Sixteen teams remain in the FIFA World Cup, and each country has its own unique link to LAFC.
Here are the upcoming Round of 16 matchups in chronological order, with eight spots in the Quarterfinals on the line. All matches are broadcast on FOX/FS1 and Telemundo.
CANADA VS. MOROCCO
Saturday, July 4, 10:00 a.m. PT
CANADA 🇨🇦
FIFA ranking: 30
Path to Round of 16: 1-1 draw vs. Bosnia-Herz., 6-0 win vs. Qatar, 1-2 loss vs. Switzerland; 1-0 win vs. South Africa
LAFC connection: Winger Jacob Shaffelburg (above) and midfielder Mathieu Choinière are under currently contract with LAFC; midfielder Stephen Eustáquio has been on loan from FC Porto since February.
Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was LAFC’s starting goalie in its 2022 MLS Cup title season and made the game-saving play in extra time of the 2022 MLS Cup final, suffering an injury that cost him a chance to play in the 2022 World Cup. He has played every minute of Canada’s 2026 World Cup run.
MOROCCO 🇲🇦
FIFA ranking: 6
Path to Round of 16: 1-1 draw vs. Brazil; 1-0 win vs. Scotland; 4-2 win vs. Haiti; 1-1 draw vs. Netherlands (3-2 pens)
LAFC connection: LAFC midfielder Amin Boudri, a Swedish international born and raised near Stockholm, is the first player of Moroccan descent to play for the club.
LAFC forward Denis Bouanga stunned Morocco in November 2024 by scoring four minutes into Gabon’s AFCON qualifying match against the African giants, before Morocco found its footing and won 5-1.
FRANCE VS. PARAGUAY
Saturday, July 4, 2:00 p.m. PT
FRANCE 🇫🇷
FIFA ranking: 1
Path to Round of 16: 3-1 win vs. Senegal; 3-0 win vs. Iraq; 4-1 win vs. Norway; 3-0 win vs. Sweden
LAFC connection: LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris helped lead France to two consecutive World Cup finals, winning the 2018 World Cup and finishing second to Argentina in 2022. Lloris held the record for most appearances by a goalkeeper in FIFA World Cup history (20) before Germany’s Manuel Neuer surpassed him last month. Former LAFC striker Olivier Giroud was France’s all-time leading goal scorer (57 goals) before Kylian Mbappe surpassed him last month.
LAFC forward Jeremy Ebobisse was born in Paris.
PARAGUAY 🇵🇾
FIFA ranking: 34
Path to Round of 16: 1-4 loss to U.S.; 1-0 win vs. Türkiye; 0-0 draw vs. Australia; 1-1 draw vs. Germany (4-3 pens)
LAFC connection: Paraguay’s roster features four MLS midfielders, including Miguel Almirón and Matías Galarza of Atlanta United, and Braian Ojeda of Orlando City. Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas has faced LAFC 13 times in his MLS career.
Los Angeles hosted Paraguay’s first World Cup match of 2026, a 4-1 defeat to the United States in front of more than 70,000 fans on June 12.
BRAZIL VS. NORWAY
Sunday, July 5, 1:00 p.m. PT
BRAZIL 🇧🇷
FIFA ranking: 5
Path to Round of 16: 1-1 draw vs. Morocco; 3-0 win vs. Haiti; 3-0 win vs. Scotland; 2-1 win vs. Japan
LAFC connection: Brazilian players have scored two of the biggest goals in LAFC history. Current LAFC midfielder Igor Jesus is from Goiânia, Brazil, played for Brazilian titans Flamengo, and was part of the Brazil U-23 team that won gold at the 2023 Pan-Am Games. His late headed equalizer against Club América in May 2025 enabled LAFC’s first berth in the FIFA Club World Cup. Brazilian centerback Marlon headed home late against San Jose on Decision Day 2024 to give LAFC a first-place finish in the Western Conference.
LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos has coached at FC Primeira Camisa (U-20) and SE Palmeiras (U-15) in Brazil. Current Brazilian National Team defender Danilo faced LAFC as a member of Flamengo during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Another defender on Brazil’s current World Cup squad, Leo Pereira, was also on that Flamengo side but did not play against LAFC in last year’s 1-1 draw.
NORWAY 🇳🇴
FIFA ranking: 21
Path to Round of 16: 4-1 win vs. Iraq; 3-2 win vs. Senegal; 1-4 loss vs. France; 2-1 win vs. Côte d’Ivoire
LAFC connection: Last season the Black & Gold added midfielder Odin Thiago Holm on loan from Scottish Premier League club Celtic F.C. A native of Trondheim, Norway, Holm debuted at age 15 in the Norwegian first division and appeared for Norway's national team at every age level from U-15 to U-21. He is currently with Vålerenga in his home country.
