The 2026 FIFA World Cup is delivering drama, goals, and unforgettable moments. With the quarter-finals reaching their climax, the football world has its eyes fixed on two blockbuster matchups: England vs Norway and France vs Spain. Here is everything you need to know.
🇳🇴 Norway vs England: Kane vs Haaland — A Battle for the Ages
Saturday showdown between Norway and England at the World Cup quarter-final stage is more than just a match — it is a direct duel between the two deadliest strikers on the planet. Norway Erling Haaland has been unstoppable, scoring in all four matches he has played, netting seven goals in total, and single-handedly carrying his nation to the last eight. England Harry Kane, meanwhile, has six goals of his own and is the steady heartbeat of Thomas Tuchel Three Lions.
The winner of this match will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-final on Wednesday, July 15. Kane, now playing at Bayern Munich, has transformed from the nearly man of his Tottenham days into a serial winner. Haaland, already a legend at Manchester City, is looking to lead Norway to their first-ever World Cup semi-final. The stakes could not be higher.
Speaking on BBC Sport, former England captain Wayne Rooney said: Haaland has given his whole country the belief they can go really far in this competition. Meanwhile, ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart called Haaland an absolute monster after his brace knocked Brazil out of the tournament.
🇫🇷 France vs Spain: A Semi-Final Worthy of a Final
France punched their ticket to the semi-finals thanks to a stunning Kylian Mbappé strike that ended Morocco spirited run. The defending champions now face a supremely confident Spain side that knocked out Belgium with a dramatic late winner. Spain vs France in the semi-final is the kind of fixture that tournament organizers dream of — two of Europe most talented squads going head-to-head for a place in the World Cup final.
Mbappé has embraced a leadership role for Les Bleus, urging humility after France quarter-final triumph. Spain, playing beautiful possession-based football under their current setup, will look to control the tempo and frustrate Mbappé explosive pace on the counter-attack.
🇦🇷 Argentina Keep Showing Heart
Argentina continue to grind through this tournament with grit and determination. Despite some flawed performances, they found a way past Cape Verde and Colombia to reach the quarter-finals against Switzerland. Lionel Scaloni side has shown resilience, but their flaws are apparent ahead of a tough Swiss team that already knocked out Colombia on penalties.
📅 Upcoming World Cup 2026 Schedule (All Times ET)
| Match | Date | Stage |
| Norway vs England | Sat, July 11 | Quarter-Final |
| Argentina vs Switzerland | Sun, July 12 | Quarter-Final |
| Spain vs France | Tue, July 14 | Semi-Final |
| Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2 | Wed, July 15 | Semi-Final |
❓ FAQs
Who is the top scorer at World Cup 2026 so far?
Erling Haaland leads the Golden Boot race with 7 goals, followed closely by Harry Kane with 6 and Kylian Mbappé with 5.
When and where is the 2026 World Cup final?
The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.
Has England ever won the World Cup?
Yes, England won the World Cup once in 1966. They have reached the semi-finals several times since but have not been able to bring the trophy home.