Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Wednesday 8 July 2026, the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end as the final four knockout matches completed the quarter-final line-up.
Chronicle.lu has prepared an overview of the quarter-final fixtures and how the Round of 16 results shaped the road to the semi-finals. Europe (UEFA) remains the best-represented confederation with six teams despite the eliminations of Belgium and Switzerland. South America (CONMEBOL) has three representatives remaining, while Africa (CAF) is represented solely by Morocco after Egypt's elimination. North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) no longer has any representatives following the exits of co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States, while Asia (AFC) had already been eliminated in the previous round.
Morocco Advance, France Await in Quarter-Finals
Morocco continued their remarkable FIFA World Cup run by defeating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in Houston. The hosts produced a competitive performance for much of the match, but a second-half brace from Azzedine Ounahi broke Canadian resistance before Soufiane Rahimi sealed the victory deep into stoppage time. The Atlas Lions will now face France in Boston at 22:00 on Thursday 9 July 2026.
France reached the quarter-finals after edging Paraguay 1-0 in Philadelphia. Kylian Mbappé converted a second-half penalty to settle the contest, with his strike around the 70-minute mark proving enough to send Les Bleus into the last eight.
Norway Knock Out Brazil, England Advance
One of the biggest surprises of the Round of 16 came in New York/New Jersey, where Norway defeated five-time world champions Brazil 2-1. Erling Haaland scored twice to send the Scandinavians through, while Neymar's goal, his 80th for Brazil, proved only a consolation. Brazil have now failed to eliminate European opposition in the World Cup knockout stages since 2006.
Norway will now meet England in Miami at 23:00 on Saturday 11 July 2026. The Three Lions overcame co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in Mexico City to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Spain Eliminate Portugal, Belgium Cruise Past USA
Spain booked their place in the quarter-finals after defeating Iberian rivals Portugal 1-0 in Dallas. With the match seemingly heading for penalties, Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in stoppage time to send La Roja through and leave Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth FIFA World Cup campaign without the title.
Spain's reward is a meeting with Belgium in Los Angeles at 21:00 on Friday 10 July 2026. The Red Devils recorded the most convincing victory of the Round of 16, thrashing co-hosts the United States 4-1 in Seattle. The Americans welcomed back leading scorer Folarin Balogun after his suspension was overturned, but Belgium proved far too strong.
Argentina Complete Dramatic Comeback, Switzerland Win Shootout
Current champions Argentina produced one of the tournament's most dramatic turnarounds, recovering from 2-0 down against Egypt after 78 minutes to win 3-2 in Atlanta. Goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández completed the comeback, while Messi's strike was his 21st goal at FIFA World Cup final tournaments.
Argentina will face Switzerland in Kansas City at 03:00 on Sunday 12 July 2026. The Swiss edged Colombia after a goalless draw, winning the penalty shootout 4-3 as goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made the decisive save before Ruben Vargas converted the winning spot-kick.
