FIFA 2026 Quarter Finals: Fixtures, Preview & Predictions
Introduction
Eight teams qualify for the quarter-finals at FIFA 2026 through outstanding displays and remarkable knockouts. The countries participating in the knockouts and fighting for the World Cup final include France, Morocco, Spain, and Belgium. Similarly, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland. All the countries have followed a unique route to be where they are today. They all display the necessary qualities and strength to survive the knockout stages.
The established teams, such as France, Spain, England, and Argentina, still try to capture their next world title. In contrast, countries like Morocco, Belgium, Norway, and Switzerland attempt to create history by delivering great quarterfinal performances. Every game of the FIFA 2026 World Cup becomes a challenge as of now. Due to different approaches to football and outstanding athletes involved in it. Particularly because there is no space for errors, as the competition levels up.
The road to the FIFA 2026 quarter-finals has been exciting, surprising, and full of good football. France has been one of the teams in contention for the World Cup title from the start. The team won against Sweden in the Round of 32 convincingly. In addition, the team got past Paraguay to set up a quarter-final tie.
Morocco has continued with its excellent performance at the World Cup tournament through brave play. The team won against the Netherlands in a thrilling penalty shootout before going on to beat Canada 3-0.
Spain has been impressive through its possession football style. Spain easily beat Austria in the Round of 32. The team has gone past Portugal in a tough Round of 16 encounter.
Belgium has shown great attack and clinical finish in each knockout game. Belgium beat Senegal in an exciting encounter. Then, they delivered an emphatic 4-1 win over the United States.
Norway has turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. They first beat the Ivory Coast and then surprised Brazil in the Round of 16. England have been impressive with their resilience and attacking play. They first beat DR Congo before beating Mexico in a thrilling knockout game.
Argentina has provided great entertainment for the viewers with their attacking football style in the tournament. They first beat Cape Verde and then beat Egypt in a great game. Switzerland has reached the quarter-finals with its great defense. They first beat Algeria and then beat Colombia in a tough penalty shootout.
FIFA 2026 quarter-final fixtures are going to provide four exciting games among worthy teams. Every team is very close to World Cup glory.
FIFA 2026 Quarter-finals Schedules
France vs Morocco
Date: 09 July 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 04:00 PM ET | 01:00 PM PT | 01:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Boston Stadium, Foxborough
Spain vs Belgium
Date: 10 July 2026 (Friday)
Time: 03:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT | 12:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood
Norway vs England
Date: 11 July 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 05:00 PM ET | 02:00 PM PT | 02:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens
Argentina vs Switzerland
Date: 11 July 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 09:00 PM ET | 06:00 PM PT | 06:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City
Match Previews
France vs Morocco
Date: 09 July 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 04:00 PM ET | 01:00 PM PT | 01:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Boston Stadium, Foxborough
Expected lineups for the FIFA 2026 quarter-finals
France
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Mike Maignan
Defenders
Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne
Defensive Midfielders
Kouadio Koné, Adrien Rabiot
Attacking Midfielders
Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola
Striker
Kylian Mbappé
Morocco
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Yassine Bounou
Defenders
Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui
Defensive Midfielders
Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui
Attacking Midfielders
Brahim Díaz, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss
Striker
Soufiane Rahimi
Team Analysis
France is one of the teams to watch in the FIFA 2026 quarter-finals. Because of their strong showings in the group and knockout stages of the tournament. The forwards have been lethal, and the defense has been solid under pressure. France comfortably beat Sweden before winning their Round of 16 fixture against Paraguay through a tough fight.
On the other hand, Morocco has once again shown itself to be one of the best sides in world football. They beat the Netherlands in a hard-fought penalty shootout. Similarly, they put on another strong showing by beating Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16.
The game is sure to offer some interesting tactical struggles in the field. France will try to dominate possession, and Morocco hopes to make use of spaces on the counterattack.
