World Cup quarterfinals set with France-Morocco rematch first
The 2026 World Cup is down to eight teams, with France, Spain, England and Argentina among the quarterfinalists.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its quarterfinal stage in the United States, with eight teams left from the expanded 48-team field. Al Jazeera reported that the top four seeds have all survived to this point, setting up four ties across Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Kansas City.
The first quarterfinal brings France and Morocco back together after their 2022 semifinal in Qatar. Al Jazeera reported that France ended Morocco’s run four years ago with a 2-0 win, despite Morocco having more possession, more corners and 10 attempts at goal.
France v Morocco
France and Morocco play Thursday at 20:00 GMT in Boston, according to Al Jazeera. Morocco have changed considerably since 2022: Al Jazeera reported that only nine players from that squad returned for this World Cup, and Mohamed Ouahbi became head coach in March after Walid Regragui’s departure.
Morocco reached this round after beating the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32 and defeating Canada 3-0 in the last 16, Al Jazeera reported. Ismael Saibari left the Canada match injured, while Soufiane Rahimi replaced him after 21 minutes.
France opened with a 3-1 win over Senegal and later beat Iraq, Norway, Sweden and Paraguay, Al Jazeera reported. The France attack features Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and either Desire Doue or Bradley Barcola, while Morocco’s chances are likely tied to goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and counterattacks, according to Al Jazeera’s preview.
Spain v Belgium
Spain face Belgium on Friday at 19:00 GMT in Los Angeles, according to Al Jazeera. Belgium reached the quarterfinals after a slow start that included a draw with Egypt, a goalless match against Iran while down to 10 men, and a win over New Zealand.
Al Jazeera reported that Belgium then came from 2-0 down against Senegal, equalising late before winning in extra time through a Youri Tielemans penalty after a disputed VAR decision. Belgium followed with a 4-1 win over the United States in the last 16.
Spain enter the match without conceding in the tournament, Al Jazeera reported. La Roja have six straight World Cup clean sheets overall, described by Al Jazeera as the longest such run in history, and allowed only two first-half shots on target across five matches.
Norway v England
Norway meet England on Saturday at 21:00 GMT in Miami, according to Al Jazeera. The match also puts Erling Haaland and Harry Kane on the same field in the Golden Boot race.
Al Jazeera reported that Haaland has seven goals in four appearances at the tournament, one behind Lionel Messi and one ahead of Kane. Haaland scored the winner against Ivory Coast and both goals in Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil.
Kane has scored six times, according to Al Jazeera. His goals include two against Croatia, one against Panama, two against DR Congo and a penalty in England’s 3-2 win over co-host Mexico.
Argentina v Switzerland
Argentina play Switzerland on Sunday at 01:00 GMT in Kansas City, according to Al Jazeera. The defending champions reached the quarterfinal after consecutive 3-2 knockout wins over Cape Verde and Egypt.
Al Jazeera reported that Argentina trailed Egypt 2-0 with 11 minutes left before recovering, with another Egypt goal ruled out by VAR. The preview highlighted Egypt winger Haissem Hassan’s threat on the counter against an Argentina team with an average age of 30 years and 173 days.
Switzerland reached their first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954 by beating Colombia in a shootout, Al Jazeera reported. Johan Manzambi’s knee injury and Ruben Vargas’s fitness are key issues for Switzerland, while Argentina have the advantage of a Kansas City training base and prior group-stage matches there, according to Al Jazeera.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.