The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 runs from Saturday, July 4 through Tuesday, July 7, 2026, as the 32-team knockout field is cut in half. Eight single-elimination matches pair the winners of the Round of 32, and the eight survivors advance to the quarterfinals (July 9-11). Below you will find the full Round of 16 schedule, the bracket structure, a free printable, and live matchups that fill in here as the Round of 32 is completed.
2026 World Cup Round of 16: Quick Facts
- Dates: Saturday, July 4 – Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (two matches per day).
- Format: 16 teams, single elimination; the 8 winners advance to the quarterfinals.
- What feeds it: the 16 winners of the Round of 32 (June 28 – July 3).
- Next rounds: Quarterfinals July 9–11, Semifinals July 14–15, Final Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
- How to watch (US): FOX and FS1 (English) and Telemundo (Spanish); stream via the Fox Sports app, Tubi, and Peacock. Times are Eastern.
- Printable: a free blank knockout bracket (Round of 32 to Final) is available below.
How the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 Works
The Round of 16 is the second stage of the knockout bracket. Each match pairs two Round of 32 winners; there are no draws, so every game is decided on the day (extra time and, if needed, a penalty shootout). Win and you advance to the quarterfinals; lose and you are out. The bracket is fixed, so the path to the final is set the moment the Round of 32 is complete.
2026 World Cup Round of 16 Schedule
All eight Round of 16 matches, July 4–7, 2026. Matchups appear here as each Round of 32 result is confirmed.
| Match | Date | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Sat, July 4 | Winner R32 Match 1 vs Winner R32 Match 2 |
| Match 2 | Sat, July 4 | Winner R32 Match 3 vs Winner R32 Match 4 |
| Match 3 | Sun, July 5 | Winner R32 Match 5 vs Winner R32 Match 6 |
| Match 4 | Sun, July 5 | Winner R32 Match 7 vs Winner R32 Match 8 |
| Match 5 | Mon, July 6 | Winner R32 Match 9 vs Winner R32 Match 10 |
| Match 6 | Mon, July 6 | Winner R32 Match 11 vs Winner R32 Match 12 |
| Match 7 | Tue, July 7 | Winner R32 Match 13 vs Winner R32 Match 14 |
| Match 8 | Tue, July 7 | Winner R32 Match 15 vs Winner R32 Match 16 |
2026 World Cup Round of 16: Live Matchups & Results
The Round of 16 field is set once the Round of 32 finishes on July 3. Confirmed matchups and results will appear here as they are decided.
Printable 2026 World Cup Round of 16 Bracket
Want to track it on paper? Download the free blank knockout bracket below, then fill in each Round of 16 winner as the games are played.
Download the Free Printable Knockout Bracket (PDF) »
More Free Printable World Cup Bracket Formats
Pick the bracket that fits your pool or print setup:
- Round of 32 schedule & printable knockout bracket — the round feeding the Round of 16.
- Bracket with all groups filled in — see every group result feeding the knockouts.
- Blank knockout bracket (Round of 32 to Final) — fill it in as the games are played.
- Landscape bracket — wide format, great for printing big.
- Low-ink black & white bracket — printer-friendly.
- Interactive bracket generator — build and share your picks online.
More 2026 World Cup Resources
Track the rest of the knockouts with the Round of 32 schedule and bracket, see which teams have qualified for the knockouts, and view the full bracket with every group filled in.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 World Cup Round of 16?
The Round of 16 is played July 4-7, 2026, with two matches each day. Winners advance to the quarterfinals on July 9-11.
How are the Round of 16 matchups decided?
Each Round of 16 match pairs two winners from the Round of 32 (June 28-July 3). The bracket is fixed, so matchups are set as soon as the Round of 32 is complete.
What happens if a Round of 16 match is tied?
Knockout matches cannot end in a draw. If the score is level after 90 minutes, the match goes to extra time and, if still tied, a penalty shootout.
How can I watch the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 in the US?
Matches air on FOX and FS1 in English and Telemundo in Spanish, with streaming on the Fox Sports app, Tubi, and Peacock.
