World Cup Round of 16 Schedule: Brazil Faces Norway, England Takes on Host Mexico

The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 intensifies on Monday with two highly anticipated matches: Brazil against Norway and host nation Mexico facing England. The first clash pits five-time champions Brazil against Norway at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, kicking off at 03:00 WIB. This match presents a significant opportunity for Brazil to break a historical pattern, as they have never defeated Norway in their four previous meetings, suffering two losses and two draws. A particularly memorable defeat occurred during the 1998 World Cup group stage when Norway secured a 2-1 victory.

Despite the historical disadvantage, Brazil enters the match with strong confidence following their 2-1 win over Japan in the previous round. Coach Carlo Ancelotti's squad has displayed an increasingly solid defense, conceding only two goals since the group stage. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior remains a key offensive threat, supported by the midfield creativity of Bruno Guimaraes and the experience of Casemiro. Brazil also receives a boost with the potential return of Neymar from injury and Raphinha's return to training.

However, Norway poses a formidable challenge. The team made history by reaching the knockout stage and defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in their Round of 32 match. Their primary threat comes from striker Erling Haaland, who has scored five goals in the tournament, complemented by Martin Odegaard's playmaking abilities, making Norway a dangerous counter-attacking side.

Four hours later, at 07:00 WIB, Mexico will host England at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. This match is expected to be a stern test for England, who must contend with the significant challenge of playing at an altitude of approximately 2,240 meters above sea level. England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, acknowledged that adapting to the altitude within a short timeframe is nearly impossible for his players. Nevertheless, Tuchel affirmed his team's readiness to face all obstacles, including the intimidating atmosphere of the Azteca Stadium.

England arrives with momentum after a comeback 2-1 victory against DR Congo, powered by two goals from captain Harry Kane, who now has five goals in the 2026 World Cup. Mexico, on the other hand, benefits from playing at home, having already competed in three of their four tournament matches at the Azteca, giving them an advantage in understanding the pitch and atmospheric conditions. The winner of the Mexico-England tie will advance to face the victor of the Brazil-Norway game in the quarterfinals.