The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already delivered unforgettable drama, stunning upsets and late comebacks. Now, only eight teams remain, with four exciting quarter-final matches set to decide who moves one step closer to lifting football’s biggest prize.

Europe dominates the last eight with six representatives, while Africa and South America each have one team still chasing World Cup glory.

Here is what fans can expect from each quarter-final.

France vs Morocco

France and Morocco meet again after their memorable 2022 World Cup semi-final, but this Moroccan side is stronger and more experienced.

The African champions have impressed throughout the tournament with their fearless attacking football and long unbeaten run. They will believe they have what it takes to finally defeat France.

However, France remain one of the favourites for the title. Led by Kylian Mbappé, they have blended experienced stars with exciting young talents such as William Saliba and Michael Olise.

This promises to be one of the most entertaining matches of the quarter-finals.

Spain vs Belgium

This match will pit the tournament’s best defence against one of its most dangerous attacks.

Belgium have scored 13 goals so far, with Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard playing leading roles in their impressive attacking displays.

Spain, meanwhile, have yet to concede a single goal. Their disciplined defence and organised style under coach Luis de la Fuente have made them one of the hardest teams to break down.

Whichever side wins this tactical battle could become one of the favourites to reach the final.

Norway vs England

This could be the biggest individual battle of the quarter-finals.

Norway’s Erling Haaland has been unstoppable, scoring seven goals in four matches, including two against Brazil in the last 16.

England captain Harry Kane is only one goal behind in the Golden Boot race and continues to deliver in crucial moments.

Beyond the battle between the two strikers, England’s experience at this stage of the competition could prove decisive, while Norway are enjoying the best World Cup run in their history.

Argentina vs Switzerland

Argentina remain favourites, but their journey has been anything but comfortable.

The defending champions needed extra time to beat Cape Verde before producing a dramatic late comeback against Egypt after trailing by two goals with just minutes remaining.

Captain Lionel Messi continues to lead the Golden Boot race despite missing two penalties during the tournament.

Switzerland, meanwhile, have quietly become one of the toughest teams to beat. They reached the quarter-finals after eliminating Colombia on penalties and have shown great defensive discipline throughout the competition.

If young forward Johan Manzambi recovers from injury, Switzerland could pose an even greater threat as they chase another famous upset.

Four Matches, Countless Storylines

Every quarter-final offers something different. France face a confident Morocco seeking revenge, Spain’s rock-solid defence meets Belgium’s free-scoring attack, Haaland and Kane battle for goals and glory, while Argentina attempt to keep their title defence alive against a resilient Swiss side.

With places in the semi-finals at stake, fans can expect high-quality football, intense tactical battles and the possibility of even more unforgettable World Cup moments.

Gerry Abadiano joins Ulsan in the KBL.–Photo from Ulsan

MANILA, Philippines—Gerry Abadiano is headed to the Korean Basketball League (KBL) after signing with the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.

Ulsan announced on Wednesday that the Hyundai Mobis Phoebus signed State U product Gerry Abadiano.

Abadiano is coming off a stint with the San Juan Knights in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

READ: Gerry Abadiano eager to end UAAP career with another title for UP

The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 14 games for the Knights.

Before playing in the MPBL, Abadiano played five seasons with University of the Philippines, helping the school capture a couple of UAAP championships.

Abadiano replaced National University forward Jake Figueroa as Ulsan’s Asian quota player.

The former Gilas Pilipinas youth player joins his former UP teammates Carl Tamayo of Changwon and JD Cagulangan of Suwon in the KBL.

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From the show

World Cup Debrief

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Led 2-0, the defending champions produced 13 minutes of magic to turn their Round of 16 game on its head and beat Egypt. Romero, Messi and Fernandez avoided what would have been a historic upset as Egypt were left powerless in the face of Argentina’s magical comeback. The Pharoahs however complained about the refereeing, saying decisions had been taken against them, with their head coach vowing not to watch a single game for the rest of the competition.

Beyond the absolute cinema that Argentina produced against Egypt in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match on Tuesday, the accusations have been serious. Some tricky VAR decisions, which many alleged went in favour of Argentina, led to allegations from the Egypt camp that the World Cup was “rigged” to favour Lionel Messi‘s team. From 2-0 down, Argentina scored three goals in 13 minutes to win 3-2.

