The FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals are set to begin as eight teams continue their pursuit of football’s biggest prize. Every match now carries even greater significance, with only four places available in the semi-finals.
France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland have all earned their place after surviving the Round of 16. Another victory will move them one step closer to the World Cup final.
Take a look at the qualified teams, the quarter-final schedule, the biggest matches, players to watch, and also how to watch the quarter-finals live.
Teams Qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals bring together eight teams after another thrilling knockout round. Every winner earned their place on merit.
Here’s how each nation reached the last eight and kept its dream of lifting the World Cup alive.
| Team | How They Qualified |
|---|---|
| Morocco | Defeated Canada 3-0 |
| France | Defeated Paraguay 1-0 |
| Norway | Defeated Brazil 2-1 |
| England | Defeated Mexico 3-2 |
| Spain | Defeated Portugal 1-0 |
| Belgium | Defeated the USA 4-1 |
| Argentina | Defeated Egypt 3-2 |
| Switzerland | Drew 0-0 with Colombia after extra time before winning 4-3 on penalties |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal Schedule
The race for the semi-finals begins with four knockout matches. Here’s the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal schedule.
| Date | Matchup | Time (IST / GMT) | Venue & Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 10 | France vs. Morocco | 1:30 AM / 8:00 PM (July 9) | Boston Stadium, Foxborough |
| July 11 | Spain vs. Belgium | 12:30 AM / 7:00 PM (July 10) | Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood |
| July 12 | Norway vs. England | 2:30 AM / 9:00 PM (July 11) | Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens |
| July 12 | Argentina vs. Switzerland | 6:30 AM / 1:00 AM (July 12) | Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City |
Note: Times in parentheses indicate when the kickoff falls on a different calendar day in GMT due to the time difference.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal Match Previews
Each FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final brings a different challenge as the top eight teams compete for a place in the semi-finals. Here’s what makes every fixture worth watching
France vs. Morocco
This quarter-final clash brings back one of the biggest matches from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
A place in the semi-finals is once again on the line as France and Morocco meet after impressive Round of 16 performances.
France booked its place with a 1-0 win over Paraguay through Kylian Mbappé’s penalty. Meanwhile, Morocco cruised past co-hosts Canada 3-0 to continue another memorable World Cup campaign.
A fourth straight World Cup semi-final now awaits France with another victory. Morocco, however, has the chance to avenge its 2022 semi-final defeat and prove its remarkable run was no one-off.
Mbappé will again lead the French attack, and another goal would move him closer to Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record.
Meanwhile, Achraf Hakimi faces the difficult task of stopping his Paris Saint-Germain teammate in one of the quarter-final’s biggest individual battles.
Morocco also carries another major threat in Azzedine Ounahi. After scoring two goals against Canada, the midfielder enters the match in outstanding form, and his battle in midfield could shape the game’s tempo.
Norway vs. England
England and Norway arrive in the quarter-finals after impressive Round of 16 victories. A place in the semi-finals now awaits, with two teams taking very different paths to reach this stage.
England defeated co-hosts Mexico 3-2 despite playing much of the match with ten men after an early red card.
Norway, meanwhile, stunned five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to continue one of the tournament’s biggest stories.
Many players on both sides face each other regularly in the Premier League, adding another layer to this contest. Norway enters with growing confidence after its historic victory, while England must overcome another difficult knockout test.
Erling Haaland remains Norway’s biggest threat after scoring twice in 11 minutes against Brazil. The striker also leads the Golden Boot race with seven goals.
England will again look to Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane after Bellingham’s quickfire brace helped beat Mexico, while Kane has already scored six tournament goals.
England also has a defensive problem to solve. Jarell Quansah misses the quarter-final through suspension, forcing the Three Lions to find a way to contain one of the world’s most dangerous strikers.
Spain vs. Belgium
Spain and Belgium meet in a quarter-final that brings together two teams with very different playing styles. A place in the semi-finals is at stake, making this one of the most intriguing matches of the round.
Spain booked its place with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Portugal, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career. Belgium, meanwhile, produced one of the strongest Round of 16 performances by defeating the USA 4-1.
