The full fixtures and dates for the World Cup Round of 16 fixtures have been confirmed.

This follows the conclusion of the Round of 32 fixtures played today.

Recall that Argentina defeated Cape Verde 3-2 to progress to the Round of 32, while Colombia eliminated Ghana from the competition following a 1-0 win.

Argentina will now face Egypt in the last-16 on Tuesday, while Colombia will take on Switzerland.

Co-host nation Canada will tackle Morocco on Saturday.

2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 fixtures in full:

Saturday, July 4:

Canada vs Morocco

Paraguay vs France

Sunday, July 5:

Brazil vs Norway

Mexico vs England

Monday, July 6:

Portugal vs Spain

United States vs Belgium

Tuesday, July 7:

Argentina vs Egypt

Switzerland vs Colombia

By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja

As political alignments ahead of the 2027 general election continue to shift, renewed attention has turned to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following a series of legal and political developments. In June, the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, stunned sections of the opposition when it set aside its December 2025 judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party, although that decision has since been overturned on appeal.

The legal twists have revived questions first raised months ago about the forces behind the emerging party. They have also rekindled interest in an earlier Saturday Vanguard report, which quoted insider sources expressing fears that the NDC could face internal sabotage after the emergence of its eventual presidential candidate and alleging that some individuals associated with the project maintained close relationships with influential figures in the ruling establishment.

Those claims have not been independently verified. Even so, the developments have continued to fuel public debate over the independence of emerging opposition platforms and whether ‘fifth columnists’ could undermine efforts to build a formidable coalition ahead of 2027.

Below is what Saturday Vanguard published on 9 May under the headline, ‘

2027: Who owns NDC? Fear of  moles rocking party spreads.’

Fresh anxiety is quietly spreading within sections of the opposition coalition amid growing concerns that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) may already have individuals sympathetic to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, within its wider support network.

The unease emerged following the collapse of the ADC coalition arrangement involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, with some insiders warning that the NDC may not eventually become the independent opposition platform many supporters expect.

Multiple sources familiar with ongoing coalition discussions told Saturday Vanguard that some political actors had become increasingly cautious about the emerging Obi-Atiku split and the rush into the NDC platform.

One source said there were fears that influential figures linked to the party maintained close relationships with elements within the ruling establishment.

“We have to be very, very careful about this Obi-Atiku split because there’s a game being played by the APC that many people are not aware,” the source said.

“Even the NDC that they are running to. Do you know who owns the NDC? The man pulling the strings behind this thing is a former lawmaker who is a key member of the APC and enjoys access to the State House, Aso Villa.

“The close supporters of the NDC are the PDP-APC people. So we will see what will happen. It’s only a matter of time.”

The source added that the situation could become clearer once the ongoing round of party primaries and internal alignments are concluded later this month.

The allegations could not be independently verified as of press time, and no evidence has publicly emerged linking the NDC leadership to the APC or the Presidency.

However, another source involved in the wider opposition talks said the unease within some camps was being driven by fears that “moles” could eventually weaken efforts to build the NDC into a united opposition front ahead of 2027.

According to the source, the concern was less about the formal founders of the party and more about some influential supporters and political associates believed to have longstanding ties within the APC power structure. “The concern is not necessarily about the founders,” the source said.

“It is about some major supporters and people around the project who are believed to have sympathies or strong relationships within the Presidency and the APC establishment.”

The development comes as opposition leaders intensify talks and political realignments following recent defections and coalition negotiations involving key figures across several parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ahead of his historic address to the House of Lords in London on Friday,  Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has received a special recognition from the United States House of Representatives for his transformative leadership. 

Uzodimma, apart from the address at the House of Lords , would be receiving “African Inspirational Leadership and Good Governance Award” by the African Leadership Organization. 

Even before the event scheduled for Westminster,  the South Carolina House of Representatives moved a motion to recognise and commend Uzodimma for his transformative leadership guided by the strategic 3R agenda of rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery. 

The motion, moved by Representative Rosalyn D Henderson-Meyes, recognised the Imo State Governor for undertaking “ extensive investments in road infrastructure, urban renewal and digital transformation initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving public service delivery and creating an enabling environment for sustainable growth “

The South Carolina House of Representatives in the motion signed by the Speaker, G Murrel Smith Jr and the Clerk Charles F Reid ,also acknowledged Uzodimma as a widely respected leader known for his dedication to “ inclusive governance, infrastructure development, economic revitalization, and the long term prosperity of Imo State, reinforcing his standing as one of Nigeria’s leading sub-national reformers and development focused leaders “

It noted that the honour bestowed on only 40 Africans also took cognisance of the Governor’s focus on improving the ease of doing business through strategic reforms and investor friendly policies which has in turn enhanced the state’s attractiveness to both domestic and international investors. It specifically mentioned Uzodimma’s signature infrastructure projects to include the Assumpta Twin Flyover and the development of the Orashi Energy Free Trade Zone, which have made Imo State the key driver of regional national development. 

Receiving the award in London on behalf of the Governor,  the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, described it as a global acknowledgement of Uzodimma’s hard work and commitment to the overall development of the state. 

While commending the South Carolina House of Representatives for the honour, Emelumba said it would certainly spur the governor to do more not only for the state but Nigeria and the African continent.

The Commissioner noted that it was quite encouraging that notable global institutions have continued to acknowledge and appreciate Uzodimma as one of the very few sub-national leaders committed to transformative leadership in Africa.