Álvarez Strike and Martínez Finish Seal Dramatic Semifinal Spot: Post-Match Analysis
Zach Lowe: July 13, 2026
Two games. That’s exactly what separates Argentina from doing something that no team has ever done before: win four consecutive major trophies.
They’ve already tied Spain (2008-12) by winning the World Cup and two Copa América titles, but Argentina is now in pursuit of something truly unprecedented. After fairly comfortable wins against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, Argentina was made to sweat in the Round of 32 with a heart-palpitating extra-time win against Cape Verde in Miami. Next, they erased a two-goal deficit and pulled off an all-time comeback against Egypt in Atlanta.
So when they faced off against a Switzerland side that was missing their breakout star (Johan Manzambi), they might have very well expected a straightforward match.
Argentina Chase History After Comebacks Against Egypt and Cape Verde
Not so fast. After slipping to a stalemate vs. Qatar, Switzerland bounced back with wins vs.Bosnia & Herzegovina and Canada before edging Algeria and Colombia.
After three straight matches in Vancouver, Murat Yakin’s side headed to Kansas City to take on the world champions in their first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954.
When Alexis Mac Allister met Lionel Messi’s corner kick with a flicked-on header in the 10th, it seemed to be business as usual for the Albiceleste. Switzerland had not trailed at all in World Cup qualifying or the tournament itself, and they were suddenly swimming in uncharted waters.
But Murat Yakin’s side kicked off the second half with a fire in their belly, forcing Emiliano Martínez into several elite saves.
And in the 67th minute, Ricardo Rodriguez and Dan Ndoye combined to set up the equalizing goal.
Their joy did not last long as Breel Embolo received a second yellow for simulation, leaving Switzerland without their two most dynamic attackers and with 10 men.
Switzerland’s Shock Equalizer and the Turning Point: Embolo’s Red Card
They did well to hold on for extra time, with their disciplined defensive setup and the superb shot-stopping heroics of Gregor Kobel paying dividends.
Álvarez’s Missile and Martínez’s Late Finish Seal Victory
For a not-so-brief moment, it seemed that Switzerland might just hold out for a penalty shootout.
But, in the 112th minute, Julián Álvarez received the ball on the edge of the box, looked up, and fired a missile into the top-right corner. Switzerland didn’t give up, but with a man down, their efforts were futile. As the final whistle edged closer, Lautaro Martínez pounced upon Kobel’s slip-up and fired in the game’s third goal.
“We had to suffer a lot. We knew they were a physical team, and that gave us a lot of trouble,” said Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni. “Today we had luck on our side because one of their players was sent off. We could have played better, but it’s a big achievement to be in the semi-finals.”
La Albiceleste Set for Atlanta Showdown Against England
It was yet another heartbreaking defeat for the Swiss, having lost on penalties in the last two Euro quarterfinals to Spain and England. Argentina will now head to Atlanta to face off against an England side that is eyeing their first major trophy since 1966. The winner will head to New Jersey to take on Spain or France in the final, while the loser heads to Miami for the third-placed match.
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Spain Survived Belgian Comeback: Post-Match Analysis
Zach Lowe: July 13, 2026
Spain have confirmed their spot in the World Cup semifinal after beating Belgium 2-1, and they will face off against France on Tuesday in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
After kicking off their World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, Spain bounced back in style with a 4-0 win vs. Saudi Arabia, before trading Atlanta for Guadalajara and edging two-time world champions Uruguay 1-0 via a goal from Álex Baena.
They then demolished Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles courtesy of a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal and a goal from Pedro Porro, but they were made to work in Dallas against Portugal.
Desperate for a solution, Luis de la Fuente brought on Mikel Merino and Ferran Torres, who would combine for the winning goal in the 91st minute.
Belgium, meanwhile, would start their campaign with stalemates vs. Egypt and Iran before thrashing New Zealand 5-1 to secure their place in the Round of 32, where, despite trailing by two goals with five minutes left of regulation, they ended up scoring two goals vs. Senegal.
And just when it seemed that penalties were a formality, Youri Tielemans completed his brace to secure a 3-2 win.
They remained in Seattle and poured cold water on the United States’ World Cup campaign with a decisive 4-1 win, setting the foundations for a scintillating affair in Southern California.
