World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Matchups: July 5

Two compelling matches featuring international soccer heavyweights take the pitch on Sunday, July 5 in the Round of 16 World Cup 2026. Dramatic late-game heroics propelled Brazil and Norway into their showdown with Brazil opening as soccer odds favorites at -112. A dark horse threat, Norway is priced at +315 with a draw at +270 on the three-way moneyline. The total surfaced at 2.5 goals.

Mexico posted its fourth clean sheet in as many matches to reach the World Cup Round of 16 beating Ecuador 2-0. Entering the knockout stage as one of the top three favorites to win the title, England needed a pair of late goals from Harry Kane to beat DR Congo 2-1 and avoid an embarrassing loss. England opened as a plus-money favorite at +114 and Mexico at +220 with a draw at +221 and the total at 2 goals.

Playing on home soil Mexico has been dominant in the tournament and is the first team to win four matches without allowing a goal. They will be tested by a seasoned England squad that surfaced as a futures odds favorite entering the knockout stage.

What Is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Format for the Round of 16?

Previously the first knockout stage, the World Cup Round of 16 is now the second following the Round of 32 that was created due to the expansion of the tournament field from 32 to 48 nations for the 2026 competition. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 format features a fixed single-elimination bracket with teams competing in eight winner-take-all matches.

How Teams Reach the Round of 16

• To reach the Round of 16 teams must successfully operate through two phases: the group stage and the first knockout stage Round of 32.
• Advancing out of the group stage requires a team to finish first or second following three group stage matches to automatically qualify. The third-place teams with the eight best records advance as wild cards.
• The expanded knockout stage field forced the introduction of the new Round of 32. Teams must win their specific match to earn a spot in the Round of 16.

How Knockout Matches Are Decided

• Unlike the group stage, draws are NOT an acceptable outcome. All knockout stage matches must produce a winner.
• Teams reach the Round 16 by winning their previous match with the losing team sent home.
• Matches are decided in regulation time plus stoppage. If tied after 90 minutes teams will play 30 minutes of extra time (two 15-minute halves).
• If the score remains level a standard penalty kick shootout decides the winner.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Matchups Today

Over a span of four days from July 4 to July 7 the Round of 16 World Cup 2026 will be contested with two matches played each day. The second day of competition features two blockbuster games with international powers Brazil and England facing upstarts Norway and Mexico respectively.

Brazil and Norway face each other in the first match of the day at 4 p.m. ET from MetLife Stadium. Both teams are hoping to be back at this venue in two weeks for the final match. Erling Haaland broke a 1-1 with his fifth goal of the tournament in the 86th minute to lift Norway. Not to be outdone, Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage for a 2-1 win over Japan.

Mexico will aim to use the home soil advantage to its benefit to continue their World Cup run at 8 p.m. ET. Mexico has outscored its opponents 8-0 in the tournament and holds a big advantage playing in the elevation of Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Still, the veteran-led squad from England showed determination in a dramatic comeback win to reach the Round of 32 and is a slight World Cup betting odds favorite.

2026 World Cup Round of 16 Bracket Structure

The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 bracket structure consists of eight fixed, single-elimination matches with two matches played each day from July 4 to July 7. The bracket is split into two halves with the winners of each day’s matches advancing to face each other in the quarterfinal round.

Once the knockout stage begins each match is assigned a number with the bracket showing match winners progressing through the bracket to the championship round.

How the Round of 16 Connects to the Quarterfinals

• The Round of 16 teams are paired strictly by their match numbers (i.e. 89 vs. 90, 91 vs. 92, etc.) and advance to face each other in the quarterfinals.
• There is no redraw or reseeding.
• The eight winners are paired off by match numbers into four specific quarterfinal matches.

Potential Bracket Paths for Top Teams

• The bracket paths for the tournament’s top teams vary significantly. Argentina has a favorable layout while Spain faces a potentially more dangerous route.
• Because the World Cup 2026 bracket is fixed with no reseeding, early upsets can impact the path for top teams. Paraguay’s upset of Germany cleared the way for France to reach the quarters.
• With their position in the bracket, Argentina avoids heavyweights France, Spain and England until the semifinals or final.

World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Predictions

Though they stumbled for a good portion of the match, England kept their cool and survived behind a pair of late goals from Harry Kane for the 2-1 victory setting up a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 matchup with Mexico. There is plenty that needs to be cleaned up, but with Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, they can score. Mexico’s stout defense will be challenged, but playing at home and with plenty of momentum, our World Cup 2026 Round of 16 predictions has Mexico advancing.

The contest between Norway and Brazil is predicted to be a tight struggle. That’s almost expected at this stage of the tournament and both clubs experienced that in their knockout stage openers with identical 2-1 victories on late markers. They have been erratic in their play, but Brazil has elite individual talent to emerge victorious.

Brazil vs. Norway Prediction

Arguably the best striker in the world, Erling Haaland can single-handedly change the trajectory of a match. He has five goals in the three World Cup games he’s played. The match he sat in was also Norway’s only loss of the tournament. Haaland and Martin Odegaard can attack a vulnerable Brazil back wall with hopes of getting an upset victory.

There’s no arguing the talent level of Brazil. They boast elite forwards topped by Vinicius Junior but have yet to look like a team that plays together. One might expect the group to become more cohesive playing more games together. They have looked disorganized many times but overcame that with superior depth and talent.

Mexico vs. England Prediction

England faces a monumental task of winning in Mexico City at altitude with just three days of rest between their knockout stage opener and this contest. England is the favorite but they could easily be the underdog considering what they’re up against. They have been reliant on the brilliance of Harry Kane and need production from others to advance.

Playing at home with plenty of momentum and offered at a good price, Mexico should be the soccer odds favorite. They have a balanced roster that is accustomed to playing at an elevation of more than 7,300 feet above sea level and have displayed that in the World Cup with four clean sheet victories. Mexico’s disciplined play and the raucous environment will take England out of its comfort zone.

Daily Round of 16 World Cup 2026 Matchup Summary

Mexico has been one of the best teams and enters the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 riding a huge wave of momentum. Backed by a stout defense and massive home soil advantage I can see them getting past an England squad that has struggled for consistency.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Norway won its matchup with Brazil, but the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 predictions has the Brazilians breaking down Norway’s back wall with depth and world-class individual talent.