The Round of 16 is done. The eight best teams are left. France, Spain, Morocco, England, Belgium, Norway, Argentina, and Switzerland. They all have one goal. Reach the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The quarter-finals start on July 9. Four matches over three days.
The winners move to the semi-finals in Dallas and Atlanta. The losers go home. This is the most exciting stage of the World Cup. Every match is a knockout. Every mistake is punished. Here is the complete schedule, the match previews, and the route to the final.
Complete Quarter Final Schedule and Fixtures
The quarter-finals begin on July 9 and end on July 11. All four matches are in the United States. Here are the details.
| Matchup | Date | Venue | Expected Kickoff Time (IST) |
| France vs Morocco | July 9, 2026 | Boston Stadium | 1:30 AM |
| Spain vs Belgium | July 10, 2026 | Los Angeles Stadium | 1:30 AM |
| Norway vs England | July 11, 2026 | Miami Stadium | 5:30 AM |
| Argentina vs Switzerland | July 11, 2026 | Kansas City Stadium | 1:30 AM |
How Will France and Morocco Match Up in Boston
This is a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. France won that game 2-0. They did it again in Boston. France beat Morocco 2-0 on July 9. Kylian Mbappe scored the first goal in the 60th minute. He missed a penalty earlier in the match.
Ousmane Dembele scored the second goal. Mbappe came off late with an ankle issue. Morocco reached the quarter-finals by beating Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16. They could not repeat that performance against France. France are through to the semi-finals for the third time in a row.
Can Spain Overcome Belgium in Los Angeles
Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16. Mikel Merino scored a stoppage time winner. He did it again against Belgium. Spain beat Belgium 2-1 on July 10. Fabian Ruiz scored the first goal in the 30th minute. Belgium equalised but Merino scored the winner in the 88th minute.
Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16. Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku were key players in that match. But Spain’s defence was too strong. They have not conceded a goal in the entire tournament so far. Spain are through to the semi-finals for the first time since 2010.
Why Norway vs England is the Ultimate Quarter Final Clash
England survived a scare against Mexico. They won 3-2 despite playing with 10 men. Jarell Quansah received a red card. Norway knocked out Brazil in the Round of 16. Erling Haaland scored a late double to win that match. The quarter-final was a blockbuster. England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time on July 11. Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead in the 36th minute. Jude Bellingham equalised in first-half stoppage time. Bellingham scored again in the third minute of extra time. That was the winner. England are through to the semi-finals for the first time since 2018.
Will Argentina Survive the Switzerland Defense in Kansas City
Argentina came back from 2-0 down against Egypt. Lionel Messi led the comeback. Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties in the Round of 16. The quarter-final was a tense affair. Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time on July 11. Alexis Mac Allister scored in the 10th minute. Switzerland equalised in the 67th minute. The match went to extra time. Julian Alvarez scored a stunning long-range strike in the 112th minute. Switzerland were down to 10 men after a red card in the 72nd minute. Lautaro Martinez added a third goal in stoppage time. Argentina are through to the semi-finals.
Route to the World Cup Final 2026
The four quarter-final winners move to the semi-finals. The bracket is set. France will play Spain in the first semi-final. England will play Argentina in the second semi-final. The winners of these two matches will meet in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Who Will Meet in the First Semi Final
France and Spain will face each other in the first semi-final. The match is on July 14 at the Dallas Stadium. France have won two World Cups in the last eight years. Spain are the European champions. This is a clash of two football giants. The winner will play in the final on July 19.
Which Teams Control the Second Semi Final Path
England and Argentina will meet in the second semi-final. The match is on July 15 in Atlanta. England have not reached a World Cup final since 1966. Argentina are the defending champions. They won the title in 2022. This is a classic European versus South American clash. The winner will face either France or Spain in the final.
Team Assessment Advantages, Vulnerabilities, Prospects and Risks
Evaluating England Advantages and Potential Risks
Advantages
- Unmatched attacking depth. Jude Bellingham is in the form of his life. He scored a brace against Norway.
- Resilient mentality under pressure. England came from behind to win in extra time.
- Strong midfield control. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham dominate the centre of the pitch.
Vulnerabilities
- Defensive gaps due to knockout suspensions. Jarell Quansah received a red card against Mexico. This leaves England short at the back.
- Over-reliance on individual brilliance. Bellingham scored both goals against Norway. If he has an off day, England could struggle.
- Facing Erling Haaland was a test. England passed it. But Argentina have Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez. That is a different challenge.
Prospects
- High chance of reaching the final if they can neutralise Argentina’s attack.
- England have the momentum. They have won two knockout matches in a row.
Risks
- Over-reliance on individual brilliance in late game scenarios.
- Argentina are the defending champions. They know how to win tight matches.
Final Date 2026 and Championship Predictions
The World Cup final is on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The match starts at 8 PM local time. Four teams are still in the race. France, Spain, England, and Argentina. France have the most experience. They have won two of the last four World Cups. Spain are the most organised team.
They have not conceded a goal in the tournament so far. England have the most momentum. They came from behind to beat Norway. Argentina have Lionel Messi. He is the greatest player of all time. The prediction is hard. But Argentina have the experience and the talent. They are the favourites to win it again.
Summary of the Knockout Stage
The quarter-finals are done. France beat Morocco 2-0. Spain beat Belgium 2-1. England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time. Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time. The semi-finals are set. France vs Spain on July 14 in Dallas.
England vs Argentina on July 15 in Atlanta. The winners will meet in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. This is the most exciting World Cup in years. Share your predictions. Who will lift the trophy? Stay tuned for more updates. The road to the final is almost complete.
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