Day – most workers off |
| Sunday, July 5 | Yes — weekend | A good way to start the evening is with a kickoff. |
| Monday, July 6 | Tricky | Afternoon ET kickoffs: arrange for a long lunch or go to work from home. |
| Tuesday, July 7 | Tricky | The most difficult one to catch at work is at noon ET. |
The July 4 games are scheduled for a US public holiday, so there’s no better time than now for American football fans. Plan ahead for Monday and Tuesday!
How the Knockout Bracket Works
The knockout stage is played on a straight single elimination basis. No second chances:
- If it’s level after 90 minutes, then there are two 15-minute sessions of extra time.
- Extra time for B1 to B2 to check level (if necessary) → penalty shootout
All winners go to the 4th. All losers are sent home. That’s why it’s so exciting to watch this stage, even on the “smaller” fixtures — they’re all running at full pressure.
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Matches to Watch Closely
Most football fans are marking in red Portugal vs. Spain (July 6). An Iberian derby at the knockout stage of a World Cup is the stuff of legends.
There is huge crowd energy in Mexico vs. England in Mexico City on July 5, with hostilities expected for the Three Lions.
Argentina vs. Cape Verde/Australia/Egypt will be host to some great television, no matter who they are facing, because the underdogs of this tournament have been plentiful, and their defending champions don’t get an easy ride in the knockout round.
Another matchup that’s more complicated than it seems on paper is also on the schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16: Brazil vs. Norway.
FAQs
Where to see the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16?
Depends on the country for broadcast rights. In the U.S., matches are broadcast on Fox, FS1 and Telemundo/Universo. Fubo and the Fox Sports app are both streaming options.
If a Round of 16 match is drawn, what becomes of it?
Extra time (2 x 15 minutes) is first played. It goes to a Penalty shootout if it is level. The knockout stage has no replays.
Are all employees in the United States getting a World Cup July 4th holiday?
Yes — Independence Day is a federal public holiday in the US, so the July 4 double-header is the best time for workers to enjoy the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.
At what time will the quarter-finals start?
All the Round of 16 games finished on July 7, and the quarter-finals start on July 9. Specific dates will be established as we fill the bracket.
Key Takeaways
- The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 will take place from July 4–7, featuring 8 matches each day for 4 days.
- The easiest window of the knockout stage is July 4, a U.S. public holiday.
- Note that games will start in the afternoon on Monday and Tuesday (ET).
- Big fixtures are Portugal v Spain, Mexico v England and Brazil v Norway
- All games are played on a ‘win or go home’ basis; extra time and penalty kicks are applied if the game is deadlocked at 90 minutes.
