The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 has entered its decisive phase, with Spain and Belgium becoming the latest teams to book their places in the quarter-finals. In two high-pressure knockout matches played on Monday, Spain edged Portugal 1-0 through a dramatic late winner, while Belgium produced a commanding 4-1 victory over co-hosts United States to end the American campaign.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, being hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States, is the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams and three host nations, making it the biggest FIFA World Cup in history. With the Round of 16 nearing completion, the race for the quarter-finals has intensified, and several major teams have already been eliminated from the tournament.
What Happened in Yesterday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches?
Spain Beat Portugal 1-0; Ronaldo’s World Cup Journey Ends
Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 in a tense FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash at Dallas Stadium, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal in the 91st minute. The late strike helped Spain enter the quarter-finals and ended Portugal’s campaign in heartbreaking fashion.
The result also marked a highly emotional moment for Cristiano Ronaldo, who had confirmed that this would be his final FIFA World Cup. Portugal defended strongly for most of the match, with goalkeeper Diogo Costa making several crucial saves, but Spain’s patience and tactical substitutions eventually proved decisive.
Spain will now face Belgium in the quarter-finals, setting up a major European showdown.
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Belgium Crush USA 4-1; All Co-Hosts Out of World Cup 2026
Belgium produced one of the most dominant performances of the Round of 16, defeating the United States 4-1 in Seattle. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku also found the net as Belgium ended the USA’s dream run on home soil.
Malik Tillman briefly brought the USA level with a deflected free-kick, but Belgium responded almost immediately and controlled the match with greater composure, intensity and efficiency. The defeat means all three FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosts — Canada, Mexico and the United States — have now been eliminated from the tournament.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches Today
Two Round of 16 fixtures are scheduled today, and both will decide the final quarter-final pairing.
Argentina vs Egypt
Defending champions Argentina take on Egypt in a high-profile Round of 16 clash. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, enter the match as favourites, but Egypt have shown resilience throughout the tournament and have already created history by advancing beyond the group stage at a FIFA World Cup.
The match also brings together two global football icons — Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah — making Argentina vs Egypt one of the most anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures today.
Switzerland vs Colombia
Switzerland face Colombia in the final Round of 16 match. Switzerland have improved steadily after an opening draw and come into the contest with strong momentum, while Colombia have been one of the most disciplined and defensively solid sides of the tournament.
The winner of Switzerland vs Colombia will move into the quarter-finals and face the winner of Argentina vs Egypt.
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Teams Eliminated From FIFA World Cup 2026 So Far
As of July 7, 2026, several teams have exited the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the group stage, Round of 32 and Round of 16.
Eliminated in the Round of 16 So Far
Canada, Paraguay, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and United States have been knocked out in the Round of 16.
Eliminated in the Round of 32
South Africa, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Sweden, Ecuador, DR Congo, Senegal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Croatia, Algeria, Australia, Cape Verde and Ghana were eliminated in the Round of 32.
Eliminated in the Group Stage
South Korea, Czechia, Qatar, Haiti, Scotland, Turkey, Curaçao, Tunisia, Iran, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Iraq, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Panama exited the tournament in the group stage.
Teams Still Alive in FIFA World Cup 2026
The teams still competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026 include France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, Egypt, Switzerland and Colombia.
France will face Morocco in the quarter-finals, Spain will meet Belgium, and England are set to play Norway. The final quarter-final fixture will be decided after today’s Argentina vs Egypt and Switzerland vs Colombia matches.
Major Highlights and Key Moments of FIFA World Cup 2026
Spain’s 91st-minute winner against Portugal was one of the biggest moments of the Round of 16, as Mikel Merino came off the bench to deliver a match-winning goal in stoppage time. The result sent Spain into the quarter-finals and brought an end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s FIFA World Cup career.
Belgium’s 4-1 win over the United States was another major headline, with Charles De Ketelaere emerging as the standout performer. His first-half brace put Belgium in control, while the USA’s defensive errors allowed the European side to dominate the knockout clash.
The elimination of all three host nations — Canada, Mexico and the United States — is one of the most significant developments of FIFA World Cup 2026 so far. The USA’s defeat in Seattle ended home interest in the tournament and shifted attention fully to the remaining European, South American and African contenders.
Argentina vs Egypt is now set to become a marquee contest, with Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah leading their nations in what could be a defining knockout fixture. Meanwhile, Switzerland vs Colombia promises a tactical battle between two in-form teams fighting for the last quarter-final berth.
Also Read FIFA World Cup 2026: Ecuador Shock Germany as Knockout Race Heats Up
News4Bharat POV
With the latest results, the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final lineup is taking shape. France vs Morocco and Spain vs Belgium are confirmed, while Norway vs England is also set. The remaining quarter-final will feature the winners of Argentina vs Egypt and Switzerland vs Colombia.
As the tournament moves closer to the semi-finals, Spain, Belgium, France, England and Argentina remain among the biggest title contenders. However, Morocco, Norway, Switzerland, Colombia and Egypt have all shown that the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 format has created space for surprise results, historic runs and unpredictable knockout drama.
