The groups stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup went favorably for the United States Men’s National Team and Mexico, as they both earned a group-winners draw and will stay on home soil for the beginning of the knockout round.
For the US, that means a match against a side it has never lost to, Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Mexico draws Ecuador, which could set up a potential round-of-16 showdown with England.
USMNT round of 32 opponent
The US has known for some time it will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. That match will be at 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT on July 1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The game will be televised on FOX and Telemundo.
USMNT round of 16 opponent
Should the United States Men’s National Team defeat Bosnia, it would play the winner of Belgium vs. a third-place team that will be determined on Saturday, June 27. The most likely team Belgium would play is South Korea, so the USMNT would be most likely to face the winner of Belgium-South Korea.
Next USA soccer match
Match: United States Men’s National Team Bosnia and Herzegovina
More: What’s next for USMNT and Mexico? Possibilities for rounds of 32, 16
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium (Bay Area Stadium) in Santa Clara, Calif.
Date: Wednesday, July 1
Kickoff time: 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT
Mexico round of 32 opponent
Mexico’s round of 32 opponent is Ecuador. El Tri will play Ecuador on Tuesday, June 30 at El Azteca in Mexico City with a 7 p.m. MT/8 p.m. CT start time.
Mexico round of 16 opponent
Should Mexico win its round of 32 match, it would play the winner of a match between the winner England (Group L winner) and a third-place team from groups I or K, most likely Senegal or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Senegal is more likely.
That round-of-16 match will be at 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT on July 5 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Next Mexico soccer match
Match: Mexico vs. Ecuador
Stadium: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) in Mexico City.
Date: Tuesday, June 30
Kickoff time: 7 p.m. MT/8 p.m. CT
Mexico bracket
Potential quarterfinal opponents for Mexico would be the winner of Brazil/Japan vs. the winner of Ivory Coast/Norway. That is set. That match is in Miami on July 11.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Who does Mexico play in the round of 32? Ecuador matchup nears
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
