The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its most thrilling stage yet — the quarter-finals. After a month of incredible football across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the remaining eight teams are battling for a spot in the semi-finals, with the ultimate prize of being crowned world champion on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Spain vs Belgium: The First Quarter-Final
Tonight (July 10), all eyes are on the opening quarter-final clash between two European powerhouses: Spain vs Belgium. The match kicks off at 20:00 BST (3:00 PM ET) and promises to be a tactical masterclass.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente made one significant change from the side that edged past Portugal 1-0 in the round of 32 — dropping Barcelona sensation Pedri to the bench in favor of Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz. The Spanish lineup remains formidable with Rodri anchoring the midfield, Lamine Yamal providing width, and Mikel Oyarzabal leading the attack.
Spain Starting XI: Simon, Cucurella, Laporte, Cubarsi, Porro, Ruiz, Rodri, Baena, Olmo, Yamal, Oyarzabal.
Belgium, meanwhile, welcomes back their talisman Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the convincing 4-1 victory over co-hosts United States in the previous round. Manager Rudi Garcia also brings in Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku to add pace on the flanks. Amadou Onana is the notable absentee through injury.
Belgium Starting XI: Courtois, De Cuyper, Mechele, Ngoy, Castagne, Raskin, Tielemans, Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard, De Ketelaere.
Full Quarter-Final Schedule
The quarter-finals are spread across three days of edge-of-your-seat action:
- Friday, July 10: Spain vs Belgium
- Saturday, July 11: Quarter-final 2 & Quarter-final 3
- Sunday, July 12: Quarter-final 4
The winners will advance to the semi-finals on July 14 and 15, with the grand final set for Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — the first World Cup final to feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show produced by Global Citizen, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and headlined by Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
A Record-Breaking Tournament
The 2026 World Cup has already made history. With 97 matches played and 282 goals scored so far, the tournament shattered the attendance record on June 25, surpassing the 3.6 million mark held by the 1994 USA World Cup. Total attendance now stands at over 6.3 million.
Top scorers Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Kylian Mbappé (France) are tied on 8 goals each, keeping the race for the Golden Boot wide open as their teams advance deeper into the knockout stages.
The expanded 48-team format has delivered drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments — from debutants Cape Verde and Uzbekistan making their mark, to the hosts (USA, Mexico, Canada) all progressing through the group stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Where can I watch Spain vs Belgium live?
The match is available on BBC Sport (UK), Fox Sports (USA), and various FIFA broadcast partners worldwide. Kick-off is at 20:00 BST / 3:00 PM ET.
Upcoming Matches
| Round | Date | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter-final | July 10 | Spain vs Belgium |
| Quarter-final | July 11 | TBD vs TBD |
| Quarter-final | July 12 | TBD vs TBD |
| Semi-final 1 | July 14 | TBD |
| Semi-final 2 | July 15 | TBD |
| Final | July 19 | MetLife Stadium, NJ |