Folarin Balogun shines and sees red with devastating blow to USMNT
USA TODAY Sports’ John Arnold reacts to Folarin Balogun’s impressive performance, red card and suspension as the USMNT prepares to play Belgium.
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Editor’s note: For the latest updates on the USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina game, check out our live blog here.
The final 16 for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already taken shape, with eight teams securing spots. The early knockout matches highlighted just how unpredictable these high-stakes games can be, with no team having a clear advantage once the qualifying rounds began.
Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 in overtime, recording their first win of the tournament and making history as the first country to advance to the Round of 16.
The Round of 32 matches continued, with Brazil barely surviving a tense encounter with Japan. In the first round of the final tournament, Japan took the lead in the first half with Kaishu Sano’s opening goal. However, Casemiro equalized early in the second half and Gabriel Martinelli eventually gave Brazil a 2-1 victory in Houston.
The first major upset in the last 32 came when Germany were eliminated from the World Cup by losing to Paraguay on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw in Boston. In another dramatic development, the Netherlands also left the tournament after losing to Morocco on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in Guadalupe, Mexico.
Mexico advanced to the Round of 16 with a win over Ecuador on Tuesday, securing three more spots in the Round of 16.
A spot in the Round of 16 has been earned in dramatic fashion. Let’s take a look at who has progressed so far.
Teams advancing to the Round of 16:
- Canada
- Brazil
- paraguay
- Morocco
- Norway
- France
- Mexico
- england
- Belgium
- US
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World Cup Round of 16 Schedule
According to fifa.com, all times Eastern and match schedule:
Saturday, July 4th:
- Canada vs. Morocco, 1 p.m., NRG Stadium in Houston.
- Paraguay vs. France, 5 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Sunday, July 5th:
- Brazil vs. Norway, 4 p.m., MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
- Mexico vs. Mexico England, 8pm, Estadio Banorte, Mexico City
Monday, July 6th:
- Portugal/Croatia winner vs. Spain/Austria winner, 3 p.m., AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
- USA vs. Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 7th:
- Argentina/Cape Verde winner vs. Australia/Egypt winner, noon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
- Winner of Switzerland/Algeria vs. Winner of Colombia/Ghana, 4pm, BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, July 9th:
- Winner Game 89 vs. Winner Game 90, 4 p.m., Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.
Friday, July 10th:
- Winner Game 93 vs. Winner Game 94, 3 p.m., SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
When does the Round of 16 start?
The Round of 16 begins on Saturday, July 4th and will feature two matches. The first match will be between Paraguay and France. The second game will be between Canada and Morocco.
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Round of 32 Matchups
Below is the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 schedule.
June 28th
June 29th
- Brazil 2, Japan 1
- Germany 1, Paraguay 1 – Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties.
- Netherlands 1, Morocco 1 – Morocco won 3-2 on penalties
June 30th
- Norway 2, Ivory Coast 1
- France 3, Sweden 0
- Mexico 2, Ecuador 0
July 1st
- England 2, Democratic Republic of Congo 1
- Belgium 3, Senegal 2
- America 2, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
July 2nd
- Spain vs. Austria, 3pm ET | FOX, Telemundo
- Portugal vs. Croatia, 7pm ET | FOX, Telemundo
- Switzerland vs. Algeria, 11pm ET | FS1, Telemundo
July 3rd
- Australia vs. Egypt, 2pm ET | FOX, Telemundo
- Argentina vs. Cape Verde, 6pm ET | FOX, Telemundo
- Colombia vs. Ghana, 9:30 p.m. | Fox, Telemundo
