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2026 World Cup Quarterfinals Begin Thursday After Co-Hosts and Brazil Eliminated
Ninety-five matches have been played and 40 teams eliminated, including co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States plus Brazil and Germany. Argentina, Belgium, England, France, Morocco, Norway, Spain and Switzerland remain, with the final scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey.
Jul 8, 8:03 PM·1m read1 source
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The quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup begin on Thursday, ESPN reported. Ninety-five games have been completed and 40 teams eliminated, among them co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States as well as Brazil and Germany. The remaining sides are Argentina, Belgium, England, France, Morocco, Norway, Spain and Switzerland, each three victories from the title.
Argentina enters as the reigning champion. France has won all five of its matches, scoring 14 goals. It defeated Senegal 3-1, Iraq 3-0 and Norway 4-1 in the group stage, then beat Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32 and Paraguay in the round of 16 on a second-half penalty by Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé has scored seven goals and recorded two assists in the tournament, bringing his career World Cup total to 19 goals in 19 appearances. Ousmane Dembélé has four goals and two assists, while Michael Olise has five assists. Morocco advanced after a 1-1 draw with Brazil, a 1-0 win over Scotland and a 4-2 victory against Haiti in the group stage.
It drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in the round of 16, took the match to extra time on a stoppage-time header by Issa Diop and won the penalty shootout 3-2. Morocco then defeated Canada 3-0 in Houston in the round of 16. Ismael Saibari scored three group-stage goals for Morocco, and Achraf Hakimi has one goal and two assists.
France defeated Morocco in the 2022 World Cup semifinals. The 2026 final is set for July 19 in New Jersey.
