FIFA confirms World Cup quarterfinals

FIFA’s 2026 World Cup quarterfinal field was set on Thursday, July 9, after the Round of 16 concluded and the final eight teams were confirmed. France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland remain in the tournament, according to FIFA’s match schedule and Yahoo Sports’ updated bracket. Yahoo Sports said the three co-hosts are all out of the tournament, with Canada eliminated by Morocco, Mexico beaten by England and the United States knocked out by Belgium. FIFA’s official schedule shows the tournament runs through the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (fifa.com) ### Which quarterfinal matchups are now locked in? France will play Morocco in one quarterfinal, while Spain will face Belgium in another, according to Yahoo Sports’ bracket published July 9. Norway will meet England, and Argentina will play Switzerland in the other two quarterfinals. (sports.yahoo.com) FIFA’s official fixtures page lists the quarterfinal stage as the next round in the 104-match tournament, which is being played across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The final eight emerged after a knockout phase that included Switzerland advancing past Colombia on penalties and Argentina beating Egypt 3-2. (sports.yahoo.com) ### When and where are the quarterfinals being played? Yahoo Sports listed France against Morocco at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts; Spain against Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California; Norway against England at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida; and Argentina against Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. (fifa.com) FIFA said in its December 2025 schedule release that all 104 match venues and kick-off times had been set for the tournament. That schedule framework now carries the World Cup into its last eight, with semifinal matches scheduled for Arlington, Texas, and Atlanta before the final in East Rutherford. (sports.yahoo.com) ### Which results sent these teams through? Morocco reached the quarterfinals by beating Canada 3-0, while France advanced with a 1-0 win over Paraguay, Yahoo Sports reported. Norway beat Brazil 2-1, and England defeated Mexico 3-2 to set up their meeting. (fifa.com) Spain moved on with a 1-0 victory over Portugal, and Belgium beat the United States 4-1. Argentina advanced by defeating Egypt 3-2, while Switzerland went through after a scoreless draw with Colombia and a 4-3 win in the penalty shootout. ### Which players are likely to draw the most attention? (sports.yahoo.com) BBC Sport and The Athletic, in stories highlighted in Thursday’s media coverage, pointed readers to quarterfinals featuring Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. Those names align with the surviving teams: Kane with England, Haaland with Norway, Mbappé with France and Messi with Argentina. (sports.yahoo.com) Yahoo Sports said only eight teams remain from the original 48-team field. The bracket now leaves three wins between any of the quarterfinalists and the trophy. ### What comes after the quarterfinals? Yahoo Sports listed the first semifinal for July 14 in Arlington between the winners of France-Morocco and Spain-Belgium. (sports.yahoo.com) The second semifinal is scheduled for July 15 in Atlanta between the winners of Norway-England and Argentina-Switzerland. (sports.yahoo.com) FIFA’s official tournament schedule shows the third-place match on July 18 in Miami Gardens and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. Those dates close the first 48-team men’s World Cup in FIFA history. (fifa.com) (sports.yahoo.com)