All three 2026 World Cup hosts eliminated in Round of 16

Canada, the USA and Mexico have all crashed out in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16: for the first time, no host reaches the quarterfinals.

For the first time in history, the 2026 World Cup will crown a champion without any of its three host nations left in the tournament. Canada, the United States and Mexico — the three co-hosts — have all been knocked out in the Round of 16, an unprecedented outcome that already defines this edition. If you are looking for the story of the 2026 World Cup hosts eliminated, how the USA, Mexico and Canada crashed out, or what happened in the Round of 16, here is the full account of three home exits that nobody saw coming.

The dream of a World Cup staged across North America with at least one host reaching the quarterfinals evaporated in just over 48 hours. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, in three different stadiums, all three home sides said goodbye. The tournament rolls on, but it does so with a gap nobody had planned for: none of the three organizers will make the last eight.

Canada 0-3 Morocco: the first host to fall

On Saturday, July 4, in Houston, Canada became the first of the three hosts to bow out. Morocco were far superior and won 0-3 with authority. Azzedine Ounahi struck twice to all but settle the tie, and Soufiane Rahimi rounded off the rout with a third in stoppage time.

For the Canadians, hosting a World Cup finals for the first time, the defeat marked the end of an exciting run. Morocco, meanwhile, qualified for the quarterfinals looking hugely convincing, confirming their status as one of the standout teams of this tournament.

• A brace from Azzedine Ounahi that took control of the game.
• A third goal from Soufiane Rahimi in stoppage time.
• Morocco book their place in the quarterfinals.

United States 1-4 Belgium: routed in Seattle

On Monday, July 6, in Seattle, the United States endured their bitterest night. Belgium beat them comfortably 1-4. Charles De Ketelaere was the standout figure: he scored twice and set up another. Malik Tillman netted the only American goal, a direct free kick that briefly raised hopes.

But a mistake from goalkeeper Matt Freese gifted Belgium their third and effectively ended the contest. Deep in stoppage time, Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to add the fourth. The hosts, who had dreamed of a deep home run, went out in the Round of 16.

• A brace and an assist from Charles De Ketelaere.
• A direct free-kick goal from Malik Tillman for the USA.
• A Matt Freese error behind Belgium's third goal.
• Lukaku seals the 1-4 in stoppage time.

Mexico 2-3 England: goodbye at the Azteca

On Sunday, July 5, at the historic Estadio Azteca, Mexico put up a fight but fell 2-3 to England. Jude Bellingham was decisive with a quickfire brace that put England 2-0 up late in the first half. Julián Quiñones pulled one back to reignite home hopes.

Soon after, Harry Kane converted a penalty — awarded after Anthony Gordon was fouled — to make it 3-1. Raúl Jiménez still had time to score a penalty of his own for Mexico and add late drama, but there was no time for more. The Azteca waved goodbye to its team in the Round of 16.

A champion with no host: what it means for the 2026 World Cup

With all three eliminations confirmed, the 2026 World Cup will produce a champion without any of its organizers in the quarterfinals. It is an unprecedented situation: never before had every host nation been eliminated before the quarterfinals of a World Cup shared across multiple venues.

The quarterfinals will therefore be left to other protagonists. Among the teams already through are names such as Morocco, France, Norway, England, Spain and Belgium: a field of contenders that promises some blockbuster ties.

• Morocco, who knocked out Canada.
• Belgium, who eliminated the United States.
• England, who edged Mexico at the Azteca.
• France, Norway and Spain complete the field of contenders.

With the tournament entering its most decisive stage, it is the perfect moment to test your football instincts. If you want to enjoy the quarterfinals with an extra thrill, you can set up a prediction league with your friends and compete to guess who will lift the trophy in a World Cup that has already sent all its hosts home. No pressure — it is simply a fun way to share the football with the people you care about.