The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached the sharp end of the knockout phase, with the round of 16 now underway and only a dozen nations still able to win the trophy.
Whether you call it football or soccer, the tournament has packed a huge amount into just a few weeks. The expanded 48-team format has delivered 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the group stage wrapping up on June 27 and the knockout rounds beginning on June 28.
As of July 7, six of the eight round-of-16 ties have already been completed, which means 12 teams remain alive and 36 have been eliminated from the competition.
That makes this a good moment to take stock of who is still in the hunt, who has already gone home, and which teams have impressed most by points accumulated so far — three for a win, one for a draw and zero for a defeat — with goal difference used as the tie-breaker.
France have looked every bit like title contenders. Their squad has a rare mix of pace, power and depth, with Kylian Mbappé again central to everything they do and support coming from across the pitch.
Les Bleus reached the knockout rounds with confidence and then kept their momentum going in the round of 16, edging past Paraguay to book their place in the quarterfinals.
After winning the World Cup in 2018 and finishing as runners-up in 2022, France are trying to turn a consistent run at the top level into another trophy.
Morocco have also kept themselves in the conversation with a disciplined and well-organised campaign. They have looked difficult to break down and dangerous on the counter, continuing the momentum that has made them one of the most respected sides in international football.
The Atlas Lions have already seen off Canada in the knockout phase and now have a heavyweight quarterfinal tie ahead.
Spain, meanwhile, continue to look calm and controlled. Their possession-heavy approach has not always been flashy, but it has been effective, and they have now joined the quarterfinal line-up after a narrow win over Portugal.
That result also ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s final realistic shot at World Cup glory, while Spain’s younger core kept their nerve in a tense, high-stakes match.
England are through as well, although they had to work for it. In a dramatic contest against Mexico, the Three Lions survived a difficult spell to stay alive and move on to the next round.
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham remain the key men for England, but the side has also shown enough resilience to suggest this could be a deep run if they keep their composure.
Argentina are also still alive and, as always, any conversation about their chances begins with Lionel Messi.
The holders have not had an easy path, but they remain in the tournament and continue to carry the aura of a team that knows exactly how to win in knockout football.
Messi continues to extend his remarkable World Cup record, and Argentina will be hoping his presence can help them navigate the pressure of the business end of the competition once again.
They are now into the quarterfinals after getting past Egypt.
Norway have emerged as one of the tournament’s big surprises. Their win over Brazil sent a genuine shock through the bracket and confirmed that they are capable of beating one of the traditional giants on the biggest stage.
Erling Haaland has been central to that run, leading the line with authority and giving Norway a cutting edge that has made them dangerous every time they go forward.
Belgium are through too after sweeping aside the United States in Seattle, ending the hosts’ run and underlining their own tournament credentials.
For Belgium’s experienced core, this competition may be one of the last realistic shots at lifting the World Cup, and they have played with that sense of urgency.
The USA’s exit was one of the tournament’s biggest talking points, not just because of the result but because of everything that surrounded it.
The buildup to the match against Belgium was dominated by debate over Folarin Balogun’s suspension, adding another layer of scrutiny to an already intense home tournament for the co-hosts.
Switzerland and Colombia are the two teams still to play their round-of-16 tie, with the winner set to complete the quarterfinal line-up.
Switzerland came through the group stage unbeaten and have looked steady and well drilled, while Colombia have brought energy, direct running and plenty of attacking threat.
With just one match left in the round of 16 at the time of writing, the bracket is beginning to take shape. France, Spain, England, Argentina, Norway and Belgium are already through, Morocco are waiting in the last eight, and one of Switzerland or Colombia will join them shortly.
From here on, every match carries the weight of elimination. The margin for error is gone, the pressure is rising, and the race to the final on July 19 is well and truly on.