The Road to the Final
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began with 48 competing nations, has reached a critical juncture. Following a knockout stage defined by dramatic last-minute goals, high-stakes penalty shootouts, and several major surprises, only eight teams remain in contention. Each of these sides is now just three victories away from securing the prestigious World Cup trophy.
Quarterfinal Match Schedule
The stage is set for the quarterfinals, featuring a series of high-profile encounters. All kickoff times are provided in ET:
- Thursday, July 9: France vs. Morocco, 4 p.m. – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Friday, July 10: Spain vs. Belgium, 3 p.m. – SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Saturday, July 11: Norway vs. England, 5 p.m. – Hard Rock Stadium
- Saturday, July 11: Argentina vs. Switzerland, 9 p.m. – Arrowhead Stadium
The Semifinals and Final Path
The winners of these matches will advance to the final four to continue their journey:
- Tuesday, July 14: France/Morocco vs. Spain/Belgium, 3 p.m. – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Wednesday, July 15: Norway/England vs. Argentina/Switzerland, 3 p.m. – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
The third-place playoff is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at Hard Rock Stadium, while the championship match will take place on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
"From here on, only three wins separate the remaining teams from lifting the World Cup trophy," according to tournament analysts.
Recap of Recent Knockout Results
The round of 16 saw several teams earn their spots through hard-fought victories. Notable results included France overcoming Paraguay, England defeating Mexico, and Switzerland advancing after a tense penalty shootout against Colombia.