By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
England, Belgium and the United States booked their places in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday after emerging victorious in three entertaining Round of 32 encounters that further underlined the fierce competition in the expanded tournament.
England overcame a spirited challenge from DR Congo to record a hard-fought 2-1 victory, keeping alive their ambition of lifting a second FIFA World Cup title. The Three Lions showed composure in crucial moments, surviving late pressure from the African side to progress to the next stage.
Belgium also advanced after edging Senegal 3-2 in one of the most thrilling contests of the knockout round so far. The five-goal encounter produced end-to-end football, with Belgium’s clinical finishing proving decisive against a determined Senegalese side that fought until the final whistle but could not force extra time.
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The United States completed the day’s action with a disciplined 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Americans combined defensive solidity with clinical attacking play to secure a comfortable win and continue their impressive campaign on home soil.
The three victories completed another dramatic day in the knockout phase of the tournament, where every match carries the weight of elimination and every mistake can prove costly.
England will now face Mexico in a mouthwatering Round of 16 fixture, while the United States will take on Belgium in an all-important clash with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
The Merit Newspaper acknowledges that the results also reinforced the growing competitiveness of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Since the knockout stage began, fans have witnessed several high-quality contests, surprise eliminations and closely fought encounters, reflecting the depth of talent across world football.
With the race for the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy gathering momentum, attention now shifts to the remaining Round of 32 fixtures, where Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Algeria, Australia, Egypt, Argentina, Cape Verde, Colombia and Ghana will battle for the final places in the Round of 16.
As the tournament enters its decisive stages, every match promises drama, intensity and the possibility of more memorable moments in what is already shaping up to be one of the most captivating FIFA World Cups in history.
