Belgium to face Senegal as World Cup 2026 last-16 bracket is finalized
The full round-of-16 bracket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was confirmed after the group stage concluded, setting up a clash between Belgium and Senegal on 1 July and a marquee Portugal vs Croatia tie.
The bracket is complete
The final matches of the group stage ended early on 28 June, confirming the 16 teams advancing to the knockout phase. The matchups were determined by a FIFA pre-established formula pairing group winners with third-placed teams from selected groups. The full schedule for the last 16 was published immediately.
- Group stage ends; full round-of-16 bracket confirmed
- Round of 16 begins: South Africa vs Canada at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Belgium vs Senegal at Lumen Field, Seattle; later, Portugal vs Croatia
Belgium's Senegal test
Belgium, who topped Group G, were drawn against Senegal, the third-placed team from Group I behind France and Norway. The two sides have never met before. The match will take place on Wednesday 1 July at Lumen Field in Seattle, close to Belgium's team base camp. If Belgium advance, they would face the winner of USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last eight, with a potential quarter-final against Spain, Portugal or Croatia.
Headline clashes
The standout tie sees Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, take on Croatia, captained by Luka Modric. Other eye-catching fixtures include the Netherlands vs Morocco, France vs Sweden, Brazil vs Japan, and Argentina against Cape Verde. Germany, England and Argentina were handed potentially more comfortable draws against Paraguay, DR Congo and Cape Verde respectively.
Tonight's opener
The knockout stage starts this evening with South Africa facing Canada at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (21:00 Swiss time). The match marks the beginning of the single-elimination phase of the first World Cup hosted by three nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
