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The round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup kicked off this evening at 7 pm with two standout matches on NFL pitches. Morocco, a veteran of the international stage, hosts Canada, the first North American team to dominate the world stage in decades, whilst Paraguay, the rising star from the Andes, faces an opponent yet to be determined in a match that promises to be tense. The defining feature of this historic tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, lies in its record-breaking format: 48 teams, 104 matches, and a knockout stage starting from the round of 16, where every second counts.
Morocco, which reached the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, comes into this stage with a wealth of experience. Its team, no stranger to international challenges, must give its all to progress against a Canada side in fine form. The Canadians, for their part, have never made it past the World Cup quarter-finals, making this match a real springboard for North American football in search of recognition. MetLife Stadium, built on the outskirts of New York, embodies this ambition: a symbolic venue where dreams of victory clash with the realities of competition.
Morocco, which reached the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, comes into this stage with a wealth of experience.
Paraguay, for its part, is attempting to revive its international career after years of absence from the knockout stages. Its sole World Cup title, won in Rio in 1950, remains a historic priority for a country where football is a national pillar. Facing an unpredictable opponent, the mercenary Aurélien Tchouaméni, nicknamed the ‘master of midfield’, is at the heart of the action. His status remains precarious due to a possible fitness issue, which puts his team in a tricky position: without their key player, their chances of progressing are significantly reduced.
These matches mark not only the culmination of a long qualifying process, but also the dawn of a new era in football. The United States, hosts of the 2026 World Cup, have opted to use multiple stadiums and spread the matches across the three host nations, creating a unique dynamic. Fans, dressed in a variety of colours, are flooding the streets to celebrate this unprecedented global event, where every match becomes a cultural spectacle.
Tonight’s results will determine the upcoming fixtures – will Europe and South America be knocked out by North America? The triumphs or setbacks of this first day of the round of 16 will reveal which teams remain in contention for the final, scheduled to take place in Toronto. In a tournament where every pass tells a life story, the Moroccans, Canadians and Paraguayans have a unique chance to become the heroes of a generation.