La Roja’s Road to the Semis
Having lost Amadou Onana to an ACL injury in the previous match, Belgium’s fitness woes got even worse in the warm-up as captain Tielemans pulled out with an injury, enabling Spain to gain the momentum from the start and pin the Red Devils deep into their own half.
Belgium’s Golden Generation Fades as Spain Seize Early Control
It was only a matter of time before La Roja broke the deadlock, with Fabián Ruiz justifying De La Fuente’s decision to start him and converting the opening goal. Just like that, it seemed that Spain was headed to victory and was set to stretch their unbeaten run to 36 matches. But Belgium, having not lost since March 2025, was never going to go away quietly. And, while Lamine Yamal came close to doubling Spain’s advantage, it was Charles De Ketelaere, fresh off his brace against the USMNT, who scored the game’s second goal after heading home from Timothy Castagne’s cross. Spain’s world-record streak of 650 minutes without conceding a goal finally came to an end, and suddenly, Rudi Garcia’s side were on level pegging.
Injuries to Courtois and De Bruyne Shift the Momentum
But similarly to how Nuno Mendes’ injury marked a line in the sand and allowed Spain to start dominating in the opposing half, Thibaut Courtois’ injury (not to mention Kevin De Bruyne’s exit) proved a turning point. No longer aiming at perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world, Spain showed far more attacking impetus, and they eventually got their rewards as Pau Cubarsí launched an audacious shot that backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to handle.
Merino’s 88th-Minute Heroics Seal Thriller and Pave Way for French Clash
It was a gift-wrapped treat for Merino, who timed his run to perfection and nailed home the winning goal in the 88th minute.
It was the last dance for Belgium’s golden generation, with the likes of De Bruyne, Courtois, Axel Witsel and Romelu Lukaku all set to be well out of their prime years by the time the 2030 World Cup arrives. But as for Spain, they find themselves just two games away from their second World Cup title, and their second major title under De La Fuente.
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Bellingham Heroics Rescue Three Lions from Norwegian Nightmare to Reach World Cup Semis: Post-Match Analysis
England barely escaped a late collapse against a resilient Norway in a chaotic 2-1 thriller, with Jude Bellingham scoring the winner after a defensive nightmare to set up a blockbuster semifinal showdown in Atlanta. England got the job done and defeated Norway 2-1 to secure their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final.
Playing in their first major tournament in 26 years, Norway kicked off proceedings with Wins vs. Iraq and Senegal before losing to France with a rested side. This extra recovery proved essential as they edged the Ivory Coast before knocking out five-time champions Brazil via a late brace from Erling Haaland to qualify for their maiden quarterfinal.
As for England, they defeated Croatia in their first-ever match in a major tournament under Thomas Tuchel, followed by a goalless draw vs. Ghana, before bouncing back with a win vs. Panama. The knockouts have been far more arduous for the Three Lions, who trailed for the majority of the game but still came away with a 2-1 win vs. DR Congo thanks to Harry Kane’s late brace. And, despite playing down a man for 40+ minutes, they narrowly edged Mexico 2-1 in the Azteca.
Norway’s Historic Run Stopped by Resilient English Defense
But whilst Haaland and Kane were fairly quiet today, the game itself was incredibly lively.
From Schjelderup’s Early Strike to Bellingham’s Late Savior
Norway drew first blood as Andreas Schjelderup squared up Ezri Konsa before detonating a missile off the far post and into the back of the net. It seemed that Norway would enter halftime with the lead until Jude Bellingham latched onto Anthony Gordon’s cross and skipped past an array of red shirts before blasting a low, driven shot into the far post.
Norway fans complained that the ball was deflected by the spidercam, but their grievances fell on deaf ears.
Despite Thomas Tuchel bringing on Arsenal duo Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka for Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Noni Madueke at halftime, it was Norway who had the better second half, and they nearly took the lead, only for it to be annulled after Haaland was ruled to have pushed Elliot Anderson in the build-up. But England rode the storm out, and eventually, their resilience paid off.
