World Cup 2026 · Day 27

England edge Mexico 3-2 in an Azteca classic, Spain send Ronaldo home 1-0 as Merino strikes in stoppage time, and Argentina against Egypt and Switzerland against Colombia close the round of 16 today

The 2026 World Cup round of 16 nears its end. On 5 July, England survived a thunderstorm delay and a red card to beat hosts Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca. On 6 July, Spain knocked out Portugal 1-0 with a stoppage time goal in what proved Cristiano Ronaldo's last World Cup match, while Belgium and the United States met in Seattle. On Tuesday 7 July, Argentina face Egypt and Switzerland play Colombia to complete the quarter-final field. Five verified stories.

7 July 2026 · WorldCuply.com daily news archive

Round of 16

England win an Azteca classic 3-2 against Mexico to reach the quarter-finals

England beat hosts Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca on 5 July, per NPR, CBS Sports, Al Jazeera and CNN. Jude Bellingham scored twice inside the first half, the goals 98 seconds apart, and Harry Kane added a penalty. Julian Quinones and a Raul Jimenez penalty kept Mexico within one goal, and England held on for more than 40 minutes with ten men after Jarell Quansah was sent off early in the second half. It was Mexico's first ever home defeat at a World Cup, and England advance to the last eight.

Sources: NPR · CBS Sports · Al Jazeera · CNN
Round of 16

Spain beat Portugal 1-0 with a Merino stoppage time winner in Ronaldo's last World Cup match

Spain knocked out Portugal 1-0 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on 6 July, with Mikel Merino scoring in the 90+1 minute, per Yahoo Sports, NBC News and Sky Sports. The defeat ended the World Cup career of 41 year old Cristiano Ronaldo, who was in tears as Portugal went out. Spain, who finished among the top of the final FIFA rankings before the tournament, advance to the quarter-finals.

Sources: Yahoo Sports · NBC News · Sky Sports
Round of 16

De Ketelaere strikes twice as Belgium and the United States meet in Seattle for the last quarter-final place

Belgium and the United States closed out the round of 16 at Lumen Field in Seattle on 6 July, per CNN, NBC News and CBS Sports. Charles De Ketelaere put Belgium ahead in the ninth minute and headed a second in the 33rd, either side of a deflected Malik Tillman equalizer in the 31st, and Belgium led 2-1 as the second half wore on. The winner takes the final quarter-final berth against Spain.

Sources: CNN · NBC News · CBS Sports
Bracket

Quarter-final schedule set for 9 to 11 July, France meet Morocco in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final

The 2026 World Cup quarter-finals run from 9 to 11 July, all in the United States, in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Kansas City, per Al Jazeera, FIFA.com and FOX Sports. France, who beat Paraguay, meet Morocco, who knocked out co-hosts Canada, in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final, on 9 July in Boston. Norway, 2-1 winners over Brazil, face England, while Spain await the winner of the United States against Belgium.

Sources: Al Jazeera · FIFA.com · FOX Sports
Round of 16

Argentina against Egypt and Switzerland against Colombia complete the round of 16 today

The last two round of 16 ties are played on Tuesday 7 July, per Al Jazeera, ESPN and Sky Sports. Argentina face Egypt at Atlanta Stadium, and Switzerland meet Colombia at BC Place in Vancouver. The two winners take the last places in the quarter-finals, where they will meet each other for a spot in the semi-finals.

Sources: Al Jazeera · ESPN · Sky Sports