The 2026 FIFA World Cup has now reached its highly anticipated knockout stage, with the quarter-final matchups officially confirmed after the culmination of the Round of 16. At this point, eight nations are still in the running for the most coveted prize in football, resulting in four captivating encounters that will feature a mix of former champions, prominent European powerhouses, and unexpected challengers.
The quarter-finals are set to commence on Thursday, July 9, with a thrilling matchup between France and Morocco, which will be a rematch of their memorable semi-final clash at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In their previous encounter, France secured a 2-0 victory before proceeding to the final, but Morocco have continued to solidify their position as one of the rising forces in global football and will be seeking revenge by securing a historic spot in the last four.
The focus will then shift to Friday, July 10, when Spain will face off against Belgium in one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of the tournament. Both teams have consistently showcased their exciting brand of attacking football and technical brilliance throughout the competition, making their all-European showdown a must-watch event.
The remaining quarter-final matches are scheduled to take place on July 11 and July 12. Norway will be facing England as they attempt to extend their impressive World Cup run against one of the tournament’s favorites. England has successfully combined experience with youthful energy to emerge as strong contenders for the title, making this matchup a thrilling one to watch.
The final quarter-final will pit the reigning world champions, Argentina, against Switzerland, with both sides competing for the last available spot in the semi-finals. As the competition enters its decisive phase, with only three matches now separating the remaining teams from lifting the prestigious World Cup trophy, the stakes have never been higher.
The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final fixtures are as follows:
– France will take on Morocco on July 9 at 20:00 GMT.
– Spain will meet Belgium on July 10 at 19:00 GMT.
– Norway will face England on July 11 at 21:00 GMT.
– Argentina will play against Switzerland on July 12 at 01:00 GMT.