In what was nearly a carbon copy of Spain’s late winner against Belgium, Ørjan Nyland spilled a long shot from Morgan Rogers, enabling Bellingham to capitalize and tap home the go-ahead goal. From that point on, England never looked likely to concede, even if they did invite pressure on themselves with several defensive substitutions. And with Haaland being subbed off after an inconspicuous outing, Norway never had the attacking firepower needed to trouble Jordan Pickford. England held on for a hard-fought victory in Miami, putting an end to Norway’s dream return to the World Cup, and once again, Bellingham was the protagonist.
Tuchel’s Mixed Review: “Fantastic Result” but “Sloppy Performance” Leaves England Vulnerable
“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today,” stated Tuchel after the match. “The result is fantastic. We are in the last four. It’s amazing, but I’m not happy with the performance.
The commitment is there, but we made life difficult for ourselves in the way we played – sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough… We were lucky today.”
It may not be quite the performance that they’d have expected, but England are two matches away from their first major title since 1966.
Next up? A date with either Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta.
Messi Leads Argentina’s Historic Trophy Chase Into the Quarterfinals – Pre-Match
Zach Lowe: July 10, 2026
Defense wins championships, and that may very well be the case for Spain.
Argentina entered this World Cup with the mission of doing something that no team has ever done before: winning four major international trophies in a row. Having equalled Spain’s record with the 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup, and 2024 Copa América, the Albiceleste started with a fury by beating Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0, and Jordan 3-1. It seemed that it would be business as usual: it seemed that no team was capable of laying a glove on Argentina.
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Argentina Surviving Every Test of Their Title Defense
Then the knockout round happened. Cape Verde nearly pulled off one of the greatest upsets of all time, with the debutants forcing extra time and climbing their way back from two deficits, only for Argentina to prevail 3-2 thanks to an own goal in the 111th minute. They then headed north for Atlanta, where, faced with a late two-goal deficit, they clawed their way back with three goals in the final quarter-hour against Egypt. It was yet another reminder that Argentina is going to bend, but not break.
Switzerland Making History on the World Stage
As for Switzerland, they stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Qatar in their opening match before beating Bosnia & Herzegovina 4-1 thanks to a late flurry of goals. In need of a victory to secure the top spot, the Nati got the job done by edging Canada 2-1, setting up a matchup with Algeria. They got off to an early start via Breel Embolo before doubling the lead immediately after the restart via Dan Ndoye in a 2-0 win, paving the way for a Round of 16 matchup against Colombia. Despite not having Johan Manzambi, the team’s breakout star of this World Cup, Switzerland was able to make it to penalties, where they prevailed 4-3.
Experience and Firepower Give Argentina the Edge
After three consecutive matches in Vancouver, Switzerland is now headed to Kansas City for what will be their first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954, when they were the host nation. Out of the four matches, this will likely be the most lopsided affair, and it is expected that Argentina will be favored to prevail in 90 minutes. Argentina have scored 10 goals over their five matches, consistently relying on set-pieces as well as the individual brilliance of Lionel Messi to dig themselves out of holes and come away with victories.
The last time these two sides faced off, it nearly went to penalties, only for Messi to set up Angel Di Maria’s winner in the 118th minute and secure their spot in the 2014 World Cup quarterfinal. With Di Maria now retired, Argentina doesn’t have the same ability to threaten teams in transition, but they still have a cohesive unit of players who are well-versed in these emotional fixtures. Switzerland aren’t novices either: they beat the world champions in 2021 and the European champions in 2024, losing on penalties in both Euro quarterfinals. But they are still searching for their first piece of silverware since the bronze medal of the 1924 Summer Olympics.
Messi to Lead Argentina Into the Semifinals
Switzerland will be looking to keep things tight at the back and cause a low-scoring battle, whilst Argentina will be hoping that their attacking firepower proves the difference in Kansas City. We’re expecting Messi to continue his magical scoring run, and we’re expecting Argentina to just about get the job done with a 2-1 victory.
England vs Norway Prediction: Can Haaland Stop the Three Lions’ Charge to the Semifinals
Zach Lowe: July 10, 2026
Defense wins championships, and that may very well be the case for Spain.
England will return to the World Cup quarterfinal for the 11th time as they head to Miami, and they’ll be taking on a Norway side that has reached uncharted territory, having made it to their first-ever quarterfinal.