Speaking to the broadcaster after the match, Ziko said: “No fair, no fair, referee, no fair. Injustice, clear and obvious injustice. He is wasting the efforts of an entire country. From the start of the match, he was against us. It is not allowed for us to leave as 2-0 winners against Argentina. The tournament is fixed. God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”

In the midst of this, FIFA has announced an all-Argentine referee line-up for the France vs Morocco quarter-final on July 10 (IST). While it is not common to appoint referees from one nation or region for the same match to ensure better communication, the fact that France could be a potential opponent for Argentina later in the tournament has given rise to a new conspiracy theory among fans. In fact, this is the first time in the 2026 World Cup that a game will have match officials from a single nation.

FIFA has confirmed the match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco, with an all-Argentine crew, led by main referee Facundo Tello, set to officiate the game.

It is the first time in this World Cup edition that a game will have match officials exclusively from a single nation.

The main referee for the France vs Morocco match is Facundo Tello. The official earlier supervised Morocco’s World Cup quarter-final win against Portugal in Qatar 2022.

All Argentina referees for a france match, FIFA trying everything to rig the World Cup for Argentina once again

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— DrewS🇫🇷🇵🇹 (@XnzyDrewS) July 7, 2026

However, a section of social media was quick to point out that the Argentina vs Egypt game 

All Argentina referees for a france match, FIFA trying everything to rig the World Cup for Argentina once again

— DrewS🇫🇷🇵🇹 (@XnzyDrewS) July 7, 2026

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You know there were all French refs for the Argentina match against Egypt, right?

— Mem Fan (@BestDay4Bacon) July 8, 2026

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— nachocheesefries (@KillingRoofed) July 7, 2026

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Meanwhile, Morocco’s national football team began preparations in Boston for their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final clash against stronger France.

The Official Account of the Morocco National Football Team shared pictures from the team’s training session on X, highlighting their preparations ahead of the highly anticipated knockout encounter.

“First training session in Boston ahead of the quarter-finals,” the Morocco National Football Team wrote on X while sharing images of the players training.

Morocco created history at the FIFA World Cup 2026 by becoming the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals in two editions of the tournament after defeating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in a highly physical Round of 16 clash. The match produced the most disciplinary action of the tournament so far, with the referee showing eight yellow cards and awarding 38 fouls.

The Atlas Lions delivered a dominant second-half performance after withstanding Canadian pressure in the opening period. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, becoming the first Moroccan player since 1998 to net a brace in a World Cup match, while Soufiane Rahimi added a late third goal to seal the victory.

Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz also entered the record books, with Hakimi registering his third World Cup assist among defenders since 1966, while Diaz became the African player with the most World Cup assists, with four

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Thierry Henry believes Cristiano Ronaldo has nothing left to prove despite Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 exit, describing the veteran forward’s legacy as “untouchable” following what was confirmed to be his final appearance at football’s biggest tournament. Portugal bowed out of the World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16, bringing an end to Ronaldo’s sixth and final World Cup campaign. Before the match, the 41-year-old had announced that the ongoing edition would be his last at the global showpiece, though he stopped short of confirming whether he would retire from international football.

Reflecting on Ronaldo’s career, Henry praised not only the Portugal captain’s achievements but also the professionalism and longevity that have made him an inspiration across generations.

“He’s not going to need anybody to define his legacy; his legacy is untouchable. Whatever he’s going to decide, I wish him all the best. I wish he can pass 1,000 goals. He inspired a lot of generations of kids, especially with the way he breathes, lives and thinks about football,” Henry said on Fox Sports.

“Look at his body, look at how he is; he’s an example for everybody. So big man, all the very best in what you wish to do,” he added.

Ronaldo’s World Cup journey ended with 27 appearances, the second-most by any player in the tournament’s history, and 11 goals. While his World Cup record does not mirror his prolific exploits at club level, he still produced three goals in five matches during the 2026 edition.

The Portugal captain also continued to add to his remarkable collection of records. In the Round of 32 victory over Croatia, he became the first player to feature in a FIFA World Cup knockout match at the age of 41 or older. The fixture also became the first in World Cup history to feature two outfield players aged 40 or above, with Ronaldo lining up against former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric.

Against Croatia, Ronaldo also became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout history at 41 years and 147 days, scoring his first-ever goal in the knockout phase of the tournament.

Portugal’s campaign began with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo before Ronaldo responded to early criticism by scoring twice in a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. The brace saw him overtake Eusebio as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 10 goals and become the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Pro wrestling is often known for its storyline-driven entertainment coupled with hard-hitting and high-flying action in the ring that leads to a crescendo that makes fans feel some kind of emotion. The major companies each try to drive to that moment.

