The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals get underway on Thursday as France face Morocco in a blockbuster clash, with the remaining eight teams battling for a place in the semi-finals.
After a month of thrilling football, the expanded 48-team tournament has been narrowed down to eight contenders, setting up a star-studded quarter-final line-up.
France, chasing a third FIFA World Cup title, will take on African champions Morocco at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, near Boston.
Les Bleus have been one of the tournament’s standout teams, scoring 14 goals in five matches, with captain Kylian Mbappé accounting for seven of those goals.
Golden Boot race intensifies
Mr Mbappé remains one of the leading contenders for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi currently leads the scoring chart with eight goals, while Mr Mbappé and Norway striker Erling Haaland have seven goals each. England captain Harry Kane follows closely with six goals.
Thursday’s encounter is a repeat of the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Qatar, where France defeated Morocco 2-0 before eventually losing the final to Argentina.
Morocco seek revenge
Morocco have impressed throughout the tournament, progressing comfortably from the group stage before defeating the Netherlands in the Round of 32 and Canada in the Round of 16.
Under head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, the Atlas Lions have combined technical quality, physical strength and tactical discipline to reach the last eight.
The winner will face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals.
Spain face Belgium
European champions Spain will take on Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles.
Spain booked their place in the quarter-finals after defeating Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.
Belgium recovered from a slow start to the tournament, advancing from the group stage before staging a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal in the Round of 32 and defeating the United States 4-1 in the Round of 16.
Argentina battle Switzerland
Defending champions Argentina will face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday.
Argentina survived a major scare in the knockout rounds, edging Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time before producing a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 and secure a place in the quarter-finals.
After the dramatic victory, Mr Messi said the team never wanted their tournament to end.
“We wanted to stay in the tournament. We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home,” he said.
The winner will meet either Norway or England in the semi-finals.
England meet in-form Norway
England reached the quarter-finals after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico, boosting confidence in their bid to win a first major international title since 1966.
Midfielder Jude Bellingham said the victory strengthened the team’s belief that they could go all the way.
“I’m convinced of it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same conviction that they’re top players and we shouldn’t fear anyone,” Mr Bellingham said.
Standing in England’s way is Norway, inspired by the outstanding form of Erling Haaland, who scored both goals in his country’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in the Round of 16.
Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken acknowledged England’s quality but expressed confidence ahead of the tie.
“We have to study England but obviously we have seen them in their previous games in the tournament and they will be a very strong opponent, but hopefully it will be a very even and tight game,” Mr Solbakken said.
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