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Norway’s Fairytale Run Faces Its Biggest Test Yet
Playing in their first major tournament since Euro 2000, Norway started off with a 4-1 win vs. Iraq and a 3-2 Senegal before resting their starters in a 4-1 loss vs. France. That extra rest proved handy as Norway prevailed 2-1 against the Ivory Coast courtesy of Erling Haaland’s late winner, before knocking out Brazil 2-0 via Haaland’s late brace.
England Finding Ways to Win
As for England, they beat Croatia 4-2 before being kept under wraps in a goalless stalemate vs. Ghana, followed by a 2-0 win against Panama. And while they trailed for most of the match, they nevertheless escaped Atlanta with a 2-1 win over DR Congo thanks to Harry Kane’s brace before facing off against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. Despite playing down a man for over 40 minutes, the Three Lions managed to ride the storm out and eke out a 3-2 win against the co-hosts, setting up an enthralling match-up with Norway in Florida.
Kane vs Haaland Headlines a Blockbuster Quarterfinal
All signs point to this one being a high-scoring clash, with both sides boasting two of the best strikers in Kane and Haaland. But whilst Haaland has been single-handedly carrying the line, England has a plethora of elite options in attack like Jude Bellingham, who chipped in with a brace vs. Mexico to take his tally to four goals, as well as other stars like Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, and Marcus Rashford. It’s precisely that additional attacking firepower that could see Thomas Tuchel’s side return to the final four.
The vast majority of these England players have been here before, having reached the last two Euro finals and having played in the World Cup quarterfinal in 2022 and the semifinal in 2018. Norway, meanwhile, does not have the same experience, and that could mean that they will be more susceptible to a costly error that could come back to bite them against England’s disciplined structure.
Against an England side that excels at hitting on the counter, pressing high up the pitch, and moving the ball at breakneck pace, they might very well find themselves vulnerable, and it’s why every single Norway player must ensure that they don’t blink for one second.
If Norway is to pull another rabbit out of the hat, it’ll come down to their attacking players. Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Martin Odegaard will need to step up and deliver to ensure England isn’t able to focus solely on marking Haaland. If they can make their presence felt, then Haaland will be able to work his magic and dominate against England’s center backs. As we’ve seen throughout this tournament, if you give Haaland an inch, he’ll take a mile.
England to Edge a Five-Star Thriller
We’re expecting this match to go down to the wire, but England’s superior quality in midfield should see them dominate possession and create enough chances to pull off a narrow victory in the 305. As much as Norway has been one of the dark horses of this tournament, this will likely be where their World Cup dreams come to an end. We’re expecting England to edge this 3-2 and book their date in the semifinals.
Spain’s Perfect Defense Faces Its Biggest Test Yet Against Belgium – Pre Match
Zach Lowe: July 10, 2026
Defense wins championships, and that may very well be the case for Spain.
Back in the previous decade, when Spain won three consecutive major trophies (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012), La Roja were famed for tiki-taka, predicated upon relentless short passing, positional interchanging, and suffocating possession to control the tempo of the game. The Spain of today isn’t quite as aesthetically pleasing as that legendary side, but they’re, nevertheless, proving to be a tough nut to crack for opposing sides.
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Spain Building a Championship-Winning Formula
The reigning European champions were subdued in their opening match, a 0-0 draw vs. Cape Verde, before bouncing back with a ferocious 4-0 win against Saudi Arabia. Spain then left Atlanta for Guadalajara, where they edged Uruguay 1-0 to secure the top spot in their group, setting up a date with Austria in Los Angeles. Despite only having one available winger in Lamine Yamal, La Roja dominated the Austrians from start to finish, pinning their opponent deep into their own half en route to a 3-0 demolition and their first World Cup knockout win since 2010.
They then headed to Dallas to face off against Portugal – the last team to beat them – where, after a fairly even-handed match, Spain started to mount the pressure at the hour-mark and eventually prevailed 1-0 as substitutes Ferran Torres and Mikel Merino combined for the winning goal in the 91st minute.
Belgium’s Revival Continues Against the Odds
Belgium, meanwhile, has gone from less to more in this World Cup. Whilst Spain has been waking up from a 16-year-long hibernation, Belgium seemed to have fallen off the beaten path after a group-stage exit in 2022 and a Round of 16 loss in 2024. It seemed that the Red Devils were too old and washed up to compete, and that they had squeezed every bit of juice from the golden generation that won the bronze medal in 2018.
