The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals begin this week with eight teams remaining, as former champions and emerging contenders battle for four semifinal places.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters the quarterfinal stage this week with eight teams still in contention for football’s biggest prize, setting up four knockout matches that will determine the tournament’s semifinalists.
Former champions France, Spain, England and defending champions Argentina remain in the competition alongside Belgium, Morocco, Norway and Switzerland, with matches scheduled across the United States beginning on Thursday.
France will face Morocco in a repeat of their 2022 World Cup semifinal. Kylian Mbappé’s side has remained unbeaten during the tournament, while Morocco advanced after eliminating the Netherlands on penalties and will seek another historic semifinal appearance.
Spain meets Belgium in one of the standout quarterfinals. Spain has impressed with disciplined defending and a balanced attack led by rising star Lamine Yamal, while Belgium advanced with a convincing victory over the United States behind the experience of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
England will take on Norway in a meeting of Europe’s leading forwards, with Harry Kane facing Erling Haaland. England has progressed steadily through the tournament, while Norway has reached the last eight for the first time in decades after a series of disciplined performances.
Argentina will continue the defence of its World Cup title against Switzerland after staging dramatic comeback victories in the knockout rounds. Lionel Messi’s side will face a Swiss team that reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 after eliminating Colombia in a penalty shootout.
The winners will advance to the semifinals, leaving only four teams in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams and is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The remaining knockout matches, including the quarterfinals, semifinals and final, are being played in the United States.
Four former World Cup champions—Argentina, England, France and Spain—remain in contention, while Belgium, Morocco, Norway and Switzerland are seeking to reach the semifinals and continue their pursuit of a first World Cup title. The quarterfinals are expected to feature several of the tournament’s highest-profile players, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