The Pick: France
Spain vs Belgium
Date: 10 July 2026 (Friday)
Time: 03:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT | 12:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood
Expected lineups for the FIFA 2026 quarter-finals
Spain
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Unai Simón
Defenders
Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella
Defensive Midfielders
Rodri, Pedri
Attacking Midfielders
Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena
Striker
Mikel Oyarzabal
Belgium
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois
Defenders
Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Timothy Castagne, Maxim De Cuyper
Defensive Midfielders
Youri Tielemans, Nicolas Raskin
Attacking Midfielders
Jérémy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard
Striker
Charles De Ketelaere
Team Analysis
It is one of the most highly anticipated quarter-finals at the FIFA 2026 between Spain and Belgium. The Spaniards continue to play their own style of passing football throughout the tournament. They confidently beat Austria and then outplayed Portugal in the highly disciplined Round of 16 clash.
Belgium became one of the steadiest sides of the tournament. They were fortunate to survive in the entertaining game against Senegal. They convincingly won their Round of 16 fixture, beating the United States 4-1. The Belgian attacking side managed to combine speed, technique, and accuracy.
The midfield duel will become the key to success for both teams. Spain would try to keep possession of the ball, and Belgium would play fast transitions and direct football. Both of the teams possess players who can make the difference when it really matters.
Analysts and the audience of both teams can expect a strong battle technically from both sides.
The Pick: Spain
Norway vs England
Date: 11 July 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 05:00 PM ET | 02:00 PM PT | 02:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens
Expected lineups for the FIFA 2026 quarter-finals
Norway
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Ørjan Nyland
Defenders
Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjørn Heggem, David Wolfe
Midfielders
Sander Berge, Patrick Berg, Martin Ødegaard
Forwards
Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth
England
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford
Defenders
Djed Spence, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly
Defensive Midfielders
Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson
Attacking Midfielders
Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka
Striker
Harry Kane
Team Analysis
Without a doubt, Norway is one of the biggest surprises in FIFA 2026. They defeated the Ivory Coast in the Round of 32. Then stunned the world by defeating Brazil in the Round of 16 due to their solid defense and counterattacks.
England comes into this fixture confident after winning 3-2 against DR Congo and Mexico in the Round of 16. The attack of England has been creating chances, and the experience of their players has helped them under pressure.
This is going to be a game in which both teams will use different strategies. Norway will play tight and counterattack. Meanwhile, England will try to dominate possession and press their opponents in the final third. Set pieces will be very important in this game for both sides, as they are good in the air.
England’s playing level in this type of game could make all the difference.
The Pick: England
Argentina vs Switzerland
Date: 11 July 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 09:00 PM ET | 06:00 PM PT | 06:30 AM IST (Next day)
Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister
Forwards
Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás González
Switzerland
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Gregor Kobel
Defenders
Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodríguez, Denis Zakaria
Defensive Midfielders
Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka
Attacking Midfielders
Fabian Rieder, Rubén Vargas, Dan Ndoye
Striker
Breel Embolo
Team Analysis
Argentina enters this FIFA 2026 quarter-final having made a lot of entertainment with their excellent attacking displays in this tournament. First, they beat Cape Verde in the Round of 32 stage, and then they got past Egypt in another exciting knockout match. Argentina has still managed to combine its attacking powers with creativity and technical skills.
Switzerland is able to reach this quarter-final stage thanks to its excellent defending as well as good organization. First, they defeated Algeria in the round of 32. Then they made a clean sheet against Colombia before beating them in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16.
Argentina is likely to control the game and create many opportunities. Meanwhile, Switzerland will not have any difficulties showing patience against superior attacking sides.
The clash between Argentina’s attacking skills and Switzerland’s solid defense will certainly be one of the most interesting quarter-final games.
The Pick: Argentina
Conclusion
There is going to be another batch of four great football matches in the FIFA 2026 Quarter Finals. This will showcase some of the finest football teams in the world. While France, Spain, England, and Argentina will be favored going into the matches with strong confidence. Morocco, Belgium, Norway, and Switzerland have proved that they can go toe-to-toe with the best football teams. Each team has qualified by being very determined and tactically and technically disciplined. They are producing spectacular matches during the entire tournament. With only four spots left in the FIFA 2026 semifinals, every goal, save, and tactical move will be extremely crucial. Fans of football are in for a treat with four intense, dramatic, and highly skillful matches.