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2026 World Cup Knockout Stage Heats Up: Quarterfinals Complete, Semifinals Set
The 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first-ever 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — has reached its most exciting phase. With 100 matches played and 292 goals scored so far, the tournament has drawn a record 6,527,410 spectators across 16 venues, surpassing the previous attendance record set by the 1994 World Cup in the U.S.
After an action-packed group stage that saw debutants Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan make their World Cup bows, the knockout rounds have delivered drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments. All quarterfinal matches concluded on July 11, with the semifinals now set for July 14–15.
Round of 32 Highlights
The new Round of 32 format saw 16 knockout matches played from June 28 to July 3. Among the most thrilling was Germany vs. Paraguay at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. After a 1–1 draw — Kai Havertz scoring for Germany and Julio Enciso equalizing for Paraguay — the match went to penalties, where Paraguay prevailed 4–3 to eliminate the 2014 champions.
In Houston, Brazil edged Japan 2–1 thanks to goals from Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli, with Kaishū Sano scoring for Japan. South Africa’s dream run ended with a 1–0 loss to co-host Canada on a 90th+2 minute winner from Stephen Eustáquio at SoFi Stadium. France thrashed Sweden 3–0 at MetLife Stadium, with Kylian Mbappé among the scorers.
Round of 16 Drama
The Round of 16 (July 4–7) delivered some of the tournament’s biggest stories. At Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Mbappé’s 70th-minute penalty — awarded after VAR intervention — was enough to see France past Paraguay 1–0 in 100°F heat. Paraguayan foul play drew widespread media criticism, with the team committing 13 fouls without a single yellow card.
At NRG Stadium in Houston, Morocco dismantled co-host Canada 3–0 on Independence Day. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice (50′, 82′) and Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time, ending Canada’s historic run as the only co-host to reach the knockout stage.
In the match of the round, Norway shocked Brazil 2–1 at MetLife Stadium. Erling Haaland scored twice in the final 11 minutes (79′, 90′) to cancel out Neymar’s 100th-minute penalty. In an emotional post-match press conference, Neymar announced his retirement from international football, marking the end of Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer’s legendary career with the Seleção.
Quarterfinal Results
The quarterfinals took place July 9–11 across four U.S. venues. France continued their dominant run, defeating Morocco 2–1 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to book their place in the semifinals. Mbappé scored again to keep his tally level with Messi at 8 goals each in the race for the Golden Boot.
Defending champion Argentina — led by the ageless Lionel Messi — also advanced to the final four after eliminating a strong opponent in the quarterfinals. Argentina has looked formidable throughout the tournament, with Messi in brilliant form alongside rising stars Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández.
Top Scorers
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 |
| Kylian Mbappé | France | 8 |
Upcoming Schedule — Semifinals
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 14 | Semifinal 1 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | TBD |
| July 15 | Semifinal 2 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | TBD |
| July 18 | Third Place Match | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL | TBD |
| July 19 | Final | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ | TBD |
Looking Ahead
The semifinals on July 14–15 will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The winners will meet in the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 — which will also feature the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show in World Cup history, produced by Global Citizen and curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, featuring Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
FAQ
Who are the top scorers of the 2026 World Cup?
Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Kylian Mbappé (France) are tied for the Golden Boot with 8 goals each.
Which teams are in the semifinals?
France, Argentina, and two other teams have advanced to the semifinals after the quarterfinals concluded on July 11.
When and where is the 2026 World Cup final?
The final will be played on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
What is the attendance record for this World Cup?
As of July 11, total attendance stands at 6,527,410, breaking the record of 3.6 million set by the 1994 World Cup.