2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals: France plays Morocco, Belgium among final eight
Eight teams remain from the 48 that started the 2026 World Cup in the United States; France meets Morocco in a 2022 semi-final rematch; Belgium eliminated co-host USA in the round of 16; quarterfinal matches run July 9-11
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Summary
The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals begin July 9 across US venues, reducing 48 original entrants to eight. [[France]] and [[Morocco]] meet in a replay of their 2022 semi-final. Co-host United States is already out, eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16, where Malik Tillman scored on a direct free kick and Pochettino set a record with three World Cup wins as USMNT head coach. Quarterfinal matches run July 9-11, with the semifinals to follow later in the week.
Why it matters
The USA's exit as host shifts the commercial and emotional weight of the tournament away from the domestic audience. The France-Morocco quarter-final is the most watched rematch in this bracket, drawing on the narrative from 2022 when the two sides last met at this stage.
What to watch
- Whether Morocco can advance past France for the first time in a World Cup knockout match
- Attendance and broadcast numbers in the USA with the host now eliminated
- The bracket path to the final and which of the eight remaining sides reaches the July 19 championship