World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals — France and Spain Set Up a Dream Semi-Final as Co-Host Heartbreak Continues

July 11, 2026 · 9 min read

Two quarter-finals down, two to go. France brushed aside Morocco 2-0 and Spain edged Belgium 2-1 to set up a blockbuster semi-final, while Norway face England and Argentina meet Switzerland tonight for the remaining two spots. Here is what the quarter-finals have delivered so far and what the semi-final bracket looks like.

The Confirmed Semi-Final: France vs Spain

The first semi-final is set, and it is a clash of titans. France and Spain will meet at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on July 14, and both earned their places through very different quarter-final performances. This will be the first World Cup meeting between these two nations since the 2006 group stage, and the stakes could not be higher.

France 2-0 Morocco — Clinical Efficiency

France did not need to be spectacular. They needed to be ruthless, and they were. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a trademark burst of pace and a low finish past Yassine Bounou, and Ousmane Dembélé sealed the win in the 67th minute with a curling effort from the edge of the box that nestled into the bottom corner.

Morocco, who had already eliminated Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16 and survived a penalty shootout against the Netherlands in the Round of 32, were not outclassed. They had 44% possession and created two clear chances that Hugo Lloris saved — a Hakim Ziyech free kick tipped over the bar and a Youssef En-Nesyri header from close range. But France's defensive structure, marshalled by Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté, was too organized to break down consistently.

This is France's third consecutive World Cup semi-final — a run that includes the 2018 title and the 2022 runner-up finish. Didier Deschamps' side have conceded just one goal in four knockout matches in open play. Mbappé now has eight goals in the tournament, leading the Golden Boot race by one goal over Erling Haaland.

Spain 2-1 Belgium — The Comeback Kings

Spain had to work harder. Belgium, who had already eliminated the United States 4-1 in a dominant Round of 16 display, took the lead through Romelu Lukaku in the 38th minute — his 50th international goal. For 34 minutes, it looked like Belgium's golden generation would finally break through to a World Cup semi-final after years of near-misses.

Then Lamine Yamal happened. The 19-year-old Barcelona winger, who has been the breakout star of the tournament, equalised in the 72nd minute with a left-footed strike from 20 yards that Thibaut Courtois got a hand to but could not keep out. Mikel Oyarzabal — who scored twice against Austria in the Round of 32 — headed home the winner in the 88th minute from a Pedri free kick, sending the Spanish contingent at SoFi Stadium into delirium.

Spain's path to the semi-final has been the most convincing of any team in the tournament. They beat Austria 3-0, Portugal 1-0, and now Belgium 2-1 — three top-15 FIFA-ranked opponents without needing extra time or penalties. Luis Enrique's side have scored 10 goals in four knockout matches and conceded just two. Their pressing intensity has not dropped below 85% across any match.

Tonight's Quarter-Finals: The Remaining Two Spots

Norway vs England — Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens (July 11, 6pm ET)

Norway's run has been the story of the knockout stage. After beating Ivory Coast 2-1 in the Round of 32 (Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland scoring), they stunned Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16. Haaland's 86th-minute winner against Ivory Coast and his brace against Brazil have made him the tournament's second-top scorer with seven goals.

England, meanwhile, have been grinding. They needed two late Harry Kane goals to beat DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32, then came from behind to defeat Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16 after trailing 2-0 at half-time. Gareth Southgate's side have not kept a clean sheet in the knockout stage, but their ability to find goals in the final 15 minutes has been decisive — five of their eight knockout goals have come after the 70th minute.

The tactical question is whether England's defence can contain Haaland. Norway play direct, fast football — long balls to Haaland, quick transitions through Nusa on the wing. England's centre-back pairing of John Stones and Marc Guéhi will need to be at their best. One concern for England: Jarell Quansah is suspended after receiving a red card against Mexico, weakening the defensive depth.

If England win, they face Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-final on July 15 in Atlanta. If Norway win, they face Argentina or Switzerland — and a potential Haaland vs Messi semi-final that would be the most anticipated individual matchup of the tournament.

Argentina vs Switzerland — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (July 11, 9pm ET)

Argentina needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32 (Messi, Lautaro Martínez, and an own goal) and then defeated Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16. Lionel Messi has been involved in five of Argentina's eight knockout goals — three scored, two assisted. At 39 years old, this is almost certainly his last World Cup, and he is playing with the urgency of a man who knows it.

Switzerland have been the tournament's most resilient side. They beat Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32, then held Colombia to a 0-0 draw and won the penalty shootout 4-3. Yann Sommer was the hero, saving two penalties. Switzerland's defensive record — one goal conceded in four knockout matches — is the best in the tournament.

