The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered its decisive phase, with the quarter-finals now underway and the race for football’s biggest prize narrowing to just eight nations. France became the first team to secure a place in the semi-finals after defeating Morocco, while Spain, Belgium, England, Norway, Argentina and Switzerland are preparing for the remaining quarter-final ties. According to Reuters, the tournament has continued to deliver dramatic matches, memorable individual performances and a vibrant atmosphere across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
France underlined their credentials as one of the tournament favourites with a composed 2-0 victory over Morocco. According to The Guardian, Kylian Mbappé recovered from the disappointment of missing an early penalty to score the opening goal before Ousmane Dembélé doubled the advantage, sending Didier Deschamps’ side into a third consecutive World Cup semi-final. Reuters also reported that France’s consistent performances have reinforced their status as one of the strongest teams remaining in the competition.
Following the victory, France manager Didier Deschamps praised his squad’s unity and resilience. According to The Guardian, he described Mbappé as “exemplary” for responding positively after his missed spot-kick and highlighted the team’s collective mentality as a key factor behind another deep run in the tournament. Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi acknowledged France’s quality while expressing pride in his players for another impressive World Cup campaign that showcased the nation’s continued growth on the international stage.
Attention now turns to the remaining quarter-finals, beginning with Spain against Belgium. According to Reuters’ World Cup coverage, Spain have impressed with disciplined defensive displays and fluent attacking football throughout the tournament, while Belgium have produced several convincing victories to reach the last eight. The match is widely viewed as one of the standout contests of the quarter-final stage, with both teams possessing the quality and experience to challenge for the title.
Belgium have received a significant morale boost ahead of the match. According to the Times of India, King Philippe visited the national team’s training camp before the quarter-final, encouraging the players and reinforcing the country’s support as they prepare for one of their biggest matches of the tournament. The visit highlighted the excitement surrounding Belgium’s opportunity to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
England’s meeting with Norway is another highly anticipated encounter. England reached the quarter-finals after overcoming Mexico in an entertaining Round of 16 match, while Norway continued their remarkable campaign by eliminating Brazil. Reuters has highlighted Norway’s impressive rise during the tournament, driven by prolific striker Erling Haaland, whose performances have captured international attention and transformed the Scandinavian nation into genuine contenders. According to Reuters, Haaland’s goals and leadership have inspired growing confidence among Norwegian supporters as the team prepares for its biggest World Cup match in decades.
The final quarter-final will see defending champions Argentina face Switzerland. Argentina advanced after defeating Egypt in a thrilling knockout match, while Switzerland progressed through a tense penalty shootout victory over Colombia. According to the Associated Press, Egypt returned home to a hero’s welcome despite their elimination, reflecting the pride generated by the nation’s historic run to the knockout stages. The agency reported that thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate the team’s achievements, even as debate continued over several refereeing decisions during their defeat to Argentina.
Argentina continue to rely on the experience and quality of Lionel Messi, who is competing in a record sixth World Cup. According to Reuters, the 39-year-old has once again been one of the tournament’s defining figures, extending his remarkable scoring record while inspiring his side’s latest campaign. His continued influence has ensured Argentina remain among the favourites to retain the trophy despite the increasingly difficult opposition awaiting them.
The expanded 48-team tournament has produced numerous surprise stories alongside the traditional football powers. Reuters reported that debutants Cape Verde captured the imagination of supporters around the world with an impressive run, while nations such as Morocco and Norway have demonstrated the growing competitiveness of international football. The competition has also been marked by colourful fan celebrations across the three host countries, with supporters creating memorable scenes both inside stadiums and in fan zones.
As the quarter-finals continue, only seven teams remain in contention following France’s progression to the last four. Every remaining match carries enormous significance, with a place in the semi-finals—and the chance to move one step closer to lifting the World Cup trophy—at stake. According to Reuters, the tournament has already provided unforgettable moments on and off the pitch, while reporting from The Guardian and the Associated Press has highlighted both the footballing quality and the emotional stories surrounding the world’s biggest sporting event. With football’s elite now entering the final stages of the competition, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.