By Shakeel Rehman & Suleman Khan
The FIFA World Cup 2026, being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has entered its decisive knockout stage, with the Round of 16 producing thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments for football fans around the world. Featuring an expanded 48-team format for the first time in history, the tournament has already set several new records while showcasing football of the highest standard.
France and Morocco became the first two teams to secure places in the quarter-finals after impressive victories in the opening Round of 16 fixtures. France edged Paraguay 1-0 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the second consecutive tournament, while Morocco defeated hosts Canada 3-0 to continue their remarkable run on the world stage. The two sides will now meet in the quarter-finals on July 9 at Boston Stadium, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
In Houston, Morocco produced a commanding performance to eliminate Canada with a convincing 3-0 victory. Although the hosts dominated possession and created several chances during the first half, they failed to break through Morocco’s disciplined defence. Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi opened the scoring in the 50th minute before adding his second goal in the 82nd minute. Sofiane Rahimi sealed the victory with a stoppage-time goal, completing a memorable performance. With this historic triumph, Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in two consecutive tournaments.
France, meanwhile, displayed tactical discipline and defensive solidity to overcome Paraguay by a single goal, reinforcing their status as one of the strongest contenders for the title.
*Remaining Round of 16 Fixtures
July 5
Brazil vs Norway
England vs Mexico
July 6
Spain vs Portugal
United States vs Belgium
July 7
Argentina vs Egypt
Switzerland vs Colombia
*
The winners of these six matches will complete the eight-team quarter-final lineup.
Key Records and Highlights
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition in history to feature 48 participating nations. The tournament will consist of 104 matches, making it the biggest FIFA World Cup ever.
France have been among the tournament’s most balanced teams, excelling in both attack and defence. Morocco have continued their impressive rise in international football by reaching the knockout stage for a second successive World Cup, underlining the growing strength of African football. England captain Harry Kane has also maintained outstanding form, scoring several crucial goals on the road to the Round of 16.
The Road to the Quarter-Finals
With France and Morocco already through, six quarter-final places remain to be decided. Football giants including Brazil, England, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, the United States, Mexico, Norway, Egypt, Switzerland and Colombia are all battling to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Football analysts believe the expanded tournament has made the competition more unpredictable than ever before, with every knockout match carrying the intensity of a final. If the current standard continues, fans can expect even more dramatic and memorable contests in the remaining stages of FIFA World Cup 2026.