Not so fast. After goalless draws vs. Egypt and Iran, Belgium demolished New Zealand 5-1 before climbing back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit and edging Senegal 3-2. And then, Belgium faced off against the United States in Seattle. Fueled by the apparent injustice of Folarin Balogun being allowed to play after his red card vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina, Belgium delivered their best performance since 2018, dominating the USA in their own backyard en route to a 4-1 win. However, it’s unclear how much of that was down to their overall quality, and how much was down to Belgium being motivated by the Balogun controversy.
Can Belgium End Spain’s Historic Defensive Run?
Spain will be the favorites going into this match in Southern California, but Belgium, unbeaten in their last 18 matches, won’t be pushovers. Even with Amadou Onana suffering an ACL injury, Rudi Garcia’s side has the know-how and versatility to cause Spain some serious issues. And with Charles De Ketelaere fresh off a Man of the Match display vs. the co-hosts, he’ll be looking to end Spain’s streak of invincibility, having become the first team in World Cup history to keep six consecutive clean sheets.
This match will come down to the finer details, but it may just be that Spain’s greater depth will prove the difference in Inglewood. We’re expecting Luis de la Fuente’s side to prevail 1-0 in Belgium and narrowly get over the line once again, before returning to Dallas in the semifinal.
France VS Morocco Post-Match: Deschamps’ Final Masterpiece Has France on the Brink of World Cup Glory
Zach Lowe: July 10, 2026
When Didier Deschamps took charge in 2012, France found themselves in crisis mode, having just lost in the Euro quarterfinals and been knocked out in the World Cup group stage. Since then, Les Bleus have ascended to the top of the totem pole of the world’s best teams, winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the 2021 UEFA Nations League in Italy and narrowly losing in the 2016 European Championship Final on home soil.
The only two times that they didn’t win the World Cup under Deschamps was when they lost to the eventual champions, having gone out to Germany in the 2014 quarterfinal before losing on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final.
From Crisis to World Cup Powerhouse
Deschamps will be looking to close out his France tenure with his fifth trophy with the national team, having previously won the World Cup and the Euros as a player, and there’s little doubt that they are the favorites to take home the crown.
This time, however, they’re doing it with far more artistry and panache. In 2018, France managed to climb to the zenith of world football thanks in large part to a defensive-oriented, counterattacking setup, one that was based on hard running and overall sacrifice. Even with center forward Olivier Giroud failing to score, even with midfield shuttler Blaise Matuidi benching precocious winger Ousmane Dembélé to offer greater defensive support, Les Bleus were able to grind their way to glory and secure their first trophy in 18 years.
France’s Firepower Continues to Deliver
This iteration of France is based on one simple premise: they’ve got more attacking firepower than anyone on the planet, and they’re going to prove it every single time.
After winning 3-1, 3-0, 4-1, and 3-0 in their first four matches, France ran into a stubborn challenge in Philadelphia against a Paraguay side that focused more on putting in crunching tackles than actually attacking. But just when it seemed they were unable to pierce La Albirroja’s bus, Désiré Doué came off the bench and immediately won a penalty, which was converted by Kylian Mbappé in the 70th minute.
This set up a rematch of the last edition’s World Cup semifinal against Morocco, where, once again, France were made to wait as Mbappé spurned a penalty and another golden opportunity before finally putting Morocco to bed with a magnificent strike from distance.
The Atlas Lions barely had any time to breathe before Mbappé set up Dembélé for the second goal in Foxboro, putting the finishing touches on a comprehensive 2-0 win that only had one blemish: Mbappé limping off with a foot injury in the 77th minute. Mbappé currently leads the Golden Boot race with 8 goals alongside Lionel Messi, whilst only Messi (21) has scored more than him in World Cup history.
Mbappé Chasing History as France March On
France will now head to Texas and take on either Spain or Belgium in what will be Didier Deschamps’ 26th World Cup match, breaking the record previously set by Helmut Schön in 1978 – the only man to have coached the same team at four straight World Cups alongside Walter Winterbottom and Deschamps. Deschamps will be closing out his France tenure with 187 matches in charge, but will his final match be the third-place match in Miami or the final in New Jersey?
