The FIFA World Cup 2026 — jointly hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada — has reached one of its most exciting stages: the Quarterfinals. With the Round of 16 now behind us, only eight teams remain, and the race for the trophy is getting tighter with every match.
Here’s a complete breakdown of what has happened so far and what’s coming next.
🏆 Quarterfinal Results So Far
France 2-0 Morocco
France delivered a dominant performance against Morocco, with Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé both finding the net. Morocco, who had shocked fans with an impressive run through the knockout stages, could not break down France’s defense in the second half. France now advances to the semifinals as one of the tournament favorites.
Spain 2-1 Belgium
In a dramatic finish, Spain edged past Belgium thanks to a stoppage-time winner from substitute Mikel Merino. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in the 30th minute, Belgium equalized through Charles De Ketelaere, but Merino — who had undergone foot surgery earlier this year and wasn’t even guaranteed a World Cup spot — came off the bench once again to be the hero. This is now the second knockout match in a row where Merino has scored a decisive late goal for Spain.
⚽ Today’s Big Matches (Saturday, July 11)
Norway vs England — 5:00 PM (Fox), Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
This is a historic first-ever World Cup meeting between these two nations. All eyes are on the Erling Haaland vs Harry Kane battle, with both strikers currently in contention for the Golden Boot. England enters this match fresh off an impressive win over co-hosts Mexico, while Norway has been one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, having knocked out Brazil in the Round of 16.
Argentina vs Switzerland — 9:00 PM (Fox), Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Reigning champions Argentina head into this quarterfinal after a thrilling comeback win over Egypt (3-2) in the Round of 16, with drama around VAR decisions adding to the tension. Switzerland, meanwhile, has been solid and disciplined throughout the tournament and will look to cause an upset against Lionel Messi and co. in what could be one of Messi’s final World Cup appearances.
📅 Road to the Final
| Stage | Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semifinal 1 | France vs Spain | July 14 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| Semifinal 2 | Norway/England vs Argentina/Switzerland | July 15 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 3rd Place Match | TBD | July 18 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| Final | TBD | July 19 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
🔑 Key Storylines to Watch
- Messi’s Last Dance? — At 39, this could be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup appearance, adding extra emotional weight to every Argentina match.
- Mbappé’s Chase — Kylian Mbappé is closing in on Messi’s World Cup goal record, sitting just two goals behind the Argentine legend.
- Golden Boot Race — Harry Kane and Erling Haaland are among the frontrunners, and today’s Norway-England clash could shift the race significantly.
- Host Nations Eliminated — All three co-hosts (USA, Mexico, Canada) have already been knocked out, with Canada falling to Morocco, Mexico to England, and the USMNT to Belgium — but the tournament’s atmosphere across North America remains electric.
🏁 Final Thoughts
With France and Spain already through, and Norway-England plus Argentina-Switzerland set to decide the final two semifinalists today, World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable tournaments in recent memory. Whether it’s Haaland vs Kane, or Messi chasing one last title, Saturday’s matches could define the rest of the tournament.
Stay tuned for live updates as the quarterfinals conclude tonight.
