2026 World Cup Quarterfinals Begin With 8 Teams Left After 95 Games
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 9
2026 World Cup Quarterfinals Begin With 8 Teams Left After 95 Games
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 9
Summary
Eight teams open the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday, leaving each side three wins from the title match in New Jersey on July 19.
Ninety-five games and four weeks of play have cut the field from 48 to 8, eliminating co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States along with powers Brazil and Germany.
Argentina, the defending champion, remains alive with Belgium, England, France, Morocco, Norway, Spain and Switzerland.
France and Spain enter as the most convincing quarterfinalists, while Argentina have leaned on Lionel Messi's 8 goals and Norway on Erling Haaland's 7 in deeper, shakier runs.