The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached a pivotal moment as the tournament narrows from 48 nations to the final eight contenders. Over two weeks of intense knockout matches, 40 teams have been eliminated, setting the stage for a thrilling quarterfinal round filled with both established powerhouses and surprising underdogs.
The round-of-16 was marked by dramatic upsets and tactical brilliance. Defending champions Argentina survived a five-goal thriller against Egypt, while Switzerland advanced after a tense penalty shootout against Colombia. Norway stunned the football world by eliminating Brazil, one of the tournament favorites.
The eight quarterfinalists earned their spots through hard-fought victories: Morocco convincingly defeated Canada 3-0; France edged Paraguay 1-0; Norway pulled off a stunning 2-1 win over Brazil; England triumphed 3-2 against co-host Mexico; Spain narrowly beat Portugal 1-0; Belgium dominated the USA 4-1; Argentina overcame Egypt 3-2; and Switzerland advanced past Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a draw.
The quarterfinal matches are scheduled to take place across the United States from Thursday, July 9, to Saturday, July 11. The fixtures are as follows: France vs. Morocco on July 9 at 4pm (20 GMT) in Boston, where Kylian Mbappe will test Morocco’s disciplined defense and swift counterattacks. Spain faces Belgium on July 10 at 12pm (19:00 GMT) in Los Angeles, pitting Spain’s tactical cohesion against Belgium’s high-scoring confidence.
On July 11, Norway meets England at 5pm (21:00 GMT) in Miami, with Erling Haaland’s exceptional form challenging England’s experienced lineup led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Later that evening, Argentina confronts Switzerland at 8pm (01:00 GMT Sunday) in Kansas City, as Lionel Messi aims to continue his quest for a second consecutive World Cup title against a resilient Swiss squad seeking another upset.
Fans worldwide can follow the action through various broadcasters and streaming platforms. In the United States, English coverage is available on Fox and FS1, with streaming via the Fox Sports app and Fox One. Spanish-language viewers can watch on Telemundo and Universo, with Peacock offering streaming options. Cord-cutters can access the matches through services carrying Fox/FS1, including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream.
In Canada, TSN is the primary English-language broadcaster, with select key matches airing on CTV. French-language coverage and analysis are provided by RDS and RDS2. With only three victories separating these teams from World Cup glory, the quarterfinals promise a weekend filled with intense, high-stakes football as the race for the 2026 title intensifies.
