FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 results for July 4 as Morocco defeat Canada and France edge past Paraguay to qualify for the quarter-finals. Read the complete match roundup.
A Thrilling Start to the Round of 16
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 began in style on 4 July, with Morocco and France becoming the first teams to secure places in the quarter-finals. From dominant attacking football to a tense tactical battle, the day’s fixtures delivered everything fans expect from the knockout stage.
Morocco Outclass Canada to Reach the Last Eight
Morocco produced a commanding performance in Houston, defeating Canada 3-0 to book a historic quarter-final spot. After withstanding early Canadian pressure, Morocco came alive in the second half as Azzedine Ounahi scored twice before Soufiane Rahimi added a late goal. The convincing victory continued Morocco’s impressive FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign and made them the first team to reach the quarter-finals.
France Overcome Paraguay in a Hard-Fought Contest
France battled past a resilient Paraguay side with a 1-0 victory in Philadelphia. A second-half penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé proved to be the difference after a VAR review awarded France the decisive spot-kick. Despite Paraguay’s disciplined defending, France held firm to secure a place in the quarter-finals, where they will meet Morocco in one of the tournament’s biggest clashes.
Quarter-Final Picture Begins to Take Shape
With Morocco’s emphatic win and France’s narrow triumph, the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage is gathering momentum. As the race for football’s biggest prize continues, the first quarter-final pairing—France vs Morocco—promises to be one of the tournament’s most exciting encounters.