MEXICO VS. ENGLAND
Sunday, July 5, 5:00 p.m. PT
MEXICO 🇲🇽
FIFA ranking: 10
Path to Round of 16: 2-0 win vs. South Africa; 1-0 win vs. South Korea; 3-0 win vs. Czechia; 2-0 win vs. Ecuador
LAFC connection: LAFC’s first Designated Player, Mexican star Carlos Vela (above), joined LAFC in 2017 and went on to become the most decorated player in club history. The Black & Gold’s longtime captain earned the 2019 MLS MVP and Golden Boot awards and became the Black & Gold’s all-time leading goal scorer and assist provider before retiring in 2024 and becoming its first Club Ambassador, and earlier this year, an owner. Vela scored 19 goals in 72 appearances for Mexico and starred for El Tri at the 2010 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.
Modern-day Los Angeles used to be in Mexico, and Mexican fans and culture have profoundly influenced the identity of LAFC since its founding in 2014. Mexican-American supporters comprise a vast percentage of the club's local fanbase, including The 3252 Supporters Union.
ENGLAND 🏴
FIFA ranking: 4
Path to Round of 16: 4-2 win vs. Croatia; 0-0 draw vs. Ghana; 2-0 win vs. Panama; 2-1 win vs. DR Congo
LAFC connection: Three English players have worn the Black & Gold: midfielder Lewis O’Brien (2024), goalkeeper Jamal Blackman (2021), and legendary forward Bradley Wright-Phillips (2020).
Current England player Reece James played against LAFC in the FIFA Club World Cup last year, for Chelsea.
In 1997, John Thorrington (who would go on to become LAFC’s Co-President and GM) made history as the youngest American player to ever sign with an English Premier League club when he joined Manchester United at age 17.
SPAIN VS. PORTUGAL
Monday, July 6, 12:00 p.m. PT
SPAIN 🇪🇸
FIFA ranking: 3
Path to Round of 16: 0-0 draw vs. Cabo Verde; 4-0 win vs. Saudi Arabia; 1-0 win vs. Uruguay; 3-0 win vs. Austria
LAFC connection: Current LAFC defender Sergi Palencia (above) is a native of Badalona, Spain, and spent more than a decade at FC Barcelona. Former LAFC captain Ilie Sánchez is from Barcelona and, like Palencia, was developed at Barça’s famed La Masia Academy. Sánchez and forward Christian Tello (veteran of La Liga and Spain’s national team) were members of LAFC's 2022 MLS Cup championship team.
LAFC Academy Director Toni Hernandez is from Valencia, Spain, and joined the Black & Gold in 2025 after spending nearly four years running Barcelona FC’s academy.
PORTUGAL 🇵🇹
FIFA ranking: 7
Path to Round of 16: 1-1 draw vs. DR Congo; 5-0 win vs. Uzbekistan; 0-0 draw vs. Colombia; 2-1 win vs. Croatia
LAFC connection: Stephen Eustáquio (see Canada, above) moved to Portugal at age 7 and has spent most of his club career in Portugal. Former LAFC Designated Player Andre Horta is Portuguese and currently plays for Primeira Liga club Braga. LAFC midfielder Igor Jesus was acquired from Portuguese Primeira Liga club Estrela da Amadora. LAFC forward Tyler Boyd played professionally in Portugal. LAFC assistant coach Xavier Tamarit completed postgraduate studies at the University of Porto.
UNITED STATES VS. BELGIUM
Monday, July 6, 5:00 p.m. PT
UNITED STATES 🇺🇸
FIFA ranking: 16
Path to Round of 16: 4-1 win vs. Paraguay; 2-0 win vs. Australia; 2-3 loss to Türkiye; 2-0 win vs. Bosnia-Herz.
LAFC connection: Current USMNT midfielder Malik Tillman (above L) is the younger brother of LAFC midfielder Timmy Tillman, who played for USMNT in 2024 and 2025. Malik has played 266 minutes for the Americans in this World Cup. His second-half free-kick goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina sealed the U.S.’s 2-0 win in the Round of 32.
LAFC’s first coach, Bob Bradley, coached USMNT from 2006 to 2011. LAFC’s second head coach Steve Cherundolo earned 87 caps as a right back for USMNT between 1999 and 2012 and has since joined Bradley in the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame. Thorrington earned four caps for the USMNT.
Current LAFC players who have been capped by the United States include Aaron Long, Mark Delgado, Tyler Boyd, Jeremy Ebobisse, and Timmy Tillman.