Spain will look to control possession and dictate the tempo, while Belgium has impressed with its quick and clinical counter-attacks.
Both nations now have a chance to move one step closer to returning to the top of world football.
Unai Simón has been one of Spain’s standout performers after keeping five consecutive clean sheets in the tournament.
On the other hand, Belgium will once again rely on Kevin De Bruyne’s creativity and Romelu Lukaku’s physical presence to break down a Spanish defence that has remained difficult to beat.
Argentina vs. Switzerland
Argentina and Switzerland meet in the final quarter-final after taking very different routes through the Round of 16. With a semi-final place at stake, both teams will look to build on hard-earned victories.
Argentina fought back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 and keep its title defence alive.
Switzerland, meanwhile, held Colombia to a goalless draw before winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
Argentina will once again rely on its attacking quality, while Switzerland will look to stay organised from the first whistle.
If the Swiss defence frustrates Argentina for long periods, this could become one of the closest matches of the quarter-finals.
Lionel Messi will again carry Argentina’s hopes after leading his team’s comeback against Egypt. Switzerland, meanwhile, will depend on goalkeeper Yann Sommer and a disciplined defence to keep the Argentine captain quiet and earn a place in the semi-finals.
Facts and Figures Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals
The quarter-finals also bring several remarkable milestones into focus. Here are five facts worth knowing before the action begins.
- Brazil and Germany have both missed the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in tournament history. Neither football powerhouse reached this stage together in any previous edition.
- Four nations still have the chance to win their first FIFA World Cup title. Belgium, Morocco, Norway, and Switzerland all remain in contention for a historic triumph.
- Morocco has become the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in consecutive tournaments. The Atlas Lions continue to build on their historic run from Qatar 2022.
- Spain enters the quarter-finals without conceding a single goal in five matches. It is the best defensive record among the remaining eight teams in the tournament.
- The Golden Boot race remains wide open heading into the quarter-finals. Lionel Messi leads with eight goals, followed by Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland on seven, while Harry Kane has scored six.
Want to read more tournament records and statistics? You can find additional facts and figures on FIFA’s official website, which will take you on a closer look at the tournament’s eight quarter-finalists.
How to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Live
Fans around the world can watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals through official television broadcasters and streaming platforms.
Here’s where you can catch all the live action.
| Region / Country | Television Broadcast (Cable / DTH) | Live Streaming & Digital Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| India | Unite8 Sports 1 / 2 (HD), DD Sports (Free-to-air) | ZEE5 App & Website (Requires a standalone FIFA pass; plans start from ₹399 monthly and ₹1,699 annually.) |
| United States | FOX Sports / FS1 (English), Telemundo / Universo (Spanish) | FOX Sports App, Fox One, Tubi, Peacock (Spanish) |
| Canada | CTV / TSN / RDS | CTV App / TSN Direct |
| Mexico | Televisa / TV Azteca | ViX |
| United Kingdom | BBC / ITV | BBC iPlayer / ITVX |
| Australia | SBS / SBS HD | SBS On Demand |
| MENA | beIN Sports | TOD (beIN CONNECT) |
| South America | DSports / Telefe / TyC Sports | DGO (Primary for DSports), Disney+ (via ESPN where sub-licensed) |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport / New World TV | SuperSport App / New World TV App |
| France | M6 / beIN Sports | 6play / beIN CONNECT |
| Spain | RTVE / DAZN | RTVE Play / DAZN App |
| Argentina | Telefe / TV Pública / TyC Sports | DGO / TyC Sports Play / Disney+ |
| Morocco | Arryadia (SNRT) | SNRT Live |
Conclusion
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals promise four exciting contests as eight teams remain in the race for football’s biggest prize. Every match now carries even greater significance, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
Every quarter-final offers something different, with strong rivalries, world-class players, and plenty of history on the line. The next few days will decide which four teams move one step closer to lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Now it’s time to enjoy the action and cheer for your favourite team as the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final continues. Which nation are you supporting in the quarter-finals, and who do you think will reach the semi-finals? Let me know in the comments below!
