The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began with 48 nations, has narrowed its field down to the final eight competitors. Following a knockout phase defined by intense penalty shootouts and unexpected upsets, the path to glory has become clear. Only three victories now stand between the remaining teams and the ultimate prize.
Quarterfinal Schedule
The stage is set for the quarterfinals, with four high-stakes matches scheduled to determine who advances to the semifinals:
- Thursday, July 9: France vs. Morocco (4 p.m. ET, Gillette Stadium)
- Friday, July 10: Spain vs. Belgium (3 p.m. ET, SoFi Stadium)
- Saturday, July 11: Norway vs. England (5 p.m. ET, Hard Rock Stadium)
- Saturday, July 11: Argentina vs. Switzerland (9 p.m. ET, Arrowhead Stadium)
The Path to the Final
The winners of the quarterfinal round will move on to the semifinals to determine the final two contenders for the trophy:
- Tuesday, July 14 (Semifinals): Winner of France/Morocco vs. Winner of Spain/Belgium (3 p.m. ET, AT&T Stadium)
- Wednesday, July 15 (Semifinals): Winner of Norway/England vs. Winner of Argentina/Switzerland (3 p.m. ET, Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
The tournament will conclude with the third-place match on Saturday, July 18, at Hard Rock Stadium, followed by the highly anticipated World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19, held at MetLife Stadium.
Round of 16 Highlights
The journey to the quarterfinals saw several competitive encounters. Notably, Morocco defeated Canada, France edged past Paraguay, and England secured a victory against Mexico. Norway moved forward by overcoming Brazil, while Spain defeated Portugal. Belgium’s victory over the USA and Argentina's win against Egypt were key turning points. Switzerland managed to advance past Colombia following a tense penalty shootout.