The 2026 World Cup is entering the most exciting phase of the tournament – more teams are eliminated and the 1/8-final bracket is slowly becoming clearer. Check which pairs are already certain when the next knockout phase matches will be played and what the entire tournament path to the final looks like. We update the article regularly with the results of the 1/16 finals.
Pairs of the 1/8 finals of the 2026 World Cup – what do we already know?
One pair The 1/8-finals of the 2026 World Cup have already been fully confirmed, and the remaining rankings will be clarified after all matches of the 1/16-finals are completed, which will last until July 1. This year’s World Cup is being played for the first time in an expanded format with the participation of 48 teams, which is why there is an additional knockout round before the quarterfinals.
As of today (June 30, 2026), we already know one complete pair and two certain participants of the next meetings. Currently the situation is as follows:
- Canada – Morocco (July 4, 7:00 p.m.) – first fully confirmed pair of 1/8 finals
- Paraguay – winner of the France-Sweden match (July 4, 11 p.m.)
- Brazil – winner of the Ivory Coast – Norway match (July 5, 10 p.m.)
Morocco advanced after a thrilling match against the Netherlands, ending in a 1-1 draw and winning 3-2 in a penalty shootout. Paraguay also advanced after the elevens competition, eliminating Germany. Brazil, in turn, secured a place in the round of 16 after a 2-1 victory over Japan.
The remaining pairs of the 1/8 finals of the 2026 World Cup will be updated on an ongoing basis as the subsequent knockout phase matches end. Thanks to this, fans will quickly learn who will play with whom in the round of 16 of the World Cup and what the 2026 World Cup ladder will ultimately look like.
1/8 finals World Cup 2026 schedule – when are the next matches?
The 2026 World Cup 1/8 final matches will be played on time July 4-7and the winners of eight matches will advance to the quarterfinals. The competition will take place mainly in the evening hours, Polish time, which means that fans will be able to watch both evening and night broadcasts.
The schedule for the 1/8 finals of the 2026 World Cup is as follows:
| Data | Time (Polish time) | Game |
|---|---|---|
| July 4th | 19:00 | Canada – Morocco |
| July 4th | 23:00 | Paraguay – winner of the France/Sweden match |
| July 5 | 22:00 | Brazil – winner of the Ivory Coast/Norway match |
| July 6 | 2:00 | winner of the Mexico/Ecuador match – winner of the England/DR Congo match |
| July 6 | 21:00 | winner of the Portugal/Croatia match – winner of the Spain/Austria match |
| July 7 | 2:00 | winner of the USA/Bosnia and Herzegovina match – winner of the Belgium/Senegal match |
| July 7 | 18:00 | winner of the Argentina/Cape Verde match – winner of the Australia/Egypt match |
| July 7 | 22:00 | winner of the Switzerland/Algeria match – winner of the Colombia/Ghana match |
It is worth keeping up to date with the schedule of the 1/8 finals of the 2026 World Cup, because with the end of subsequent matches of the 1/16 finals, specific teams will appear in the ladder. Currently, the Canada-Morocco pair is fully confirmed, while the next two matches already have one of the participants selected. The final shape of the 2026 World Cup bracket will be known after all matches of the 1/16 finals are completed.
Who will play whom in the 1/8 World Cup – the most interesting clashes
Among the potential matches of the 1/8 finals of the 2026 World Cup the most emotions clashes involving Brazil, Morocco and European teams, which are still fighting to advance from the 1/16 finals. Although not all pairs have been completed yet, it is already known that fans will have some very interesting duels.
The following deserve special attention:
- Canada – Morocco – this is the first fully confirmed pair of 1/8 finals. The tournament hosts will face the revelation of the knockout phase, which eliminated the Netherlands after a series of penalties.
- Paraguay – France/Sweden – Paraguay advanced after a dramatic match against Germany, and its rival will be one of the European teams that are among the favorites.
