What is the round of 16 at the World Cup?

For the first time in the tournament's history, 48 nations are competing at the 2026 World Cup across 104 matches. The expanded format brings a new knockout round with it, and that changes what the round of 16 actually means.

Until this edition, the round of 16 was where knockout football began. Teams came out of the group stage and straight into a last-16 tie. That's no longer the case. Winning the group stage now puts you into a round of 32 first, and only the 16 survivors of that opening knockout round go any further. England will play co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16, and you can keep up to date with the Mexico vs England betting odds ahead of the clash.

How teams qualify for the round of 16

The 48 competing nations are split into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three group-stage matches. The top two from every group advance automatically, and the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also qualify, bringing the total to 32 teams for the first knockout round.

The round of 32 is where knockout football begins in earnest. Lose and you're out. Win and you're through to the round of 16 - the point at which exactly half the field has been eliminated.

What happens in a round of 16 match

Every match from here onwards is a single-leg knockout over 90 minutes. There are no second legs, no aggregate scores and no away goals.

If the match is level at full time, it goes to extra time. That's two periods of 15 minutes each, both played in full. There is no golden goal rule - scoring first in extra time doesn't end the match. Both halves run to their conclusion.

If scores are still level after those additional 30 minutes, a penalty shootout decides it. Five players from each side take spot-kicks alternately from the penalty spot. If it's tied after five each, it moves to sudden death, where one player per side goes at a time until the scores separate.

What comes next

Win in the round of 16 and the next stage is the quarter-finals. Eight teams are left at that point, and the format stays the same: 90 minutes, extra time if needed, then penalties.

The semi-finals follow, cutting the field to four, before the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the second World Cup final held in the United States.

England in the round of 16

England topped Group L on seven points, finishing ahead of Croatia to claim the group winners' berth. That earned them a round of 32 tie against DR Congo. Their impressive run so far has placed them among the favourites to lift the trophy, according to the UK football odds.

After their victory over DR Congo, their round of 16 opponents will be Mexico. The match is scheduled for July 6 at 1am BST at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the same ground where Diego Maradona scored the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Where to watch

All 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup are free to air in the UK, shared between BBC and ITV. England's round of 16 is on BBC One and available to watch live on BBC iPlayer.