World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals: The Complete Guide to the Last Eight

Eight teams remain at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the quarter-finals may be the strongest last-eight lineup in a generation: the reigning champions, the European champions, the tournament's two great giant-killers, and the last standard-bearer of Arab and African football. Here is your complete guide to every tie — the storylines, the form, and what's at stake — with every match live on KickD.

France vs Morocco — Thursday, July 9

The rematch the Arab world has circled since Qatar. In December 2022, France ended Morocco's historic semi-final run 2–0; three and a half years later the Atlas Lions return as heavyweights, not underdogs. Walid Regragui's side are unbeaten in ninety minutes all tournament — they held Brazil, knocked out the Netherlands on penalties, and dismantled co-hosts Canada 3–0 behind an Azzedine Ounahi masterclass. France have simply won every game: five from five, with Kylian Mbappé's penalty enough to grind past Paraguay in the last sixteen. After Egypt's exit, Morocco carry the hopes of the entire region into this one. Our full preview, the numbers and the fan vote live on the France vs Morocco hub.

Norway vs England — Saturday, July 11

Nobody predicted this pairing in the bracket's top half. Norway — at their first World Cup since 1998 — produced the shock of the tournament, beating Brazil 2–1 with two late Erling Haaland goals after Bruno Guimarães missed a first-half penalty. England needed a very different kind of heroism: 2–0 up on Mexico through Jude Bellingham's three-minute double, reduced to ten men by Jack Quansah's red card, and forced to survive a furious final half-hour to win 3–2. Now Haaland faces the country where he became the world's most feared striker, against an England side that has shown it can win pretty and win ugly in the same night.

Spain vs Belgium

A collision of Europe's two most fluent passing sides. Spain needed until the 91st minute to break Portugal in the Iberian derby — Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner sparing them extra time — while Belgium produced the most complete team performance of the round, dismantling the USA 4–1 behind a Charles De Ketelaere masterclass: two goals, one assist, and complete control. Spain's patience against Belgium's precision is the neutral's dream tie of the round.

Argentina vs Switzerland — Saturday, July 12

The champions are through — barely, and unforgettably. Egypt led Argentina 2–0 with twenty-three minutes left, Lionel Messi having missed a first-half penalty, before Messi created one goal, scored another, and Enzo Fernández completed the cruelest comeback of the World Cup in the 92nd minute. Their reward is Switzerland, who outlasted Colombia in a goalless war of attrition and won the shootout 4–3 — relentlessly organised, impossible to break down, and ice-cold from twelve yards. The Swiss will have watched Egypt's blueprint with great interest: the champions can be led. Finishing them is another matter entirely.

How the road ends

The quarter-finals run July 9–11, the semi-finals follow on July 14–15, and the final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Every match streams live on KickD's scoreboards with goal alerts the second the net moves — and the Score Predictor league is open for every remaining tie: exact score is worth 3 points, the right result 1, and the KickD Desk's picks are waiting to be beaten.

One number to carry into the weekend: of the eight teams left, only Morocco have not conceded a knockout goal in ninety minutes. The Atlas Lions do not just carry a region's hopes — they arrive with the tightest defense in the tournament.

Follow every quarter-final live on KickD — real-time scores, the bracket, goal alerts, and original reports at the final whistle, in English and Arabic.

KickD Sports Desk

Our editorial team covers Arab football and the FIFA World Cup 2026 live on kickd.net — real-time scores, group standings, and match analysis updated around the clock.

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Real-time scores for every World Cup 2026 match on KickD