The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 begins this weekend. As of Match Day 24, the field of 48 teams has been halved. The official bracket is live, and the remaining nations are locked in.
Remaining Teams in the 2026 World Cup Bracket
The knockout stage features 16 teams. Below is the current list of countries still competing, sorted by their round of 16 matchups.
| Matchup (Round of 16) | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Canada | Morocco |
| Match 2 | Paraguay | France |
| Match 3 | Norway | Spain |
| Match 4 | Portugal | Eliminated (Spain vs Portugal result pending) |
| Match 5 | Cape Verde | TBD |
| Match 6 | U.S. | Eliminated (U.S. out of World Cup) |
Note: Data reflects reported matchups. Full bracket updates from FIFA are expected post-Round of 16.
Key Exits and Surprises
The U.S. national team is out. Spain eliminated Portugal, removing two traditional powers. Cape Verde overshadowed Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding news with their historic knockout stage debut.
Norway are now genuine contenders after a strong group stage, per The Athletic’s re-ranking of all 48 teams. The remaining 16 include heavyweights and minnows.
World Cup Teams by Region
A breakdown of the remaining countries by confederation.
| Confederation | Teams Remaining |
|---|---|
| UEFA (Europe) | France, Norway, Spain (pending result), Portugal (eliminated) |
| CONCACAF (North America) | Canada |
| CONMEBOL (South America) | Paraguay |
| CAF (Africa) | Morocco, Cape Verde |
| AFC (Asia) | None reported in remaining bracket |
| OFC (Oceania) | None |
The bracket is top-heavy with European sides, but Africa has two representatives for the first time in this stage. Canada is the lone CONCACAF survivor after the U.S. exit.
Market and Betting Context
Chris “The Bear” Fallica at FOX Sports published best bets for Match Day 24. His analysis focused on the Round of 16 volatility.
The knockout phase introduces single-elimination pressure. Betting lines shifted after Spain’s win over Portugal, reflecting a re-rating of Norway’s odds.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Which countries are still in the 2026 World Cup?
- A: The remaining 16 teams include Canada, Morocco, Paraguay, France, Norway, Spain, Cape Verde, and others, with matchups set for the Round of 16. Full bracket updates are expected from FIFA.
- Q: Why are the U.S. and Portugal out of the World Cup?
- A: The U.S. national team was eliminated in the group stage, and Portugal lost to Spain in the Round of 16, removing both from the bracket.
- Q: Which regions have teams left in the World Cup?
- A: UEFA leads with France, Norway, Spain; CONCACAF has Canada; CONMEBOL has Paraguay; CAF has Morocco and Cape Verde. AFC and OFC have no teams remaining.
Extended Reading
For full bracket updates and team rankings, see The Athletic’s re-ranking of the 48 World Cup teams after day 25. FOX Sports also provides live betting analysis and match previews for the Round of 16. The official FIFA World Cup bracket is available on their website.
