France, Norway and Mexico have secured their spots in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after winning their respective Round of 32 matches.
At a glance
- France reached the Round of 16 by beating Sweden.
- France will play Paraguay in the next round on Saturday, July 4.
- Paraguay advanced by eliminating four-time champions Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
- Norway won their Round of 32 tie against Ivory Coast and will face five-time world champions Brazil.
- Brazil advanced after edging Japan 2-1, setting up a meeting with Norway.
- Mexico progressed by defeating Ecuador.
- Mexico’s Round of 16 opponent will be either DR Congo or England.
- England vs DR Congo is scheduled for later today at 5pm (Nigerian Time).
- Kylian Mbappé leads the top-scorer race on six goals, level with Messi.
- Erling Haaland is close behind on five goals.
France booked their place in the last 16 with a win over Sweden and will now shift focus to Paraguay. Paraguay earned their own Round of 16 spot by upsetting four-time champions Germany, triumphing 4-3 in the shootout after the match finished 1-1. Their Round of 16 meeting with France is set for Saturday, July 4.
Norway continued to turn heads in their World Cup debut campaign, defeating Ivory Coast to move on. The Scandinavian side’s reward is a matchup with Brazil, the tournament’s five-time champions.
Brazil’s path to the Round of 16 was set when they overcame Japan 2-1 in a tight Round of 32 contest. The result leaves Norway facing a Brazil side that edged through after a closely fought battle.
Mexico, meanwhile, also found a way past their Round of 32 opponents, beating Ecuador to earn progression. Their next test will be determined by a separate Round of 16 decider: England are scheduled to take on DR Congo later today at 5pm Nigerian Time, with the winner to face Mexico in the last 16.
The goal-scoring race is building extra pressure as the tournament moves into its next phase. France captain Mbappé leads the charts alongside Messi, both currently on six goals, while Norway’s striker Haaland remains in striking distance with five goals.
