All three host nations reached the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup on day 21 after the United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina. England stayed in the bracket too, with Harry Kane scoring two goals against DR Congo and pushing the tournament toward its knockout-round shape.
United States, England, Belgium
Florian Balogun was sent off in the United States match, but the result still sent the hosts through. Belgium needed a comeback to join them, overturning a 2-0 deficit with four minutes to play against Senegal before taking the last 16 place against the United States.
England’s route was cleaner on the scoreline. Kane scored a brace, and the next match listed for England was Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. That keeps England in the same advancing pool as the United States and Belgium, with the knockout field tightening after day 21.
France, Brazil, Spain
France added a 3-0 win over Sweden to stay at the top end of the rankings. Kylian Mbappe had six goals in the tournament, Michael Olise had five assists and counting, and France were the highest-scoring team in the competition at that point.
The Athletic’s live projection tool had France at 29 per cent to win the World Cup. The holders won all three Group J matches to reach the knockout stages, while Lionel Messi was the tournament’s joint-top scorer with six goals entering the round of 32. The holders were set to play Cape Verde in the round of 32 and then Australia or Egypt in the round of 16.
Brazil also stayed on the move. They beat Scotland and Haiti, drew with Morocco, then used Gabriel Martinelli’s added-time winner against Japan after Casemiro had levelled and Bruno Guimaraes had supplied the assist. Brazil’s next opponent was Norway, and Spain topped their group after a draw with Cape Verde and back-to-back wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay after Lamine Yamal returned to the starting XI.
The picture now is simple: the hosts are still alive, the last 16 is taking shape, and the next set of knockout ties will decide whether that opening still holds for the United States, England, Belgium, France, Brazil, and Spain.
