Portugal secure Spain clash in World Cup 2026 Round of 16

By Arjun Nair / 03.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 3 July 2026 — 4 min read

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has progressed into its decisive phase, with the field of 48 teams narrowing down to 16 nations as the Round of 16 fixtures commence this weekend. Each knockout match now carries significant weight, as one team’s journey concludes while another advances closer to the trophy.

Thursday’s matches confirmed another major fixture, as Portugal achieved a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Croatia. This win sets up an anticipated encounter against neighbouring Spain in the next stage of the tournament. The Round of 32 has already delivered considerable drama, with only three matches remaining before the pre-quarterfinal lineup is fully determined.

Portugal’s path to the Round of 16

Portugal‘s victory over Croatia featured a notable performance from Cristiano Ronaldo. The player became the oldest to score in a FIFA World Cup knockout match after converting a second-half penalty. This goal contributed to Portugal‘s 2-1 comeback, securing their place in the last 16. Earlier on the same day, Spain comfortably defeated Austria 3-0, establishing one of the tournament’s standout fixtures.

The upcoming match between Portugal and Spain holds additional significance due to speculation that this could be Ronaldo‘s final appearance at a FIFA World Cup. His sister, Katia Aveiro, has referred to the tournament as the Portugal captain’s “last dance” with the national team, adding an emotional layer to the Iberian rivalry. Spain and Portugal have met 41 times previously, though most of these encounters were friendlies. Their most recent competitive meeting was in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final, where Portugal won on penalties after Ronaldo scored an equalizer before the shootout.

While Spain enters the contest as slight favourites, Portugal has recent history in their favour and possesses sufficient experience to potentially cause another upset.

Nagelsmann departs Germany role

In other news, Julian Nagelsmann has announced his departure from his role with Germany. In a statement from the DFB, Nagelsmann indicated that he had given considerable thought to his decision following the team’s elimination from the tournament. He consulted with trusted individuals both personally and within the federation before making his choice.

Nagelsmann stated that the decision was not easy for him, and his primary focus had always been the team’s success. He expressed that after a disappointing outcome, the team deserves an opportunity for a fresh start. He extended his gratitude to his coaching staff, the support team, and everyone at the federation who provided assistance, particularly the players with whom he had the privilege of working.

He also offered a special thank you to the fans, acknowledging their support, trust, and the energy they provided, even during challenging periods. Nagelsmann conveyed his regret that the team could not deliver more memorable nights of football at this World Cup, feeling that the fans deserved more.

Confirmed Round of 16 fixtures

The Round of 16 is set to begin on Saturday, with several significant matches already confirmed. Canada will face Morocco, while France will play Paraguay. Brazil has been paired with Norway, and England will meet Mexico as they continue their pursuit of a World Cup title. Hosts United States will play Belgium in another high-profile match.

Switzerland will compete against either Colombia or Ghana, depending on the results of the remaining Round of 32 fixtures. The final two spots in the last 16 will be decided after Argentina‘s match against Cabo Verde and Australia‘s encounter with Egypt. The winners of these matches will then play each other for a place in the quarterfinals.

Confirmed Round of 16 fixtures include:

• 4 July: Canada vs Morocco at 10:30 PM
• 5 July: Paraguay vs France at 2:30 AM
• 6 July: Brazil vs Norway at 1:30 AM
• 6 July: Mexico vs England at 5:30 AM
• 7 July: Portugal vs Spain at 12:30 AM
• 7 July: USA vs Belgium at 5:30 AM
• 7 July: Argentina/Cabo Verde vs Australia/Egypt at 9:30 PM
• 8 July: Switzerland vs Colombia/Ghana at 1:30 AM

With the knockout stage now taking shape, the margin for error has vanished, ensuring that by next week only eight nations will remain in contention for the FIFA World Cup championship.

Source: bbc.com