The contrast in styles is stark. Argentina want to control possession and create through Messi's vision and Julián Álvarez's movement. Switzerland want to absorb pressure, stay compact, and strike on the counter through Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye. If Switzerland can keep Messi quiet for 90 minutes, they have a genuine chance of reaching their first-ever World Cup semi-final.

The Co-Host Curse: All Three Eliminated

The biggest storyline of the knockout stage is the complete elimination of all three co-host nations. The United States lost 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16. Canada lost 3-0 to Morocco. Mexico lost 3-2 to England after taking a 2-0 lead.

Mexico's exit was the cruelest. They led England 2-0 at half-time through goals from Quiñones and Jiménez, only for Harry Kane to score twice in the final 15 minutes and force extra time, where England scored the winner. Mexico have now been eliminated in the Round of 16 or earlier in seven of their last eight World Cups.

The United States' loss was the most comprehensive. Belgium's 4-1 victory — powered by a Lukaku brace and goals from Tielemans and De Bruyne — was the biggest margin of defeat for any co-host nation in World Cup knockout stage history. The US had topped Group D with two wins, but Belgium's quality was a step too far.

The co-hosts' combined knockout record: three matches played, three losses, eight goals conceded, three scored. The home advantage that carried them through the group stage evaporated when the stakes rose and the opponents improved.

The Upset Factor: Who Saw This Coming?

The knockout stage has produced results that no major prediction model forecasted:

• Germany out on penalties: The pre-tournament favourites lost to Paraguay in a shootout after a 1-1 draw. Germany have now failed to reach the quarter-finals in three of their last four World Cups.
• Netherlands out on penalties: Morocco's 3-2 shootout win eliminated the Dutch, who had topped their group unbeaten. Morocco's comeback — Diop's 90+1st-minute equalizer — was one of the knockout stage's most dramatic moments.
• Norway beat Brazil: Erling Haaland's two goals knocked out the five-time champions. Brazil have not reached the semi-finals since 2014, a 12-year drought that will sting.
• Cape Verde push Argentina to extra time: The tiny island nation — population 600,000 — led Argentina 2-1 before Lautaro Martínez's 92nd-minute equaliser and an own goal in the 111th minute.
• Egypt beat Australia on penalties: Mohamed Salah's Egypt survived a penalty shootout to advance, setting up their Round of 16 clash with Argentina.

Golden Boot Race Update

The quarter-finals have reshaped the scoring charts:

• Kylian Mbappé (France) — 8 goals: Two in the QF, two in the R32, four in the group stage. Still playing.
• Erling Haaland (Norway) — 7 goals: Two in the R16, one in the R32, four in the group stage. Still playing (faces England tonight).
• Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 6 goals: One in the R32, five in the group stage. Still playing (faces Switzerland tonight).
• Harry Kane (England) — 5 goals: Two in the R32, one in the R16, two in the group stage. Still playing (faces Norway tonight).
• Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) — 5 goals: Two in the R32, one in the QF, two in the group stage. Still playing in the semi-final.

Mbappé leads, but Haaland can close the gap tonight. If Norway beat England, the semi-final between France and Norway could be a Golden Boot decider between the tournament's two deadliest finishers.

Semi-Final Preview: What We Know

France vs Spain (July 14, AT&T Stadium, Arlington): A repeat of the Euro 2024 semi-final, which Spain won 2-1. France have the individual brilliance of Mbappé and Dembélé; Spain have the collective pressing and tactical flexibility of Luis Enrique. Spain's 10-goal knockout haul is the best in the tournament; France's one-goal concession in open play is the tightest. Something has to give.

Winner of Norway/England vs Winner of Argentina/Switzerland (July 15, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta): If Norway and Argentina win, it is Haaland vs Messi — the two best strikers of their generation meeting in a World Cup semi-final. If England and Switzerland win, it is a repeat of the Euro 2020 Round of 16, which England won on penalties. Either way, this semi-final promises drama.

Key Takeaways

• France vs Spain is confirmed — a repeat of the Euro 2024 semi-final, with both sides in commanding knockout form.
• All three co-hosts are out — the United States, Canada, and Mexico were all eliminated in the Round of 16.
• Norway's run is the knockout stage's biggest story — Haaland has scored seven goals and knocked out five-time champions Brazil.
• Mbappé leads the Golden Boot with 8 goals — Haaland (7) can close the gap tonight against England.
• Tonight's QFs decide the semi-final bracket — Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland kick off at 6pm and 9pm ET.
• The expanded 48-team format has delivered — debutants Cape Verde and DR Congo pushed Argentina and England to the wire, and Paraguay knocked out Germany on penalties.