The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its thrilling quarter-final stage, with eight teams remaining in the hunt for football’s most prestigious prize. As the tournament hosted across North America intensifies, fans are treated to mouth-watering matchups headlined by England’s blockbuster clash against Norway and France’s showdown with Morocco.
Norway vs England: The Haaland-Bellingham Spectacle
All eyes are on Saturday night’s mammoth quarter-final in Miami between England and Norway, a match that pits two of world football’s brightest stars against each other: England’s Jude Bellingham and Norway’s Erling Haaland.
England advanced to the last eight after a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Bellingham delivered a masterclass, scoring twice before Harry Kane added a penalty to seal the win — this despite Jarell Quansah’s red card leaving Thomas Tuchel’s men to defend with 10 men for the final half-hour. It has been hailed as England’s finest knockout victory since 1966.
Norway, meanwhile, caused the biggest shock of the tournament by eliminating Brazil in the Round of 16. Erling Haaland scored a stunning double in the final 10 minutes to overturn the five-time champions, sending the Nordic nation to their first-ever World Cup quarter-final. Haaland now has seven goals in the tournament and 30 in his last 17 competitive appearances for Norway.
England face a potential injury concern, however, with right-back Reece James reportedly unable to train fully with the squad ahead of the match. The position has been a persistent headache for Tuchel throughout the tournament.
France vs Morocco: Mbappé Leads the Charge
Thursday evening sees defending champions France take on Morocco in what promises to be a fascinating tactical battle. Kylian Mbappé has been in scintillating form, with pundits calling him the tournament’s standout performer.
A minor controversy surrounds the officiating — the match will be overseen by an all-Argentinian refereeing team, a decision France manager Didier Deschamps has publicly accepted. “We have to deal with it,” he stated.
Spain vs Belgium and Argentina vs Switzerland
Friday’s quarter-final sees Spain face Belgium in a classic European rivalry, while Argentina take on Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday morning. Argentina survived an almighty scare against Egypt in the last 16, requiring a controversial 3-2 comeback win.
FAQ
When and where is the World Cup 2026 final?
The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Who are the favorites to win the World Cup?
France remain the defending champions and strong contenders. England’s resurgent form and Norway’s giant-killing run make them dark horses. Spain’s technical quality and Argentina’s resilience also cannot be discounted.
Upcoming Quarter-Final Schedule
- Thursday, July 9 — France vs Morocco (21:00 BST / 4:00 PM ET)
- Friday, July 10 — Spain vs Belgium (20:00 BST / 3:00 PM ET)
- Saturday, July 11 — Norway vs England (22:00 BST / 5:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, July 12 — Argentina vs Switzerland (02:00 BST / Sat 9:00 PM ET)
Semi-finals follow on July 14 and 15, with the third-place playoff on July 18 before the grand final on July 19.