BELGIUM 🇧🇪
FIFA ranking: 9
Path to Round of 16: 1-1 draw vs. Egypt; 0-0 draw vs. Iran; 5-1 win vs. New Zealand; 3-2 win vs. Senegal (AET)
LAFC connection: Former LAFC defender Laurent Ciman (now retired) played for Belgium and scored the first home goal in LAFC history, the matchwinner in a 1-0 win over Seattle in the Black & Gold’s LA debut in 2018. Ciman competed for Belgium at the 2008 Olympics, was named to Belgium's squad for the 2014 World Cup, and was an alternate for Belgium’s 2018 World Cup squad.
Lloris played under current Belgium manager Rudi Garcia from 2010 to 2012 when Lloris played for Olympique Lyonnais in France.
Los Angeles hosted Belgium’s 0-0 draw against Iran on June 21.
ARGENTINA VS. EGYPT
Tuesday, July 7, 9:00 a.m. PT
ARGENTINA 🇦🇷
FIFA ranking: 2
Path to Round of 16: 3-0 win vs. Algeria; 2-0 win vs. Austria; 3-1 win vs. Jordan; 3-2 win vs. Cabo Verde (AET)
LAFC connection: LAFC has competed against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami four times since Argentina’s captain joined MLS in 2023, with a 2W-0D-2L record in those matches.
Argentinian defender Franco Escobar was a member of LAFC's 2022 MLS Cup championship team. Current LAFC Homegrown midfielder Jude Terry has Argentine ancestry and enjoys watching Argentina national team stars Messi and Enzo Fernandez (who scored against LAFC for Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025).
EGYPT 🇪🇬
FIFA ranking: 24
Path to Round of 16: 1-1 draw vs. Belgium; 3-1 win vs. New Zealand; 1-1 draw vs. Iran; 1-1 draw vs. Australia (4-2 pens)
LAFC connection: Egyptian defender-midfielder Omar Gaber joined LAFC on loan (from FC Basel of Switzerland) for the club’s inaugural 2018 season. The only Egyptian player to have appeared for LAFC’s first team to date, Gaber helped Egypt qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Bob Bradley (see U.S., above) managed the Egyptian national team from 2011 to 2013, where he met and mentored Gaber.
SWITZERLAND VS. COLOMBIA
Tuesday, July 7, 1:00 p.m. PT
COLOMBIA 🇨🇴
FIFA ranking: 11
Path to Round of 16: 3-1 win vs. Uzbekistan; 1-0 win vs. DR Congo; 0-0 draw vs. Portugal; 1-0 win vs. Ghana
LAFC connection: Colombian talent has fortified LAFC’s rosters since the club’s first season. Midfielder Eduard Atuesta (above left) was an LAFC Original on that 2018 debut side, and was named to the MLS Best XI in 2019. That year defender Eddie Segura (above right) joined LAFC and is currently LAFC’s longest-tenured player and has played more minutes than anyone in club history. Segura and defender Jesus Murillo were on LAFC’s 2022 MLS Cup championship team, as was striker Cristian “Chicho” Arango, who scored 30 regular-season goals in Black & Gold and won the MLS Newcomer of the Year award in 2021.
SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭
FIFA ranking: 15
Path to Round of 16: 1-1 draw vs. Qatar; 4-1 win vs. Bosnia-Herz.; 2-1 win vs. Canada; 2-0 win vs. Algeria
LAFC connection: In 2024, LAFC acquired a majority stake of Swiss side Grasshopper Club Zurich before transferring that stake to another ownership group earlier this week. LAFC midfielder Mathieu Choinière played for Grasshopper before joining LAFC on loan last season (2025) and eventually signing long-term. Former LAFC forward Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, who scored two goals in six appearances in 2022, was born in Bern, Switzerland.
UPCOMING EVENTS & WATCH PARTIES
Join the LAFC community and supporters from around the world at these gatherings, featuring live broadcasts of FIFA World Cup matches:
JULY 6
USA VS. BELGIUM WATCH PARTY
SANTA MONICA BREW WORKS
1920 COLORADO AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA 90404
JULY 11
VENICE BEACH FIFA FAN ZONE
1 WINDWARD AVE., LA, CA 90291
- two Quarterfinal matches
JULY 14
WEST HARBOR FIFA FAN ZONE
1332 S. HARBOR BLVD., LA, CA 90291
- two Semifinal matches
JULY 18
WEST HARBOR FIFA FAN ZONE
1332 S. HARBOR BLVD., LA, CA 90291
- third-place match
LAFC will be back in action on Friday, July 17, when the Black & Gold travels to Carson to face the Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. PT. All MLS matches are broadcast on Apple TV.
