World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Heats Up: Spain Eliminates Portugal, Belgium Crushes USA as Quarterfinal Lineup Takes Shape
July 7, 2026 — The 2026 FIFA World Cup is reaching its boiling point. With the Round of 16 concluding today, the tournament has already delivered stunning upsets, heartbreaking exits, and the rise of new contenders on home soil.
The expanded 48-team World Cup — the first of its kind — continues to captivate fans across the globe. After 104 total matches across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, only one team will lift the trophy on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Round of 16: Shocks, Drama, and a US Exit
Monday, July 6, was a brutal day for host nation fans. The United States crashed out 4-1 against Belgium in Seattle, a performance manager Mauricio Pochettino called “the worst game in a long time.” Individual errors plagued the USMNT, whose dream of winning a World Cup on home soil ended in a dispiriting defeat.
Earlier that day, Spain edged Portugal 1-0 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — likely the final World Cup appearance for the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who exits the global stage at age 41.
Sunday, July 5, saw two more stunners. Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 at MetLife Stadium, eliminating the five-time champions in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, England survived a 3-2 thriller against Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca to keep their hopes alive.
Quarterfinal Bracket Takes Shape
Four quarterfinal matchups are already confirmed, with two more spots to be decided today:
- July 9 — France vs. Morocco (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA)
- July 10 — Spain vs. Belgium (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA)
- July 11 — Norway vs. England (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL)
- July 11 — Winner of Argentina/Egypt vs. Winner of Switzerland/Colombia (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO)
All quarterfinal matches will be played exclusively in the United States — no Canadian or Mexican venues remain from this stage onward.
What’s at Stake
With the expanded format, a champion now needs to win up to eight matches instead of seven, making this the most grueling World Cup ever. The semifinals are scheduled for July 14 in Dallas and July 15 in Atlanta, leading up to the grand final on July 19.
Can Lionel Messi’s Argentina survive Egypt’s challenge today and keep the dream alive? Will England’s young squad handle the pressure against Norway? And can Belgium build on their demolition of the USA?
The answers are coming fast. Buckle up — the World Cup is just getting started.
FAQ
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Where can I watch the matches in the US?
All matches are broadcast on FOX and FS1 (English) and Telemundo and Universo (Spanish). Streaming is available on Peacock and fuboTV.
Upcoming World Cup 2026 Schedule
- July 7 — Round of 16: Argentina vs. Egypt (12 PM ET) / Switzerland vs. Colombia (4 PM ET)
- July 9 — Quarterfinal: France vs. Morocco (4 PM ET, Boston)
- July 10 — Quarterfinal: Spain vs. Belgium (3 PM ET, Los Angeles)
- July 11 — Quarterfinals double-header (Miami & Kansas City)
- July 14-15 — Semifinals (Dallas & Atlanta)
- July 19 — FINAL (MetLife Stadium, NJ)