FIFA World Cup 2026: Quarter-final line-up confirmed after thrilling Round of 16
New York: The quarter-final stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is officially set following a dramatic conclusion to the Round of 16. The final two spots in the tournament's last eight were claimed by Argentina and Switzerland after they navigated testing encounters on Tuesday.
Argentina and Switzerland Advance
Argentina produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the tournament against Egypt. Trailing 2-0 with only 11 minutes of normal time remaining, the defending champions rallied through a header from Cristian Romero, a crucial goal from Lionel Messi in the 83rd minute, and a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Enzo Fernández. The 3-2 victory keeps Argentina's title defence alive and sets up a high-profile quarter-final clash.
Switzerland secured their path to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954, edging past Colombia in a tense penalty shootout. After a goalless 120 minutes in Vancouver, the Swiss triumphed 4-3 on spot-kicks, with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel playing a pivotal role in the victory.
The Quarter-Final Fixtures
The quarter-final line-up promises a blend of established heavyweights and emerging contenders:
- France vs Morocco (10 July, 01:30 am): France, led by Kylian Mbappé, will face 2022 semi-finalists Morocco. The match will see Mbappé continue his pursuit of Lionel Messi’s record of 21 World Cup goals.
- Spain vs Belgium (11 July, 12:30 am): Spain, featuring a revitalised squad of young talents including Lamine Yamal and Rodri, will take on a Belgium side anchored by the experience of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
- Norway vs England (11 July, 02:30 am): Having eased past Mexico, England will face Norway, who reached this stage for the first time since 1998, powered by the goal-scoring prowess of Erling Haaland.
- Argentina vs Switzerland (12 July, 06:30 am): The final quarter-final will feature Lionel Messi’s Argentina facing a resilient Switzerland side in Kansas City.
As the tournament progresses, the focus shifts to these four matches, scheduled to be played between July 10 and 12. With four nations still vying for their first-ever World Cup title, the remaining fixtures are poised to be some of the most fiercely contested of the tournament. The semi-finals are set to follow on July 15 and 16, leading up to the grand finale at MetLife Stadium on July 20 (IST).