Sometimes, a unique venue adds to the excitement of a show, especially for smaller independent pro wrestling companies who are trying to engage an audience for a few hours at a time. On July 14, Fight Factory Wrestling is going back to the beach for The War on the Shore 3.

COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL

Fight Factory Wrestling hosted The War on the Shore 2 in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, last year. (Provided to Fox News Digital)

The event will take place near Martell’s Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, bringing professional wrestling to the beach. Joey Janela, Ben Bishop, Jack Vaughn, Richard Holliday, Steve Maclin, Jay Lethal, Sent 2 Slauter, Lady Frost, Allie Katch, Steph De Lander and others are among those billed to be in matches for the event.

Dave Sturchio, one of the minds behind Fight Factory Wrestling with Chris Payne, talked to Fox News Digital about getting started in the sport. He said he and Payne initially got started wrestling in 2012, but as time went on, the two went their own way. The two came back together in 2024 to do the “Fight Factory Podcast.” He said Payne had aspirations to do a wrestling show on the beach – akin to World Championship Wrestling’s Bash at the Beach.

Sturchio said he called Payne to follow through on doing a beach show despite some apprehension about getting involved in the creative side of the sport. Sturchio said when he first approached the venue about the event, there was a little hesitation, but when he came back with a plan, the venue agreed.

“As the buzz started to develop and build over prepping for the show, I said to Payne, ‘I don’t know if this is a one-off. I think that we have something here,’” Sturchio said. “And Payne and I, we’ve been in the industry since 2012, we’re life-long fans. I’m already an entrepreneur at heart, so how can I take my entrepreneurial stuff for the last three-four years of being my own boss, how do I spin this into becoming a pro wrestling promoter?”

Sturchio said that teaming with Payne allowed for the stars to align and to give each other a shot at building something great. He said the response from the first War on the Shore in 2024 was “overwhelming.”

Fight Factory Wrestling’s Dave Sturchio on the microphone at The War on the Shore 2. (Provided to Fox News Digital)

“We were like, this is actually kind of crazy. People are actually jones-ing for some wrestling in the summer. Typically, when you go to a VFW or your gymnasiums, independent wrestling kind of takes off, and they don’t run as much in the summer because it’s hot. So, I said, if anything, nobody is going to run against us and, unfortunately for us, we were put on a Tuesday night, and we were like, ‘Jesus Christ, there’s no way anybody is going to show up on a Tuesday.’

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“Turns out, nobody is really doing anything on a Tuesday. It was very easy to book the wrestlers in that regard because nobody else had anything going on. … First year was great. I think the best testament that we got was we booked Matt Cardona to be one of our featured guests on the first one and that’s when he tore his pec. So, he was out of action for a little while, but he promised us that he would still show up.”

Sturchio said Cardona was blown away and thought he and Payne had been running shows for a while.

“If you’re going to blow away Matt Cardona, I think we got something. It was off to the races, man,” he added.

Now, Sturchio and Payne are set to put on their third War on the Shore in New Jersey and the card couldn’t be more interesting.

“This year, we really stacked the deck,” he told Fox News Digital. “Some professional wrestling shows you go to on the independents, there are those lulls. Matches where you’re like, ‘Oh, they’re giving this guy a chance over here and they’re gonna give this guy a chance over there.’

“This year, I told Payne, look, based off of everybody that we’ve booked so far, for me, and some independent wrestlers don’t want to hear this, we’re trying to build a roster, build a core roster. Meaning, if we used you before and you’ve done good work, we’re gonna use you again. Instead of saying, hey, random guy over here, who I don’t know who you are, but let’s give you a shot. So we’re trying to build stories and there are a lot of stories that are culminating.”

Sturchio pointed to a number of matches that fans should be eager to see. One specifically is the reformation of The Heavenly Bodies tag team with Justin and Mark Corino.

Pro wrestling fans back in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, for The War on the Shore 2. (Provided to Fox News Digital)

“Those guys are reuniting for the first time in seven years,” he said. “They’re friends of mine, I came up with them. They were my first tag team opponents, and I’ve known these guys forever, and they’re near and dear to my heart.”

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Lady Frost will be in action against De Lander and Katch. Bishop defends the Fight Factory Premier Championship against Holliday and Vaughn. Janela will take on Jay Lethal for the first time ever and the event will feature a rumble and a tiki totem on a pole, which will act as Fight Factory Wrestling’s “Money in the Bank” type of gimmick.

