Key Highlights
- The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final line-up is confirmed.
- France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland are still alive.
- Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Mexico, USA, Colombia and Canada have been eliminated.
- France vs Morocco, Spain vs Belgium, Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland are the four quarter-finals.
- The FIFA World Cup 2026 final will be played on July 20 at 12.30 AM IST.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached the quarter-final stage, and only eight teams are still alive in the race for the trophy. After a dramatic Round of 32 and Round of 16, France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland are the teams left in the tournament.
Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Mexico, United States, Colombia and Canada are among the major teams already eliminated from the knockout stage. The final is scheduled for July 20 at 12.30 AM IST, while the semi-finals will be played on July 15 and July 16 in India time.
Also Read FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain, Belgium Reach Quarter-Finals as Portugal, USA Exit
FIFA World Cup 2026 teams still alive
The eight teams still in the FIFA World Cup 2026 are:
- France
- Morocco
- Spain
- Belgium
- Norway
- England
- Argentina
- Switzerland
These teams are now one win away from the semi-finals. The quarter-final stage will decide the last four teams of the tournament.
FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final schedule in India time
France vs Morocco
July 10, 1.30 AM IST
Spain vs Belgium
July 11, 12.30 AM IST
Norway vs England
July 12, 2.30 AM IST
Argentina vs Switzerland
July 12, 6.30 AM IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final schedule in India time
FIFA Semi-final 1
Winner of France vs Morocco vs Winner of Spain vs Belgium
July 15, 12.30 AM IST
FIFA Semi-final 2
Winner of Norway vs England vs Winner of Argentina vs Switzerland
July 16, 12.30 AM IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 final and third-place match
FIFA Third-place playoff
July 19, 2.30 AM IST
FIFA World Cup 2026 final
July 20, 12.30 AM IST
Also Read FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16: Norway Beat Brazil, England Defeat Mexico
Source: FIFA World Cup
Latest Updates from FIFA World Cup 2026
The tournament is currently between the Round of 16 and the quarter-finals. The knockout stage has already produced several major shocks.
Brazil were knocked out by Norway in the Round of 16. Germany were eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32. Portugal lost to Spain in the Round of 16. Hosts Canada were beaten by Morocco. Co-host Mexico went out after losing to England.
The quarter-finals now have a mix of former champions, European teams, an African contender and two teams that have grown stronger with each round. France, Spain, England and Argentina will carry the weight of past success. Morocco, Belgium, Norway and Switzerland will try to turn this tournament into a historic run.
Round of 16 results
- France beat Paraguay 1-0
- Morocco beat Canada 3-0
- Spain beat Portugal 1-0
- Belgium beat United States 4-1
- Norway beat Brazil 2-1
- England beat Mexico 3-2
- Argentina beat Egypt 3-2
- Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw
Key players to watch in the quarter-finals
- Erling Haaland: Haaland is the biggest reason Norway are in the quarter-finals. His two goals against Brazil changed the tournament.
- Jude Bellingham: Bellingham scored twice against Mexico and remains central to England’s chances.
- Kylian Mbappe: France will again look to Mbappe for goals and movement against Morocco.
- Lionel Messi: Messi and Argentina remain alive, but Switzerland will test them with a compact defensive style.
- Azzedine Ounahi: Ounahi has been one of Morocco’s key performers and will be important against France.
- Kevin De Bruyne: Belgium will need De Bruyne’s control and passing against Spain.
Source: FIFA World Cup
Also Read Cape Verde Make History as the Smallest Nation Ever to Reach a FIFA World Cup Knockout Stage
What to watch next
The first quarter-final is France vs Morocco. France are one of the favourites, but Morocco have already shown that they can handle pressure in big knockout matches.
The second quarter-final is Spain vs Belgium. Spain have been strong defensively, while Belgium produced a 4-1 win over the United States in the Round of 16.
The third quarter-final is Norway vs England. This is the match many fans will watch closely because of the Haaland vs England storyline. England will also have to deal with the suspension of Jarell Quansah after his red card against Mexico. Reports have also noted that Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James trained separately before the Norway match, giving England a few fitness concerns before the quarter-final.
The fourth quarter-final is Argentina vs Switzerland. Argentina have the bigger names, but Switzerland have shown they can take matches deep and win under pressure.
News4Bharat POV
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached the stage where reputation no longer matters. Brazil, Germany and Portugal are already out. Morocco, Norway and Switzerland have shown that structure, patience and pressure handling can beat bigger names.
The quarter-finals now offer four different stories. France want another deep run. Morocco want to repeat and go beyond their 2022 success. Spain and Belgium meet in a major European clash. England must stop Haaland. Argentina must avoid another scare.
The next four matches will decide the semi-finalists and shape the final week of FIFA World Cup 2026.
