The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 continued with three knockout matches completed earlier today, as France, Mexico and Norway secured their places in the Round of 16 with convincing performances.
Mexico delighted home supporters with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador in Mexico City, while France comfortably dispatched Sweden 3-0 in New Jersey. In Texas, Norway edged Ivory Coast 2-1 in a tightly contested encounter to keep its World Cup campaign alive.
With the latest results, the Round of 16 lineup continues to take shape as the tournament heads deeper into the knockout stage.
| Ivory Coast vs Norway | Norway 2-1 | Dallas Stadium, Texas |
| France vs Sweden | France 3-0 | New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey |
| Mexico vs Ecuador | Mexico 2-0 | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City |
Teams Qualified for the Round of 16
| Qualified Teams |
|---|
| Canada |
| Brazil |
| Paraguay |
| Morocco |
| Norway |
| France |
| Mexico |
Eliminated: Ivory Coast, Sweden and Ecuador.
Mexico Delivers in Front of Home Fans
Playing before a passionate crowd at Mexico City Stadium, Mexico extended its unbeaten run in the tournament with a composed 2-0 victory over Ecuador.
The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute, when Julián Quiñones capitalized on a defensive mistake to give El Tri the lead.
Mexico doubled its advantage just nine minutes later as veteran striker Raúl Jiménez calmly finished to make it 2-0 before halftime, putting Ecuador under immense pressure for the remainder of the match.
Ecuador’s hopes of mounting a comeback faded late in the contest when defender Piero Hincapié received a straight red card, leaving his team with 10 men as Mexico comfortably closed out the win.
The victory sends El Tri into the Round of 16 with confidence after another disciplined display on both ends of the pitch.
France Sends Strong Title Message Against Sweden
France produced one of the most dominant performances of the knockout stage, defeating Sweden 3-0 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
From the opening whistle, Les Bleus controlled possession, dictated the tempo and prevented Sweden from creating meaningful attacking opportunities.
France’s attacking unit consistently found space with quick passing combinations, while its defense remained organized throughout the match to preserve a clean sheet.
The comprehensive victory reinforces France’s status as one of the tournament favorites heading into the Round of 16.
Norway Holds Off Ivory Coast in Tactical Battle
The day’s closest contest unfolded in Dallas, where Norway earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast.
The opening half was a cautious affair, with both teams focusing on defensive organization and midfield control.
Norway eventually broke through by taking advantage of space on the flanks before converting inside the penalty area to establish a narrow lead.
Ivory Coast responded with relentless pressure late in the match, but Norway’s disciplined defense withstood the challenge to secure its place in the next round.
Round of 16 Picture Continues to Develop
Following today’s results, France, Mexico and Norway join Canada, Brazil, Paraguay and Morocco in the Round of 16.
More knockout places will be decided later today as another three Round of 32 fixtures take center stage.
Upcoming Round of 32 Matches
| England vs DR Congo | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
| Belgium vs Senegal | Seattle Stadium, USA |
| USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | San Francisco Bay Area, USA |
England Faces Historic DR Congo Challenge
England enters the knockout stage after finishing top of Group L, but faces a confident DR Congo side that reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time after advancing from Group K.
Belgium and Senegal Meet in Heavyweight Clash
Belgium and Senegal square off in one of the day’s most anticipated fixtures, with the winner set to face Brazil in the Round of 16.
USA Looks to Capitalize on Home Advantage
Co-host USA closes out the day’s action in the San Francisco Bay Area, aiming to book a Round of 16 meeting against either Spain or Austria.
As the knockout stage progresses, every match carries increasing significance with a place in the World Cup quarterfinals edging closer for the remaining contenders.
