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Quarterfinals Begin Thursday in 2026 World Cup With Eight Teams Left
Ninety-five games have eliminated 40 teams, including co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States plus Brazil and Germany. Argentina, Belgium, England, France, Morocco, Norway, Spain and Switzerland remain.
Jul 8, 8:22 AM·1m read1 source
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The quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup begin Thursday, four weeks after the tournament opened and after 95 matches. ESPN reported that 40 teams have been eliminated, including co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States as well as Brazil and Germany. The eight remaining sides are Argentina, Belgium, England, France, Morocco, Norway, Spain and Switzerland, each three wins from the title.
The final is scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey. 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 from Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé has scored seven goals and recorded two assists in the tournament, bringing his 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, advanced on penalties after a stoppage-time header from Issa Diop, then defeated Canada 3-0. 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.
