The race for the World Cup quarterfinals begins as the round of 16 gets underway. Canada meets Morocco in Houston, and France and star Kylian Mbappé face Paraguay in Philadelphia to cap the opening day.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi celebrates after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen (1) makes a save against Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi (9) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi (8) scores their second goal past Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (16) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi, right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side's 3rd goal against Canada during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi (8) celebrates after scoring second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith
Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi is thrown in the air by his teammates after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Canada in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Canada's Alistair Johnston, front, and Morocco's Bilal El Khannouss battle for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Canada's Tani Oluwaseyi (12) attempts a shot during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith
Canada's Alistair Johnston (2) goes for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Canada's Alistair Johnston, left, and Morocco's Bilal El Khannouss fight for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, right, and Canada's Tajon Buchanan fight for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Canada during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Morocco players celebrate after the first goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith
Fans watch the action during the first half of Canada's World Cup soccer match against Morocco at FIFA Fan Fest in Toronto on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)
Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi reacts during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi (8) scores their first goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Smith
A fan holds a flag of Morocco prior to the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Canada's Luc de Fougerolles, left, and Morocco's Redouane Halhal vie for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
