The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have no host nation represented in the quarter-finals after the United States, Mexico and Canada were all knocked out in the Round of 16.
The United States became the last of the three co-hosts to exit the tournament after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in Seattle on Monday. Belgium’s convincing victory ended the Americans’ hopes of progressing on home soil.
Canada were the first co-hosts to bow out, losing 3-0 to Morocco on Saturday. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice before Soufiane Rahimi added a late goal to seal Morocco’s place in the last eight. Canada’s campaign was also affected by injury concerns involving star winger Alphonso Davies.
Mexico followed on Sunday with a 3-2 defeat to England at the Estadio Azteca in front of more than 80,000 supporters. Jude Bellingham struck twice within 98 seconds during the first half, while Harry Kane converted a penalty after England had been reduced to 10 men.
The defeat also ended Mexico’s bid to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since hosting the competition in 1986. Reports indicate that head coach Javier Aguirre is expected to be replaced by his assistant, Rafael Marquez.
The 2026 edition is the first FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by three countries and the first to feature an expanded 48-team format. The tournament, which began on June 11, is being played across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada before concluding with the final on July 19.
With all three hosts eliminated, the remaining quarter-finalists are Morocco, France, Norway, Spain, Belgium, England, Argentina, and the winner of the remaining Round of 16 ties.