“The card is stacked. I’m very excited about all of it. There’s not one lull,” Sturchio said. “We’re just going to roll right through, and I think it’s going to be one of those nights that we remember for a very, very long time.”

The Minnesota Vikings arguably have a handful of contenders for “most promising player” in 2026, including any rookie drafted in April, quarterback Kyler Murray, newcomer wideout Jauan Jennings, or even steady-eddy running back Jordan Mason. But none are as promising as outside linebacker Dallas Turner, says Bleacher Report.

Kristopher Knox identified each team’s most promising player last week, and for Minnesota, that was none other than Turner, who enters Year No. 3 in 2026.

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BR: Turner Is Vikings Most Promising Player

On ‘most promising,’ Knox made the case for Turner: “Unfortunately, quarterback J.J. McCarthy didn’t make the necessary Year-2 strides to establish himself as a promising building block, which is why the Minnesota Vikings brought in Kyler Murray this offseason. However, fellow 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner did.”

“The Alabama product flashed potential as a rookie, finishing his inaugural campaign with 20 tackles and three sacks. However, he was even better last season, tallying 66 tackles, eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 24 quarterback pressures. Entering Year 3, Turner has the chance to become the face of Minnesota’s pass rush.”

Turner will also benefit from playing in one of the league’s top defenses. Since Brian Flores arrived in 2023, his defense ranks second-best in the NFL per EPA/Play.

“He already led the team in sacks in 2025, but with Jonathan Greenard, Javon Hargrave, and Jonathan Allen gone, Turner may quickly become the focal point of Flores’ defensive front seven,” Knox continued.

“A few more positive steps should push Turner toward double-digit sacks, and possibly, Pro Bowl consideration. It’ll certainly help if Murray can spark the offense enough to leave opposing teams passing often.”

A Peek at the Numbers

Turner is certainly on the right track, based on the last two seasons. Vikings fans were likely wondering why their big trade-up wasn’t immediately creating a stir every Sunday. The simple truth was that Turner was only 21, playing in Flores’ complex defense, and behind seasoned pass rushers. He only saw the field for 28% of defensive snaps in 2024, so a complete picture of his abilities was elusive.

Still, he showed flashes. As a rookie, Turner accumulated 3 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, 3 tackles for loss, and an interception. That was enough for Minnesota to remain patient, a sentiment shared by anyone with a discerning eye.

Then Year No. 2 arrived, and the moment everyone anticipated occurred. Greenard got hurt, and Turner’s playing time surged. His snap share jumped to 66%, and finally, his production began to match the draft-day hype. He finished the season with 8 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, and 4 forced fumbles.

By November 2025, the earlier concerns had largely dissipated. Turner appeared mentally sharper and more comfortable in Flores’ system. Pro Football Focus awarded him a 65.5 overall grade and a 70.2 as a pass rusher. Those are satisfactory numbers, as the Vikings drafted Turner for growth rather than instant gratification. And that ascent? It’s well underway. It’s all in front of Turner.

Unleashed, Alas, in 2026

This is the moment, the one Turner has likely been biding his time for two long years. As a 1st-Rounder from the 2024 NFL Draft, it was always a bit strange that two Pro Bowl EDGEs lived in front of Turner on the depth chart. The Greenard trade in April wiped that problem away.

Suddenly, the Vikings have limited OLB depth, so much so that Turner must be effective and show that he was worth the ginormous trade in 2024. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the former Vikings general manager, paid a hefty price to trade up for Turner, and for now, it feels like the Jacksonville Jaguars “won the trade.” Brian Thomas developed into a promising playmaker, and the Jaguars also acquired valuable additional picks that turned into Keilan Robinson and Caleb Ransaw.

For Minnesota, the success of this trade hinges entirely on Turner becoming a dominant EDGE rusher. Nothing less is acceptable according to the trade’s parameters.

The Case for Kyler Murray

One might argue that Murray is the “most promising” Viking, per Knox’s criteria. In the last three seasons, the Arizona Cardinals‘ defense ranked 30th in EPA/Play — also known as the third-worst. During the same timeframe, the Vikings’ defense ranks second-best in the NFL per the metric.

Murray will also have the advantage of throwing the ball to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson on Sundays, in addition to tutelage from the “quarterback whisperer” head coach, Kevin O’Connell.

The new Viking has all the physical tools to excel in the Twin Cities. All he has to do is stay healthy and buy into the offense.

Murray, Turner, and the Vikings begin the regular season in 68 days.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

First Published: Jul 08 2026 | 1:41 PM IST