World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals: Then There Were Eight. Who Can Win It?
Forty teams went home in the group stage. Twenty-four more fell in the Round of 32 and Round of 16. Now eight remain, and the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals begin tomorrow. No Brazil. No Mexico. No Portugal. No host nation United States. What is left is arguably the most compelling last eight in World Cup history, Messi still alive after one of the greatest comebacks ever, Haaland having just ended Brazil’s run, and France and Morocco set to replay their 2022 semi-final one round earlier. This is where the tournament really starts.
Round of 16 Results: How We Got Here
Before looking ahead, here is how every Round of 16 match finished. Notably, some of these results will be talked about for years.
Match | Result | Key Moment |
Morocco vs Canada | Morocco 3-0 | Ounahi masterclass |
France vs Paraguay | France 1-0 | Mbappe penalty, 70′ |
Norway vs Brazil | Norway 2-1 | Haaland brace ends Brazil’s World Cup |
England vs Mexico | England 3-2 | Bellingham double at the Azteca |
Spain vs Portugal | Spain 1-0 | Merino 90+1, Ronaldo’s last World Cup over |
Belgium vs USA | Belgium 4-1 | De Ketelaere runs the show |
Argentina vs Egypt | Argentina 3-2 | Three goals in 13 minutes, Messi 83′ |
Switzerland vs Colombia | Switzerland 4-3 pens | Vargas buries the decisive kick |
The Argentina Comeback That Nobody Saw Coming
This needs its own section. Argentina entered the 79th minute trailing Egypt 2-0. The reigning World Cup champions looked finished. Then Cristian Romero scored in the 79th minute. Messi made up for a first-half penalty miss by equalising in the 83rd. Enzo Fernandez headed home the winner in the 92nd minute. Three goals in thirteen minutes. Messi was in tears at the final whistle, and so were millions watching around the world.
“We never gave up,” Messi said afterwards. “This group never gives up.” He now has eight goals in this tournament, leading the Golden Boot race and breaking his own World Cup record with 21 goals across six tournaments.
World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Schedule: Full Fixtures
Match | Date | Venue | Time (PKT) |
France vs Morocco | July 9 (Thu) | Gillette Stadium, Boston | 1:00 AM |
Spain vs Belgium | July 10 (Fri) | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 12:00 AM |
Norway vs England | July 11 (Sat) | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | 2:00 AM |
Argentina vs Switzerland | July 11 (Sat) | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City | 6:00 AM |
All four World Cup 2026 quarterfinal matches are played in the United States. The winners advance to the semi-finals on July 14 and 15, with the Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
World Cup 2026 Bracket: Path to the Final
Semi Final | Date | Venue | Teams |
Semi Final 1 | July 14 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | France/Morocco vs Spain/Belgium |
Semi Final 2 | July 15 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | Norway/England vs Argentina/Switzerland |
Third Place | July 18 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | Semi Final losers |
Final | July 19 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey | Semi Final winners |
The Four Matches: What to Expect
France vs Morocco (July 9, Boston)
This is a 2022 World Cup semi-final rematch. Morocco shocked the world two years ago and went further than any African nation in history. Now they face the same opponent one round earlier. France looks like the tournament favorites, with Mbappe in excellent form and a defense that has conceded just twice in five matches. However, Morocco showed against Canada that they are no surprise package anymore. Furthermore, they are a genuine threat going into this quarterfinal.
Spain vs Belgium (July 10, Los Angeles)
Spain has been the most complete team of the tournament. Lamine Yamal has been electric, and their 1-0 win over Portugal was disciplined and controlled. Belgium, meanwhile, were ruthless against the USA, with De Ketelaere scoring twice. Consequently, this match is harder to call than it looks.
Norway vs England (July 11, Miami)
Norway eliminated Brazil. England eliminated Mexico at the Azteca. Erling Haaland has five goals in the tournament. Harry Kane has four. Therefore, whoever wins this World Cup 2026 quarterfinal match becomes an immediate semifinal favorite. This is the standout fixture of the round.
Argentina vs Switzerland (July 11, Kansas City)
Messi and Argentina are alive on adrenaline and belief. Switzerland reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 by beating Colombia on penalties. On paper, Argentina are the heavier favorites. Nevertheless, given what happened against Egypt, nobody is writing off anyone at this stage of the World Cup 2026 bracket.
Who Can Actually Win This World Cup?
Four teams stand out as genuine title contenders heading into the quarterfinals.
France are the most balanced. Deep squad, in-form striker, solid defence.
Argentina have Messi. And right now, Messi looks like a man who knows this is his last shot and is refusing to let it end.
Norway have Haaland, who has already knocked out Brazil. Nobody wanted to face them in the Round of 16 and nobody wants to face them now.
Spain have played the best collective football in the tournament. They do not rely on one superstar, which makes them uniquely difficult to stop.
For the full tournament background including group stage results and team guides, check our FIFA World Cup 2026 complete guide. For the story of how Ronaldo’s last World Cup ended in the Round of 16, read our Ronaldo World Cup 2026 blog.
Who do you think wins the 2026 World Cup from here? Pick your winner in the comments.
Last updated July 8, 2026 by the Chokus.pk sports desk, based on confirmed results from FIFA.com and ESPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which eight teams are in the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals?
France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland. All three co-hosts (USA, Mexico, Canada) were eliminated in the Round of 16.
When do the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals start?
The quarterfinals begin on July 9, 2026 with France vs Morocco in Boston, and conclude on July 11 with a double-header featuring Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland.
What was the Argentina vs Egypt result?
Argentina won 3-2 after trailing 2-0 with 13 minutes remaining. Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernandez all scored in the final 13 minutes.
Who has the most goals at World Cup 2026?
Lionel Messi leads with 8 goals, ahead of Erling Haaland with 5 and Harry Kane with 4.
When is the World Cup 2026 final?
The final takes place on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Is Messi still in the World Cup 2026?
Yes. Messi and Argentina are in the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals after their dramatic 3-2 comeback against Egypt. They face Switzerland on July 11.
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