Eight Teams Reach 2026 World Cup Quarterfinals With Four First-Time Contenders

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has completed 96 games with eight matches left and eight nations still in contention for the title, Al Jazeera reported. The final is scheduled for July 19 in New York/New Jersey. Quarterfinal matchups pit Argentina against Switzerland, England against Norway in Miami, Spain against Belgium on July 10, and France against Morocco.

Four of the remaining teams are seeking a first World Cup title. Switzerland reached the quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years after a group stage draw with Qatar, a round-of-32 win over Algeria and a round-of-16 penalty victory over Colombia. The team lost 20-year-old forward Johan Manzambi to a knee injury sustained in training.

Morocco advanced after group wins over Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, followed by penalty and 3-0 victories over the Netherlands and Canada. Leading scorer Ismael Saibari is injured and unavailable for the quarterfinal against France. Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in the round of 16 on July 6 after earlier penalty and 5-1 group-stage results.

The team trained in the Los Angeles area on July 8 ahead of its quarterfinal against Spain. Norway reached its first quarterfinal after group wins over Iraq and Senegal, a round-of-32 victory over Ivory Coast and a round-of-16 win over Brazil sealed by two late goals.

Erling Haaland has scored seven goals from 18 shots in four matches, while Martin Odegaard and Andreas Schjelderup each have three assists.

Argentina advanced past Egypt in the round of 16 after trailing 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining. Lionel Messi has scored eight goals in the tournament. England defeated Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16 while playing with 10 men for 58 minutes.

Spain has not conceded a goal in five matches and holds six consecutive World Cup clean sheets dating to Qatar 2022. France has allowed two goals in five matches.