The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 continues on Sunday with a prestigious duel.
Cristiano Ronaldo will face European champions Spain and Lamine Yamal in what is - with high probability - his last World Cup.
An overview of the schedule for July 6:
Schedule, July 6 (CEST):
02:00: Mexico - England (LIVE-Ticker >>>)
Hosts Mexico have not conceded a goal yet and advanced to the Round of 16 with a win against Ecuador.
England secured a 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the Round of 32 and, despite the difficult task at Estadio Azteca, are among the favorites.
The biggest challenge for the "Three Lions" is Mexico City's altitude (2,240 meters), which has already caused problems for many visiting teams.
The winner will face the victor of the Brazil vs. Norway match in the quarterfinals.
21:00: Portugal - Spain (LIVE-Ticker >>>)
The Iberian derby is considered the top match of the Round of 16 and is a repeat of last year's Nations League final.
Spain enters the Round of 16 with a 34-game unbeaten streak and a dominant 3-0 victory over Austria.
Portugal eliminated Croatia and, with Cristiano Ronaldo and a strong midfield featuring Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha, hopes to advance to the quarterfinals.
In particular, the clash between Spain's young star Lamine Yamal and Portugal's left-back Nuno Mendes could be decisive. The winner will face the USA or Belgium in the quarterfinals.
Schedule, July 7 (CEST):
02:00: USA - Belgium (LIVE-Ticker >>>)
The co-host welcomes the perennial dark horse in Seattle - the winner of this Round of 16 match will face Spain or Portugal.
Should they advance again, the USA would match their best World Cup result since the first finals in 1930; the US Boys also reached the quarterfinals in 2002. Belgium, on the other hand, has been in the semi-finals twice (most recently in 2018).
Originally, the most valuable US player would have been suspended for the Round of 16 due to a red card - but FIFA surprisingly lifted the ban 31 hours before the match and several days after the Round of 32.
Belgium has won five of their last seven knockout matches at World Cups. If the Europeans want to extend this record, one player in particular needs to continue delivering: Leandro Trossard. The winger created the most chances from open play at this World Cup (16) - only Messi surpasses Trossard in tournament history with 17 chances in 2022.
