2026 World Cup: all Round of 16 matchups (schedule and Spain's path)
- The Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup will be played from 28 June to 3 July: 32 teams and 16 single-match ties, the first time this round is played with the new 48-team format.
- Spain, first in Group H, faces Austria on Thursday 2 July at 21:00 (peninsular time) in Los Angeles, on the side of the bracket that avoids Argentina and Brazil until a hypothetical final.
- Among the notable ties: Brazil-Japan, Germany-Paraguay, France-Sweden, Mexico-Ecuador, Argentina-Cape Verde and Colombia-Ghana.
The group stage is done and dusted, mate: the Round of 16, a never-before-seen round in World Cup history that launches the 48-team format. 32 teams, 16 single-leg ties and from here on out, you lose and you're on a plane home. They're played from 28 June to 3 July across venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Here's the full draw, with the focus on what matters: Spain's path.
📅 Sunday 28 June
🇿🇦 South Africa · 🇨🇦 Canada (Los Angeles)
📅 Monday 29 June
🇧🇷 Brazil · 🇯🇵 Japan (Houston)
🇩🇪 Germany · 🇵🇾 Paraguay (Boston)
🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇲🇦 Morocco (Monterrey)
📅 Tuesday 30 June
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast · 🇳🇴 Norway (Dallas)
🇫🇷 France · 🇸🇪 Sweden (New York/NJ)
🇲🇽 Mexico · 🇪🇨 Ecuador (Mexico City)
📅 Wednesday 1 July
🏴 England · 🇨🇩 DR Congo (Atlanta)
🇧🇪 Belgium · 🇸🇳 Senegal (Seattle)
🇺🇸 United States · 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina (San Francisco)
📅 Thursday 2 July
🇪🇸 Spain · 🇦🇹 Austria (Los Angeles · 21:00h CET)
🇵🇹 Portugal · 🇭🇷 Croatia (Toronto)
🇨🇭 Switzerland · 🇩🇿 Algeria (Vancouver)
📅 Friday 3 July
🇦🇺 Australia · 🇪🇬 Egypt (Dallas)
🇦🇷 Argentina · 🇨🇻 Cape Verde (Miami)
🇨🇴 Colombia · 🇬🇭 Ghana (Kansas City)
Spain's path: the friendly side of the draw. By finishing top of Group H, La Roja ended up in the half that avoids Argentina and Brazil until a hypothetical final, and France or Germany until a potential semi. First up, Austria (2nd in Group J); if they get past them, the Round of 16 could throw up Portugal, Croatia or England depending on those other results. One step at a time, but the draw is looking rather tasty. Here's the full guide to Spain's World Cup journey.
The ones who didn't make it. The big one out is Uruguay, knocked out by Spain with Bielsa crashing out in the group stage. Scotland, Iran, South Korea and Qatar under Lopetegui also said cheerio, among others. But two cracking stories that ARE still alive: Cape Verde, taking on Messi's Argentina in their first-ever World Cup, and Ecuador, who dumped Germany out and are still dreaming.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Round of 16 matches of the 2026 World Cup played?
From Sunday 28 June to Friday 3 July 2026, at venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada. There are 16 single-leg ties between the 32 qualified nations, the first time this round has been played in World Cup history.
Who does Spain play against in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup?
Against Austria, runners-up in Group J. The match is on Thursday 2 July at 21:00 (peninsular time) at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Why does Spain avoid Argentina and Brazil until the final?
By finishing top of Group H, Spain was placed in the opposite half of the bracket to Argentina and Brazil, with whom they could only meet in a hypothetical final. They also wouldn't face France or Germany until a potential semi-final.
Which major nations were eliminated in the group stage?
The most notable was Uruguay, eliminated by Spain. Scotland, Iran, South Korea and Julen Lopetegui's Qatar also failed to progress, among others.
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