The Short Version
July 3 all but completed the round of 32 — and it delivered a last-16 tie for the ages. Egypt knocked out Australia on penalties, winning the shootout 4-2 after a 1-1 draw at AT&T Stadium, a result that ends Asia’s involvement in the tournament: Australia were the Asian Football Confederation’s last team standing. Argentina survived a real scare from Cabo Verde, edging the debutants 3-2 at Hard Rock Stadium, and Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 at BC Place. Because both Argentina and Egypt went through, the last 16 now has its headline act: Lionel Messi against Mohamed Salah on July 7.
The final full day of the round of 32 had a bit of everything: a penalty shootout that closed the book on Asia’s tournament, a holders’ scare against a fairytale, and a comfortable win that keeps a dark horse alive. And when the dust settled, the draw had gifted the last 16 a tie almost too good to script.
July 3 results at a glance
| Tie | Score | Venue | Through |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia vs Egypt | 1–1 (Egypt win 4–2 pens) | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | Egypt |
| Argentina vs Cabo Verde | 3–2 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | Argentina |
| Switzerland vs Algeria | 2–0 | BC Place, Vancouver | Switzerland |
Three ties, three wins for the seeded side — but two of them were anything but routine, and one of them carried a continent’s hopes to their end.
Egypt end Australia — and Asia’s run
Egypt beat Australia on penalties to reach the last 16, winning the shootout 4-2 after the tie finished 1-1 through normal and extra time at AT&T Stadium. It was the outcome our preview had leaned toward — a tight, low-margin contest settled from twelve yards — and it carried the exact stakes that preview flagged.
Australia had arrived as the last team from the Asian Football Confederation still standing, an Oceanian nation carrying a continent it joined by convenience. With their exit, Asia’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup is over: no AFC side remains. For Egypt and Mohamed Salah, the reward is a place in the last 16 — and a meeting that will define their tournament, as the result confirmed.
Argentina survive the Cabo Verde fairytale
The holders were made to earn it. Argentina beat Cabo Verde 3-2 at Hard Rock Stadium in the tie our preview framed as “Holders vs Fairytale”, and the fairytale refused to go quietly. The tournament debutants pushed Lionel Messi’s side all the way, twice getting to within a goal, before Argentina’s greater quality saw them home.
It is the kind of scare that champions often need early, and Argentina will take the win and the lesson. Cabo Verde leave with enormous credit, having turned their first World Cup into a run that had the holders sweating. The day’s other tie was more comfortable: Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 at BC Place, as the day’s coverage showed, to move into the last 16 as one of the quieter contenders still in the field.
Messi vs Salah, and the last 16 in full
Because Argentina and Egypt both won, the last 16 has its marquee tie: Argentina vs Egypt on July 7 — Lionel Messi against Mohamed Salah, two of the era’s greatest, in a straight knockout. Here is the round-of-16 picture:
| Round-of-16 tie | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Canada vs Morocco | July 4 | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Paraguay vs France | July 4 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| Brazil vs Norway | July 5 | MetLife Stadium |
| Portugal vs Spain | July 6 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| USA vs Belgium | July 7 | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| Argentina vs Egypt | July 7 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
One round-of-32 tie remains — Colombia vs Ghana on July 4 — which will complete the bracket and settle the last two round-of-16 pairings, including the opponents for England and Switzerland, with the draw nearly set.
Frequently asked questions
What were the July 3 World Cup results? Egypt drew 1-1 with Australia and won the penalty shootout 4-2; Argentina beat Cabo Verde 3-2; and Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0. Egypt, Argentina and Switzerland all reached the last 16.
How did Egypt beat Australia? Egypt held Australia to a 1-1 draw over ninety minutes and extra time at AT&T Stadium, then won the penalty shootout 4-2 to reach the last 16.
Is Asia out of the 2026 World Cup? Yes. Australia were the last Asian Football Confederation side in the tournament, and their exit to Egypt means no AFC team remains in the 2026 World Cup.
What was the Argentina vs Cabo Verde score? Argentina beat Cabo Verde 3-2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, surviving a strong challenge from the tournament debutants to reach the last 16.
When is Messi vs Salah? Argentina and Egypt meet in the last 16 on July 7, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — a tie featuring Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah.
Which teams were eliminated on July 3? Australia, Cabo Verde and Algeria were all knocked out of the round of 32.
What was the Switzerland vs Algeria score? Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 at BC Place in Vancouver to reach the last 16.
Is the round of 32 finished? Almost. One tie remains — Colombia vs Ghana on July 4 — which will complete the round of 32 and set the final round-of-16 pairings.
