World Cup 2026 quarter-finals bracket takes shape
The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals bracket is taking shape as the round of 16 progresses. Morocco and France are the first teams to qualify. Get the latest
FIFA World Cup 2026 bracket: Quarter-finals full schedule – Live updates
Quarter-Finals Schedule Unveiled
The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 is progressing, with the quarter-finals bracket beginning to solidify. The tournament, described as the largest World Cup ever, saw its round of 16 matches commence on Saturday. Morocco and France were the initial teams to secure their places in the next stage of the competition.
The first quarter-final match is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, at Boston Stadium. This fixture will feature Morocco against France, kicking off at 4 p.m. ET. This particular match is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, where France emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline.
On Friday, July 10, the winners from two round of 16 clashes, specifically the Portugal–Spain winner and the USA–Belgium winner, will compete in a quarter-final match. This game is set to take place at Los Angeles Stadium at 3 p.m. ET.
Saturday, July 11, will host two more quarter-final encounters. The first will be at Miami Stadium at 5 p.m. ET, featuring England against Norway. Later that day, at 9 p.m. ET, Kansas City Stadium will host the match between the winners of the Argentina–Egypt game and the Switzerland–Colombia game.
Morocco and France Advance
Morocco secured its spot in the quarter-finals by defeating Canada 3-0 in a round of 16 match held at Houston Stadium on Saturday. This victory marks a significant achievement for Morocco, as it is now the first African team to reach consecutive World Cup quarter-finals.
Brahim Diaz, a forward for Morocco, played a crucial role in his team’s performance. He contributed two assists in the match against Canada, bringing his total for the 2026 World Cup to four assists across five games. Despite the 3-0 score, the match was reportedly a harder-fought battle than the scoreline might suggest.
Diaz‘s performances at the World Cup have highlighted his ability to create chances and be effective in transition, particularly when given space. His contributions come at a pivotal moment in his career, as he is now considered a player in his prime. There are ongoing transfer rumors surrounding Diaz, but he has expressed a clear desire to remain at Real Madrid and work with new manager Jose Mourinho.
France also advanced to the quarter-finals after a 1-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday at Philadelphia Stadium. Kylian Mbappé scored on a penalty kick during this match. Mbappé is also a candidate for the Golden Boot award.
In the latest FIFA rankings, Morocco was ranked No. 7, while France held the No. 3 position, trailing only Argentina and Spain.
England and Norway Make History
England has reached the quarter-finals for the third consecutive World Cup, overcoming Mexico with a 3-2 victory on Sunday at Mexico City Stadium. England played a significant portion of the second half with only 10 men.
Their upcoming opponent, Norway, is making its debut in the World Cup quarter-finals. Erling Haaland scored both goals for Norway in their upset win against Brazil, which also placed him in a tie for the lead in the Golden Boot race. The match between England and Norway is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at Miami Stadium.
While all three tournament co-hosts participated in the round of 16, Canada was the first home team to be eliminated from contention, a result of the tournament’s scheduling.
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Source: foxsports.com
Rohan Gupta
Sports Reporter
