2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16: Teams, Schedule, Bracket & Format

The 2026 FIFA World Cup makes history as the biggest tournament ever. A total of 48 nations will compete across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. This expanded format brings 104 matches over 39 days.

The Round of 16 happens from July 4-7, 2026. Only sixteen teams reach this stage after surviving the group phase and Round of 32. Each match becomes a knockout battle. Winners advance to the quarterfinals. Losers go home.

This guide explains how the Round of 16 works and covers the schedule, teams, bracket structure, and ticket information.

How the Round of 16 Works (Format)

The 2026 World Cup uses a new structure. The tournament starts with 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group move forward. The eight best third-place teams also advance. This creates 32 teams for the first knockout round.

Teams must win their Round of 32 match to reach the Round of 16. All 16 survivors then face single elimination matches. No second chances exist at this level.

The path looks like this: Group Stage leads to Round of 32, then Round of 16, followed by Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final.

Match Rules

Games tied after 90 minutes go to extra time. Two 15-minute periods decide close matches. Teams still tied after extra time go to penalty kicks. The winner advances and the loser exits the tournament.

Key Tournament Facts

Total teams start at 48. Only 16 reach the Round of 16 stage. Eight matches happen over four days between July 4-7. Winners move to the quarterfinals. Each team needs four straight wins to become champion.

World Cup Round of 16 Teams

The full list of qualified nations will be confirmed after the Round of 32 concludes on July 3, 2026. The 16 advancing teams will represent the best from every region: Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Right now, 28 nations have secured their spots for the tournament. Twenty more places remain open until March 2026. The United States, Mexico, and Canada qualified automatically as host nations.

Fans can expect football giants like Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, Spain, and England. Rising nations from Africa and Asia will bring fresh energy. First-time qualifiers Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Cape Verde add unpredictability to the competition.

The tournament draw takes place December 5, 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. A complete team table will be added once the Round of 32 results are finalized.

2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Schedule

The Round of 16 runs from Saturday July 4 through Tuesday July 7, 2026. Eight matches take place across four days. Two games happen each day at different venues and times.

Date	Teams	Match	Time	Stadium
Sat Jul 4	Winner 74 vs Winner 77	89	TBD	Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Sat Jul 4	Winner 73 vs Winner 75	90	TBD	NRG Stadium, Houston
Sun Jul 5	Winner 76 vs Winner 78	91	TBD	MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Sun Jul 5	Winner 79 vs Winner 80	92	TBD	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Mon Jul 6	Winner 83 vs Winner 84	93	TBD	AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Mon Jul 6	Winner 81 vs Winner 82	94	TBD	Lumen Field, Seattle
Tue Jul 7	Winner 86 vs Winner 88	95	TBD	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Tue Jul 7	Winner 85 vs Winner 87	96	TBD	BC Place, Vancouver

Times are shown in Eastern Time. FIFA will announce exact kickoff times after the December 5 draw.

Host Venues

Six United States cities host matches: Philadelphia, Houston, East Rutherford (New Jersey), Arlington (Texas), Seattle, and Atlanta. Mexico City represents Mexico at the legendary Estadio Azteca. Vancouver hosts Canada’s Round of 16 match at BC Place.

Stadium capacities range from 54,000 in Vancouver to 83,000 at Estadio Azteca. The iconic Mexican venue previously hosted World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986.

World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Bracket (Current Scenario)

The Round of 16 bracket connects the winners from the Round of 32. Teams pair according to their performance and bracket path from the earlier knockout round.

The bracket divides into two sides: the top half and the bottom half. This structure leads toward the semifinals and final. The official FIFA bracket layout will be updated once Round of 32 results are finalized.

A printable Round of 16 bracket in PDF format will be available for download on match week. Fans can track their favorite teams and make predictions as the tournament progresses.

Round of 16 Tickets – Price & How to Buy

Demand runs high for Round of 16 tickets at premier stadiums like MetLife, Estadio Azteca, and AT&T Stadium.

Ticket Prices

Official FIFA prices start around $118 for upper corner seats. Mid-level tickets cost $200-400. Premium Category 1 seats range from $300-600. Hospitality packages begin near $5,300 per person and reach $73,200 for VIP experiences.

Secondary market tickets average $3,600 but start around $599 on resale platforms. High-profile matchups cost much more. Prices change based on teams playing and seat location.

How to Buy

Visit FIFA.com/tickets for official purchases. You need a FIFA account with verified ID. Visa and Mastercard work as payment. Host country residents may get priority access.

The early ticket draw closed October 31, 2025. General sales continue now. Another sales phase opens after the December 5 tournament draw. More tickets become available closer to match dates on first-come first-served basis.

FIFA uses dynamic pricing so costs rise with demand. Buy early to get better prices. The official resale platform launches for fans who cannot attend their purchased matches.

Avoid Scams

Never buy from unauthorized websites. Fraudulent sites claim early ticket availability. Only trust FIFA official channels and verified resellers like StubHub. Check seller ratings before purchase. Deals that seem too cheap often prove fake.

WC 2026 Round of 16 FAQs