The 2026 World Cup has narrowed down to its top eight teams, with the quarterfinal pairings fully established after the conclusion of the round of 16 on Tuesday. Matches are slated to take place from Thursday, July 9, to Saturday, July 11, across venues in the United States. You can follow all the action with our comprehensive tournament coverage.
Historic Clash Kicks Off Quarterfinals
The opening match of the quarterfinals will feature France against Morocco on Thursday, July 9, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, near Boston. This matchup is a throwback to the memorable semifinal at Qatar 2022, where France triumphed 2-0. Coming off a dominant win over Canada, Morocco faces a French team that narrowly defeated Paraguay, aiming for their third consecutive World Cup final.
Spain and Belgium Ready for Thrilling Encounter
On Friday, July 10, Spain will face Belgium in what promises to be a scintillating match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Spain emerged victorious against Portugal with a last-minute goal by Merino, while Belgium dismantled the United States 4-1, highlighted by Charles De Ketelaere's standout performance.
Norway Faces England in Miami Showdown
The last two quarterfinal matches will be held on Saturday, July 11. Norway will go head-to-head with England at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Norway shocked the world by defeating Brazil with a brace from Erling Haaland in the closing minutes. Meanwhile, England secured their spot by edging out Mexico 3-2. This marks Norway's first appearance in the quarterfinals since the 1998 World Cup in France, 28 years ago.
Argentina Takes on Switzerland to Conclude the Quarterfinals
Wrapping up Saturday's action, Argentina and Switzerland will battle it out in the final quarterfinal match. The reigning world champions, Argentina, advanced by overcoming Egypt 3-2, with goals from Messi, Romero, and Enzo Fernández, marking their second consecutive comeback in the knockout stage. Switzerland reached this point after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Colombia, following a goalless 120 minutes at BC Place in Vancouver.
Lionel Messi currently leads the tournament's scoring chart with eight goals, closely followed by Mbappé and Haaland, each with seven, according to official competition records.
With these quarterfinals confirmed, the 2026 World Cup enters its critical phase: only four teams will emerge to vie for a place in the semifinals.
Key Questions about the 2026 World Cup Quarterfinals
When are the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals scheduled?
The quarterfinal matches are set to take place between July 9 and July 11, 2026.
Which teams will face each other in the quarterfinals?
The quarterfinal matchups include France vs. Morocco, Spain vs. Belgium, Norway vs. England, and Argentina vs. Switzerland.
Where will the quarterfinal matches be held?
The matches will take place at various locations in the United States, including Gillette Stadium, SoFi Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, and BC Place.