- Brazil – Ivory Coast/Norway – After the victory over Japan, the Canarinhos remain one of the main candidates to win the world championship.
The matches of the 1/16 finals also arouse great emotions, the winners of which will form the next pairs of the 1/8 finals. Particular attention is drawn to the match between Portugal and Croatia, which may be the last World Cup match between Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.
The final answer to the question of who will play whom in the round of 16 of the World Cup will be known after all the matches of the round of 16 have ended. Then the 2026 World Cup ladder and the potential path of individual teams to the final will be fully clarified.
What does the entire 2026 World Cup ladder to the final look like?
The road to the 2026 World Cup final runs through two parts of the laddereach of which will select one participant in the gold medal match. This means that the teams on the same side of the ladder can meet each other no later than in the semi-finals, while teams from opposite parts will play only in the grand final scheduled for July 19.
The first part of the ladder included teams from Europe, North America and Africa. The following are fighting or will fight to advance to the quarterfinals:
- Paraguay – France/Sweden,
- Canada – Morocco,
- Portugal – Croatia,
- Spain – Austria,
- United States – Bosnia and Herzegovina,
- Belgium – Senegal.
It is from this side of the tournament path that one of the European title favorites may emerge. France, Portugal, Spain and Belgium remain in the game, which promises a very demanding path to the final.
The second part of the ladder brings together teams from South America, North America, Africa and Europe. Fighting for advancement to the next stage:
- Brazil – Ivory Coast/Norway,
- Mexico – Ecuador,
- Anglia – DR Konga,
- Argentina – Cape Verde,
- Australia – Egypt,
- Switzerland – Algeria,
- Colombia – Ghana.
The lower part of the ladder, which includes Brazil and Argentina, looks particularly interesting. This means that the two great rivals from South America could face each other already at the semi-final stage, and not only in the final. England and Colombia also remain in this part of the ladder and also have ambitions to fight for medals.
After the round of 16 matches, played on July 4-7, the tournament will enter the decisive phase. The quarterfinals will take place between July 9 and 11, the semifinals are scheduled for July 14 and 15, and the World Championship final will be played on July 19, 2026. The 2026 World Cup ladder shows that from the first rounds of the knockout phase, fans can expect fights at a level worthy of the World Cup final.
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FAQ – frequently asked questions about the 1/8-finals of the 2026 World Cup
⚽ When will we know all the 1/8-final pairs of the 2026 World Cup?
The last pairs will be determined on July 1, 2026, after the end of the 1/16 finals.
📅 When are the 1/8 finals of the World Cup played?
The meetings will be held on July 4-7, 2026.
Piala Dunia 2026
Piala Dunia FIFA 2026 akan menjadi edisi paling revolusioner dalam sejarah sepak bola dunia. Turnamen ini untuk pertama kalinya akan diselenggarakan di tiga negara sekaligus, yaitu Amerika Serikat, Kanada, dan Meksiko. Selain itu, jumlah peserta juga meningkat dari 32 menjadi 48 tim, membuka peluang lebih besar bagi negara-negara dari berbagai konfederasi untuk tampil di panggung global. Format baru ini akan menghadirkan lebih banyak pertandingan, atmosfer kompetisi yang lebih luas, serta jangkauan penonton yang semakin besar di seluruh dunia.
Dengan skala yang jauh lebih besar, FIFA menargetkan turnamen ini sebagai ajang yang tidak hanya kompetitif tetapi juga spektakuler dari sisi teknologi dan pengalaman penonton. Stadion-stadion modern di berbagai kota tuan rumah telah dipersiapkan untuk menghadirkan pertandingan berkelas dunia, didukung oleh inovasi seperti peningkatan sistem VAR dan pengalaman digital bagi fans. diprediksi akan menjadi tonggak baru dalam evolusi sepak bola internasional, memperkuat popularitas olahraga ini sekaligus menciptakan momen-momen bersejarah yang akan dikenang dalam waktu lama.
