The FIFA World Cup 2026 reaches the quarter-final stage this week. Four ties, played across three days from 9 to 11 July, will produce the four semi-finalists. The tournament co-hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico is delivering on its promise of competition and surprise. Both Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham have already made their marks. Brazil are out. The 2022 champions Argentina are still in. France look formidable. Morocco have beaten a co-host nation.
This is the state of the draw.
The Quarter-Final Fixtures
QF 1: France vs Morocco
Date: 9 July 2026 Venue: Gillette Stadium, Boston
France reached the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Paraguay. Morocco beat co-host Canada 3-0, a comprehensive elimination of a team playing in front of their own supporters.
Morocco reached the World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022, becoming the first African nation to do so. Their route to this quarter-final has been similarly direct. France are one of the two or three most historically decorated nations in the competition, with a squad built for tournament football.
This is the North African giant-killers against the tournament’s most experienced programme.
QF 2: Winner of Portugal/Spain vs Winner of USA/Belgium
Date: 10 July 2026 Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
The Portugal vs Spain Iberian derby, played in today’s Round of 16, produces the winner for this QF. Spain came into their R16 fixture unbeaten in the tournament and yet to concede a goal. That defensive record is the standout statistic of the group stage.
The QF on 10 July will confirm the identity of both sides, but whoever comes through from that Iberian tie will be one of the form sides of the tournament.
QF 3: England vs Norway
Date: 11 July 2026 Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Time: 5:00pm ET / 10:00pm BST
The standout tie for UK-market audiences. England beat Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca in their R16 fixture, Jude Bellingham scoring twice and Harry Kane adding a penalty. They survived a red card and a late Mexican goal to hold on.
Norway beat Brazil 2-1 at MetLife Stadium. Erling Haaland scored both goals. It was Norway’s first World Cup quarter-final appearance in their history.
England vs Haaland is the sub-plot the whole week will be built around for UK audiences. Quansah’s suspension following his R16 red card means England need to reorganise defensively. The question is whether they can do it against the player who just sent the five-time world champions home.
QF 4: Winner of Argentina/Egypt vs Winner of Switzerland/Colombia
Date: 11 July 2026 Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Argentina, the reigning world champions, face Egypt in their R16 match on 7 July. The QF on 11 July will feature the winner. Argentina have carried the expectation of holders throughout the group stage.
Switzerland and Colombia meet in the other R16 tie on 7 July. Both have earned their places in the last 16 through solid group stage performances.
What to watch for
Spain’s defensive record: If they get through their R16 fixture against Portugal, Spain’s clean sheet run will be the statistical talking point of the tournament heading into the QF. A team that concedes nothing changes the calculus of how you structure an analysis or a position against them.
France’s efficiency: Their 1-0 win over Paraguay was not a commanding performance, but France have a history of winning tournaments on fine margins. Their squad is deep; their tournament experience is genuine.
Norway’s Haaland: Two goals against Brazil. In a World Cup knockout game. The number is now the baseline for how the rest of the world will approach facing him.
England’s defensive reorganisation: Quansah’s absence is the only confirmed piece of selection information for the QF. How England replace him defensively in a match where the primary threat is Haaland is the key strategic question of the week.
The semi-final picture
Win the QF, and:
- France or Morocco reach the last four from QF 1
- Spain or Portugal (or USA or Belgium) from QF 2
- England or Norway from QF 3
- Argentina or Switzerland or Colombia from QF 4
The right side of the bracket, Haaland and England, Argentina and their group. is the one generating the most UK-market attention. The left side, France, Morocco, Spain or Portugal, is where the tournament’s historically heaviest teams are concentrated.
Semi-finals are 14-15 July. The final is 19 July.
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