World Cup 2026: England set up Mexico City last-16 showdown with co-hosts

England will face co-hosts Mexico in the last 16 of the World Cup after Harry Kane’s late brace saw off a stubborn DR Congo, while the round of 32 delivered shocks for Germany and the Netherlands.

Gareth Southgate’s side needed Kane’s intervention to overcome a scare against DR Congo, eventually winning 2-1 to book their place in the knockout stages proper. They now travel to Mexico City to take on the hosts, who eased into the last 16 by beating Ecuador 2-0 – their first victory in a World Cup knockout match in 40 years.

Shocks for Germany and the Netherlands

The biggest upset of the tournament so far came as Germany suffered their first-ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat, going down 4-3 on spot-kicks to Paraguay after a 1-1 draw. It was a similarly cruel exit for the Netherlands, who were beaten 3-2 on penalties by 2022 semi-finalists Morocco after another 1-1 stalemate in Monterrey.

Morocco will now face co-hosts Canada in the last 16, with the North Americans having sealed their own historic first knockout win as Stephen Eustaquio’s stoppage-time strike beat South Africa 1-0 in Los Angeles.

Martinelli seals it for Brazil, France cruise past Sweden

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli struck a late winner as Brazil edged out Japan 2-1 in Houston in another dramatic tie, setting up a last-16 meeting with Norway. France, meanwhile, barely broke sweat in a comfortable 3-0 win over Sweden and will face Paraguay next.

All three co-hosts have now confirmed their place in the last 16 after the USA beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0, though they will be without striker Florian Balogun for their clash with Belgium after he was controversially sent off. Belgium reached the knockout stage by beating Senegal 3-2.

Elsewhere, Spain thrashed Austria 3-0 and Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1, setting up a mouth-watering last-16 clash between the two European heavyweights in Dallas. Switzerland saw off Algeria 2-0, while Australia and Egypt drew 1-1.

Last-16 fixture list

The last-16 draw is now taking shape, with matches running from 4 July to 7 July. Canada meet Morocco on 4 July, followed by Paraguay against France later the same day. Brazil face Norway on 5 July, before the headline tie sees England travel to face Mexico in the early hours of 6 July, with Spain against Portugal following that evening.

The USA meet Belgium on 7 July, with two further last-16 fixtures – involving the winners of matches 86 and 87 against Egypt and Switzerland respectively – completing the round. The quarter-finals then run from 9 to 12 July, with the semi-finals on 14 and 15 July, before the third-place play-off and final close out the tournament on 18 and 19 July.

Read more: England to get ‘ring of steel’ security in Mexico City after Ecuador sleep sabotage