World Cup quarterfinals begin with France-Morocco

France and Morocco open the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday, July 9, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. ET at Boston Stadium, according to FIFA’s match center and tournament schedule. The game is the first of four quarterfinals running from July 9 to July 11 across the United States. Eight teams remain in the tournament: France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland. ### Which match starts the quarterfinal round? FIFA lists France v Morocco as Match 97 of the tournament, scheduled for July 9 in Boston. FIFA’s preview says France reached the last eight after moving through Group I with three wins and then beating Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16, while Morocco advanced after a 3-0 win over Canada. Yahoo Sports also reported there were no games on Wednesday, July 8, and that France-Morocco would start the quarterfinal slate on Thursday. (fifa.com) NBC Sports’ bracket page lists the same matchup as the opener of the round. ### Who is still alive in the tournament? The quarterfinal field is France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland, according to NBC Sports and Olympics.com. (fifa.com) That group includes several of the tournament’s biggest names, with BBC Sport highlighting Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé as central figures in the round. (nbcsports.com) Sky Sports’ Golden Boot tracker said earlier this week that Lionel Messi had eight goals, while Mbappé and Haaland had seven and Kane had six. Those numbers add another subplot to the last eight as the knockout stage continues. ### What are the other quarterfinal matchups? NBC Sports lists Spain v Belgium for Friday, July 10, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, followed by Norway v England on Saturday, July 11, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. (nbcsports.com) The final quarterfinal is Argentina v Switzerland later on July 11 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, according to NBC’s full schedule. (skysports.com) FIFA’s fixtures page and Olympics.com both show the quarterfinal round running from July 9 through July 11. The winners will advance to the semifinals, cutting the field from eight to four. ### Why is France-Morocco drawing extra attention? FIFA’s preview frames the game against the backdrop of Morocco’s 2022 run, when Morocco became the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal before losing to France. (nbcsports.com) The Athletic’s quarterfinal watch guide also described Thursday’s game as a rematch that should draw broad interest from U.S. viewers. (fifa.com) France arrive with one of the cleaner records left in the field. Yahoo’s live bracket page said France is the only team in the tournament to have won all five of its matches without needing extra time. ### What comes after this round? NBC Sports lists the first semifinal for Tuesday, July 14, at AT&T Stadium in Dallas between the winners of France-Morocco and Spain-Belgium. (fifa.com) The second semifinal is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta between the winners of Norway-England and Argentina-Switzerland. The third-place game is set for Saturday, July 18, in Miami, and FIFA’s tournament page shows the final on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. (uk.sports.yahoo.com) (nbcsports.com)