What to know about the World Cup quarterfinals bracket
The FIFA World Cup brackets narrowed to seven teams on July 9 after France beat Morocco 2-0 in Foxborough, becoming the first semifinalist of the 2026 tournament with three quarterfinals still ahead across California, Florida and Missouri. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored as Les Bleus became the only team to win all six matches without extra time. Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland remain three wins from the July 19 final in New Jersey.
Key Takeaways
- France is the first team through to the semifinals after a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Morocco on Thursday, July 9.
- Three quarterfinals remain: Spain vs. Belgium on July 10, Norway vs. England and Argentina vs. Switzerland on July 11.
- Four nations in the bracket have won the World Cup before; Belgium, Morocco, Norway and Switzerland are still chasing a first title.
- Brazil and Germany are both out before the quarterfinals for the first time in the same tournament, according to FIFA.
- France will face the Spain-Belgium winner on July 14; the other semifinal pits the Norway-England and Argentina-Switzerland winners on July 15.
Which teams remain in the FIFA World Cup brackets?
After 95 matches since the tournament opened on June 11, the field has narrowed from 48 nations to seven still alive. France became the first semifinalist by beating Morocco 2-0, leaving Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland in the hunt.
According to ABC News, the quarterfinal lineup includes four former champions—Argentina (three titles), France (two), plus England and Spain—and four nations still seeking a first crown. Morocco, the last African team standing, fell short of repeating its historic 2022 semifinal run.
France is the only side to win all six matches without needing extra time, per Bleacher Report. It is also France's third straight World Cup semifinal.
When are the remaining World Cup quarterfinal matches?
The quarterfinal window runs from July 9 through July 11 across four U.S. states. France opened the round with a 4 p.m. ET win in Foxborough; the remaining fixtures are:
- Spain vs. Belgium — Friday, July 10, 3 p.m. ET at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California.
- Norway vs. England — Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. ET at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
- Argentina vs. Switzerland — Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m. ET at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Norway-England clash lands in South Florida. For more offbeat coverage from the Sunshine State, browse our Bizarre News & Florida Man section.
Semifinals follow on July 14 and 15, with the final on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How have these quarterfinalists finished at past World Cups?
ABC News notes that Belgium and Morocco have never advanced beyond the semifinals, while Switzerland's last quarterfinal appearance came when it hosted in 1954. Norway had never reached this stage before 2026, previously exiting in the round of 16.
France is chasing a third title after winning in 2018 and finishing as 2022 runners-up to Argentina on penalties. Morocco sought revenge for a 2022 semifinal loss to France but could not break through despite Yassine Bounou denying Mbappé from the penalty spot in the first half.
Spain's lone World Cup triumph came in 2010—the last nation to win a first-time title, per ABC. Argentina enters as defending champion with Lionel Messi on eight goals, while England's lone title dates to 1966.
What do predictions and odds say about the bracket?
Before kickoff, ESPN reported DraftKings listed France as a -370 favorite over Morocco; Spain (-340) and England (-225) were also favored, with Argentina at -275 against Switzerland. ESPN writers largely predicted France 2-0 Morocco—a result that played out exactly.
Spain arrive unbeaten and yet to concede, while Belgium have rallied late in multiple knockout games. The Norway-England matchup pairs Erling Haaland's seven goals against Harry Kane's six in what ESPN called a "fire vs. fire" contest. Argentina have needed late heroics in both knockout rounds, yet Messi keeps the holders dangerous against a Swiss side that reached its first quarterfinal since 1954.
With France already booked for the semifinals, the updated FIFA World Cup brackets now hinge on three matches across California, Florida and Missouri.