Can Mbappé End Morocco’s Dream and Fire Les Bleus Into Another Final?
Zach Lowe: July 9, 2026
Revenge is a dish best served cold, and for Morocco, that dish might very well have been in the freezer for the past four years.
France Closing In on Another World Cup Final
France and Morocco faced off in the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal, where goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani saw Les Bleus prevail 2-0. Heading into this matchup, all signs point to France coming away with another victory, especially after they swept their first five matches with a 12-goal differential.
They faced their toughest task against Paraguay, where the Albirroja targeted them with a number of vicious fouls, but Desiré Doué came off the bench and immediately made an impact by winning a penalty that Kylian Mbappé converted. That’s the thing about France: even if you shut down Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise, you’ll still have to deal with an army of counter-attacking demons off the bench.
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Morocco’s Revenge Mission Faces Fresh Challenges
Morocco, meanwhile, would draw with Brazil before beating Haiti and Scotland, followed by a penalty shootout win vs. the Netherlands. Plus, after a fairly underwhelming start vs. Canada, they snapped into action in the second half and won 3-0 in Houston, despite missing their starting center back Chadi Riad, with a knee problem.
While Riad is set to return, there’s less certainty about Ismael Saibari, who exited the Canada game with a hamstring issue. With no natural striker to complement their attack, Morocco has relied on Saibari to lead the line, and he’s done just that with three goals thus far.
Why France Hold the Tactical Edge
But with Saibari potentially out, it’s hard to see where the goals are coming from against such a stalwart defense. France will be hoping to capitalize on this and rack up the pressure against the Atlas Lions as they pursue their third consecutive World Cup Final.
In contrast to the team that made history in 2022 by becoming the first African side to reach the semifinals, this Morocco team predicates itself on possession play as opposed to rugged defending and transitional play. This could very well open up gaps in transition, which France would be all the more happy to exploit.
Deschamps and Mbappé Chasing History
France aren’t just playing for silverware: they’re playing to honor their manager Didier Deschamps, who will equal Helmut Schon (25) for the most matches in World Cup history, having won 20 of them. Deschamps will step down after this tournament, and he has this France team clicking on all cylinders with just two goals conceded. France scored 3+ goals in their first four matches before struggling to break down a Paraguay side that showed no attacking initiative whatsoever. Against a far more audacious Morocco side, however, we’re backing them to score multiple goals once again.
France to Win and Reach the Final
Morocco won’t be going away lightly, but France should have enough firepower to book their ticket to the semifinal. This time, Mbappe should be expected to find the back of the net and continue his Golden Boot chase with an eighth goal of the tournament. Don’t overthink this: go with France to win by a comfortable two-goal margin, either 2-0 or 3-1 or 4-2, and go with Mbappe to score yet another goal in Foxboro.
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Bovada Trading Team Prediction: Team to Make the Quarterfinals
July 6, 2026
Who are some dark horses to ride their way into the quarterfinals like Morocco in 2022? The Bovada World Cup Trading Team blessed us with their knowledge and perspective.
Trade Team Pick to Make Quarterfinals:
- Colombia
Why Colombia?
“Colombia is not a team I mentioned before, but they arrive as a dark horse contender with elite offensive firepower and with a chance at redemption. After missing out on the 2022 tournament, Los Cafeteros booked their ticket to North America by finishing an impressive third in the CONMEBOL standings. With the 2024 Copa America final and high-profile qualifying wins over Brazil and Argentina, head coach Nestor Lorenzo has forged a squad capable of deep tournament runs.”
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By the time the top eight teams reach the World Cup quarterfinals, they’ll have five matches under their belt – three group stage matches and two knockout rounds – and they’ll either be beaming with confidence, shaken by close calls, or unsure where they stand among the World Cup’s “elite eight.”
The noise only gets louder in the quarterfinals. Every yellow card, bad pass, and missed chance feels heavier. History has shown that fans will forgive an all-out losing effort, but one game-changing mistake can follow a player forever.
Before the quarterfinals kick off on July 9, 2026, here’s everything to know about the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal format, venues, schedule, and what history tells us to expect.
What Are the World Cup Quarterfinals?
