Final Four Is Taking Shape: What's Defined the 2026 World Cup

The quarterfinals open tonight in Boston. Only reigning champions Argentina, plus Belgium, England, France, Morocco, Norway, Spain and Switzerland remain in contention for the July 19 final in New Jersey for the final dance.

All the hosts are gone

All three co-hosts are out of the competition. Belgium eliminated the US in the round of 16.

This is the fifth time the American National Team has competed at that stage in six tries since 1994. Canada lost to Morocco, the African Giants, while Mexico fell to England.

Africa is still standing

Morocco carries the region’s hopes. The Atlas Lions are the first African team and nation to reach the quarterfinals in back-to-back World Cups. They face France this evening at 21:00 Moroccan time, in a thrillingly anticipated rematch of the 2022 semifinal in Qatar. Morocco reached this phase by beating Netherlands on penalties, then dismantling co-hosts Canada in a 3-0 display of defensive solidity and ruthless effectiveness in attack.

Breakout stars

The Norwegian side led by Erling Haaland has arrived. The star striker scored twice on his World Cup debut as Norway thumped Iraq 4-1, and later progressed his Golden Boot campaign with a brace against Brazil, pushing his tournament total to seven goals.

Kylian Mbappé is not far behind. He has seven goals and two assists so far, and 19 goals in 19 career World Cup appearances, a record surpassed only by Lionel Messi.

Messi, at 38, is still Messi. He scored the tournament’s first hat trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria, becoming the oldest player ever with that performance at a World Cup.

Watch out for Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi too, the youngest outstanding player who has created headlines in North America. Born in France and once capped by their U21s, he could end up as one of France’s biggest regrets.

The surprises in the tournament

Norway and Switzerland are the new faces at this stage. Norway had escaped the group stage only once in three previous tournaments. Switzerland reached the quarterfinals for the first time in over 70 years.

What’s next

France to meet Morocco, just some hours to go in Boston. Spain will face Belgium on Friday in Los Angeles. Norway is playing England on Saturday in Miami. Argentina faces Switzerland on Saturday in Kansas City. The semifinals follow next week in Dallas and Atlanta.