The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals kicked off in dramatic fashion on Thursday as France became the first team to punch their ticket to the semifinals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored second-half goals to seal the win for Les Bleus, who now await the winner of Friday’s blockbuster clash between Spain and Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
France 2-0 Morocco — Match Recap
After a tight first half in which Morocco defended resolutely, France’s quality eventually told after the break. Mbappé opened the scoring in the 54th minute with his fifth goal of the tournament — a stunning curler past Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou — remarkably recovering from a missed first-half penalty earlier in the match.
Dembélé doubled the lead in the 72nd minute, cutting inside from the right flank and unleashing a low drive that nestled into the far corner. Morocco pushed forward in the final 15 minutes but could not find a way past French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who recorded his fourth clean sheet of the competition.
France’s victory extends their remarkable World Cup record — they have now reached the semifinals in four of the last five editions, having won the trophy in 2018 and finished as runners-up in 2022.
Spain vs Belgium: Quarterfinal Showdown in Los Angeles
All eyes now turn to Friday, July 10, when Spain and Belgium meet at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) in Inglewood, California, with kickoff at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT.
Spain enter as the only team in the tournament yet to concede a goal. Luis de la Fuente’s side has kept five consecutive clean sheets, including a gritty 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16 — a match that ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup campaign. Mikel Oyarzabal leads La Roja with four goals, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has completed a tournament-high 17 dribbles.
Belgium arrive in red-hot form after dismantling co-host USA 4-1 in the Round of 16, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice. The Red Devils are on an 18-match unbeaten run across all competitions, but they will be without midfielder Amadou Onana, who is out for the tournament with an ACL injury.
The winner faces France in the semifinals on July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
Quarterfinal Schedule & Results
| Match | Date | Venue | Result/Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| France vs Morocco | Thu, Jul 9 | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough | France 2-0 ✅ |
| Spain vs Belgium | Fri, Jul 10 | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 3:00 PM |
| Norway vs England | Sat, Jul 11 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | 5:00 PM |
| Argentina vs Switzerland | Sat, Jul 11 | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City | 9:00 PM |
What’s Next?
The semifinals are set for July 14 (Dallas) and July 15 (Atlanta), with the grand final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With defending champions Argentina still alive and European heavyweights France, Spain, and England all in the mix, this World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in history.
FAQ
Q: When is the World Cup 2026 final?
A: The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Q: Which teams have reached the quarterfinals?
A: The eight quarterfinalists are: France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland.
Q: Where can I watch the World Cup 2026 in the US?
A: All matches are broadcast on FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), with streaming available on FOX Sports and Peacock.
Q: Who is the top scorer so far?
A: Kylian Mbappé leads the Golden Boot race with 5 goals, followed by Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal (4) and England’s Harry Kane (4).