The 2026 FIFA World Cup is reaching boiling point as we enter the quarter-final weekend across North America. France became the first team to book their semi-final ticket after a commanding 2-0 victory over Morocco in Atlanta, while the stage is set for a blockbuster Friday night as Spain take on Belgium in Dallas.
France 2-0 Morocco: Mbappé Delivers When It Matters
Kylian Mbappé produced yet another moment of genius to break Moroccan resistance at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After seeing an early penalty saved by the heroic Yassine Bounou — the first non-shootout penalty save of Bounou’s international career — Mbappé responded in devastating fashion just after the hour mark.
Picking the ball up on the left edge of the box, the French captain unleashed a curling strike at 98 km/h that bent past defender Issa Diop and nestled perfectly inside the far post. It was a goal that left even the Moroccan fans applauding — a finish that only the world’s best can produce when their team needs it most.
Thirteen minutes later, Mbappé turned provider, using defender Noussair Mazraoui as a screen to tee up Ousmane Dembélé, whose low shot crept past Bounou despite the keeper getting a hand to it. France had weathered the storm, and Didier Deschamps’ side now look every bit the tournament favorites.
“We talked about keeping calm after the penalty miss,” Deschamps said post-match. “Kylian has that incredible ability to reset. One moment he’s frustrated, the next he produces something nobody else can.”
What’s Coming Up: The Road to the Final
The knockout bracket is wide open, and the next few days promise edge-of-your-seat drama:
- Spain vs Belgium (Fri 10 Jul, Dallas) — Rudi Garcia’s Belgium have been buoyed by millions of new fans back home, while Spain’s tiki-taka machine cruised past Portugal in the Round of 16. A classic European clash in a Texas cauldron.
- Norway vs England (Sat 11 Jul, New York/New Jersey) — The headline matchup. Erling Haaland vs Jude Bellingham. Former Borussia Dortmund teammates now leading their nations in the biggest game of their lives. Haaland has already fired a warning shot, claiming the pressure is all on England.
- Argentina vs Switzerland (Sun 12 Jul, Los Angeles) — Lionel Messi’s Argentina scraped past Cape Verde in the Round of 16 but will need to raise their game against a Swiss side that knocked out Colombia on penalties.
FAQs
When are the semi-finals?
Semi-final 1 is on Tuesday 14 July (winner of France vs winner of Spain-Belgium), and Semi-final 2 is on Wednesday 15 July (winner of Norway-England vs winner of Argentina-Switzerland).
When and where is the 2026 World Cup Final?
The final kicks off on Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Can France go back-to-back?
France are aiming for their third World Cup in 28 years and look formidable. But with Spain, Belgium, England, Norway, Argentina and Switzerland all still in the hunt, nothing is guaranteed.
Upcoming World Cup 2026 Fixtures (All Times BST)
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 10 Jul, 20:00 | Spain vs Belgium (QF) | Dallas |
| Sat 11 Jul, 22:00 | Norway vs England (QF) | New Jersey |
| Sun 12 Jul, 02:00 | Argentina vs Switzerland (QF) | Los Angeles |
| Tue 14 Jul, 20:00 | Semi-Final 1 | TBD |
| Wed 15 Jul, 20:00 | Semi-Final 2 | TBD |
| Sat 18 Jul | Third Place Play-off | TBD |
| Sun 19 Jul | World Cup Final | MetLife Stadium, NJ |
Stay tuned to PC Master Deals for ongoing World Cup 2026 coverage!