- Quarter-final schedule (July 10-12) includes France-Morocco, Argentina-Switzerland.
FIFA World Cup 2026: The knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026 have delivered high-octane drama, emotional retirements, and massive upsets. As the thrilling Round of 16 comes to a close, the tournament has reached its business end. Eight elite footballing nations have successfully secured their tickets to the quarter-finals, keeping their dreams of lifting the ultimate golden trophy alive.
In a shocking turn of events, the tournament’s co-hosts the USA, Canada, and Mexico have all been eliminated before reaching the final eight, leaving the tournament wide open for a new champion to emerge.
Top 8 Teams Confirm Their Spots
After grueling Round of 16 encounters, the final eight teams remaining in the tournament are France, Norway, Spain, Morocco, Belgium, England, Argentina, and Switzerland.
The final two spots were decided in spectacular fashion. Argentina narrowly escaped a fierce challenge from Egypt, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory. Meanwhile, Switzerland advanced after a nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Colombia, winning 4-3 after the match ended in a stalemate.
Heartbreak for Ronaldo and Neymar
The pre-quarterfinals witnessed the end of an era for two of modern football’s greatest icons. Brazil’s journey was cut short by a disciplined Norway side in a tight 2-1 defeat. Following the devastating loss, Brazilian superstar Neymar officially announced his retirement from international football.
Similarly, Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream came to an end after Spain defeated Portugal 1-0. Millions of fans worldwide had hoped to see Ronaldo lift the trophy in his final World Cup appearance, but Spain’s rigid defense shattered those aspirations, bringing down the curtain on Ronaldo’s historic international career.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final Schedule
The quarter-final clashes are scheduled to take place between July 10 and July 12 across iconic venues in North America. Here is the complete schedule with Indian Standard Time (IST) details:
France vs. Morocco
Date: July 10, 2026
Venue: Boston Stadium
Time: 1:30 AM IST (Midnight)
Spain vs. Belgium
Date: July 11, 2026
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium
Time: 12:30 AM IST (Midnight)
Norway vs. England
Date: July 12, 2026
Venue: Miami Stadium
Time: 2:30 AM IST
Argentina vs. Switzerland
Date: July 12, 2026
Venue: Kansas City Stadium
Time: 6:30 AM IST
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