The FIFA World Cup quarterfinals are the soccer version of the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight: Eight teams in four single-elimination matches. No second chances.
The winners move on to the semifinals, while the losers go home. By this stage, every remaining nation has already survived the group stage, the new Last 32 round, and the Last 16.
The 2026 tournament is the first World Cup ever expanded to 48 teams, meaning the knockout round is longer than in any previous tournament.
As in previous knockout rounds, if a quarterfinal match is tied after 90 minutes, two full periods of extra time are played, for a total of 30 additional minutes. If the score is still tied after extra time, the match goes to a penalty shootout. A penalty shootout allows both teams to take five shots on goal, and if it’s still tied, it goes to a sudden-death shootout.
How Teams Qualify for the Quarterfinals
The expanded 2026 format begins with 48 nations divided into 12 groups of four teams each.
The top two teams from every group automatically advance to the knockout stage, while the eight best third-placed teams also move on, creating a 32-team knockout bracket for the first time in World Cup history.
From there, the path becomes simple and unforgiving:
- Last 32 winners advance to the Last 16
- Last 16 winners advance to the quarterfinals
- Eight teams compete to move to the semifinals.
That means every World Cup quarterfinal team will have already won two straight knockout matches to reach this point.
2026 Quarterfinal Venues
Every match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals will take place on American soil. The confirmed schedule is:
- France vs Morocco – July 9th, 2026, at Gillette Stadium (changed to Boston Stadium to follow FIFA regulations) in Boston.
- Spain vs Belgium KO – July 10th, 2026, at SoFI Stadium in Los Angeles.
- Norway vs England – July 11th, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
- Argentina vs Switzerland – July 11th, 2026, at Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City.
The first match at Boston Stadium has an officially listed tournament capacity of 65,878, while SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles seats approximately 70,240. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami holds around 64,767, and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City has a listed capacity of roughly 76,416. The crowds for this event will be huge and at fever pitch.
Once the Last 16 bracket is finalized, the exact matchups and specific kickoff times for all four quarterfinals will be confirmed.
Historical Quarterfinal Context
If recent history tells us anything, the World Cup quarterfinal is a tornado of intensity down to the final minute.
The 2022 World Cup quarterfinals delivered some of the wildest drama of the entire tournament:
- Croatia 1-1 Brazil (Croatia won 4-2 on penalties)
- Netherlands 2-2 Argentina (Argentina won 4-3 on penalties)
- Morocco 1-0 Portugal
- England 1-2 France
Two of the four matches went all the way to penalty shootouts.
Brazil crashed out despite holding the lead in extra time. Argentina survived a wildly chaotic quarterfinal against the Netherlands that featured late drama, bench confrontations, and a penalty shootout. And Morocco became the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semifinal with an upset over Portugal.
With the quarterfinals putting World Cup gold within reach, there’s a different kind of pressure than in the earlier knockout rounds. Teams stop playing freely. Matches tighten up. One mistake can erase a month of work.
Historically, this stage consistently produces tense, narrow games rather than blowouts. That is part of what makes the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal format so compelling for fans and bettors.
Pre-Match Betting Angle
The World Cup quarterfinals are usually packed with betting value because the margins are so small.
Once the matchups are confirmed, Bovada will offer live odds across multiple markets, including:
- Match winner
- First goalscorer
- Correct score
- Both teams to score
- Penalty shootout specials
Given how often quarterfinals are decided by shootouts, the penalty market is always worth monitoring. Two of the four quarterfinals in 2022 ended in shootouts, and extra-time drama has become almost expected at this stage of the tournament.
FAQ
When are the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals?
The quarterfinals will be played from July 9-11, 2026.
How many teams play in the quarterfinals?
Eight teams qualify for the quarterfinals after advancing through the Last 32 and Last 16 knockout rounds.
What happens if a quarter-final match is tied after 90 minutes?
The match goes to 30 minutes of extra time. If the score is still tied, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.
Where are the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals played?
All four quarterfinals are being played in the United States, in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Atlanta
Who advances to the World Cup semifinals?
The four quarterfinal winners advance to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Eight teams left. Four matches. Three more wins to World Cup gold. The odds will be live throughout the knockout stage, and the road to the semifinals starts here.
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