Who will reach the world cup semifinals? Quarterfinal schedule, timings IST | FIFA World Cup 2026

After a month of shocks, late goals, penalty shootouts and political noise, the Fifa World Cup 2026 has reached its last-eight stage. The co-hosts are gone. Brazil are out. Portugal have departed. The United States’ exit was wrapped in controversy. Yet the holders remain alive, France still look like the team to beat, and Erling Haaland has turned Norway’s surprise run into one of the stories of the tournament.

The tournament has narrowed, but the narratives have multiplied.

France vs Morocco: favourites face their first big test

But Morocco are not just a romantic story. They are organised, disciplined and technically secure in midfield. Their 3-0 win over Canada was ruthless, and they have lost only once in 90 minutes across their last 50 matches. Noussair Mazraoui gives them defensive security, while Azzedine Ounahi’s two goals against Canada were a reminder of his ability to float through tight spaces.

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  Players to watch: Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Azzedine Ounahi, Noussair Mazraoui
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  Prediction: France to advance

Spain vs Belgium: control meets tactical revival

  Spain have moved through the tournament with less noise than France, Argentina or England, but their defensive record is extraordinary. They have not conceded a goal and have stretched their World Cup clean-sheet run to 609 minutes, a record that goes back to Qatar.

Belgium, meanwhile, produced one of the performances of the Round of 16. Amid the fallout from Fifa’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s ban, Belgium dismantled the United States 4-1 in Seattle. Rudi Garcia’s decision to bench Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku was bold, and it worked. Charles De Ketelaere was involved in three goals, while Leandro Trossard has been one of the tournament’s most creative players.

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  Players to watch: Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Aymeric Laporte, Charles De Ketelaere, Leandro Trossard
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  Prediction: Spain to advance

Norway vs England: Haaland, Kane and a proper team test

Norway vs England is the most eagerly awaited tie of the round, not only because of Erling Haaland against Harry Kane, but because both sides have shown different forms of strength.

Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil was not a smash-and-grab. It was proof that they are more than a well-organised side with Haaland up front. Brazil were restricted to 34 per cent possession, their lowest in a World Cup match, and Norway looked surprisingly comfortable in the knockout spotlight despite being absent from the tournament for 28 years.

England, however, produced their own statement at the Azteca. To beat Mexico 3-2 with 10 men for the last half-hour showed adaptability and resilience. Jude Bellingham scored twice, covered huge ground, and made a decisive defensive intervention. Jordan Pickford’s first-half saves kept England alive before the chaos took over.

This is not merely Haaland vs England. Norway’s midfield of Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge and Patrick Berg gives them structure, intelligence and control. But England’s tournament muscle, Bellingham’s timing and Kane’s experience may still tilt the tie.

Players to watch: Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Sander Berge, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford

Argentina vs Switzerland: Messi’s chaos meets Swiss discipline

Argentina are still here, but they have not travelled smoothly. They needed extra time to beat Cape Verde and then produced a stunning comeback from 2-0 down against Egypt. Lionel Messi dragged them back in Atlanta, but the match was also clouded by VAR controversy, Egyptian fury and questions over Argentina’s vulnerability.

Messi leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, one ahead of Haaland and Mbappe. Yet Argentina’s biggest strength may not be structure. It is emotion. Lionel Scaloni’s side have repeatedly shown a strange ability to survive matches that appear to be slipping away.

They have finally broken their Round of 16 wall after exits in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Against Argentina, they will compress space, slow the rhythm and trust their defensive shape. If Johan Manzambi returns from injury, they will have more attacking threat. Without him, they may struggle to hurt Argentina often enough.

Players to watch: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Enzo Fernandez, Gregor Kobel, Ruben Vargas, Breel Embolo

Players who could define the quarterfinals

  Haaland is the most obvious name. His goals against Brazil changed the way Norway are being viewed, from surprise package to genuine threat. He has become the central figure in the tournament’s most intriguing quarterfinal.

Bellingham is England’s emotional and tactical engine. His performance against Mexico was not just about goals. It was about timing, running, defensive recovery and presence in a hostile stadium.

Mbappe remains France’s greatest weapon. Even when he is not dominating possession, he bends the opposition’s structure around him. If Morocco leave space, he can end the contest quickly.

De Ketelaere has become Belgium’s quiet disruptor. His movement, size and elegance make him hard to track, and his role in dismantling the USMNT should not be underestimated.

Pickford and Orjan Nyland could also shape the England-Norway tie. Pickford remains one of the world’s best tournament goalkeepers, while Nyland’s performance against Brazil was central to Norway’s progress.

The under-the-radar names

  Not every quarterfinal story will be written by the scorers. Laporte has been central to Spain’s defensive record. Trossard has created more chances than any other player at the tournament so far. Sander Berge rarely gives the ball away and has become crucial to Norway’s balance. Patrick Berg’s intelligence has helped knit Norway’s midfield together.

Dayot Upamecano has been quietly excellent for France, bringing calm to a player once associated with high-profile errors. For Argentina, Lautaro Martinez’s bench impact against Egypt showed why Scaloni’s squad depth matters. For Switzerland, Kobel may again have to be the difference if they are to take Argentina deep.

Semifinalist predictions

  The most likely semifinal line-up is France, Spain, England and Argentina.

France remain the strongest all-round side and still appear to have another attacking gear. Spain’s defensive record makes them Belgium’s toughest possible opponent. England’s win in Mexico City suggested they have found new ways to suffer and survive. Argentina may not be fully convincing, but Messi and Scaloni’s side keep finding answers in chaos.

There are obvious upset routes. Morocco can frustrate France and force penalties. Belgium have shown tactical flexibility and could punish Spain if the game opens up. Norway can beat England if Haaland is fed early and Odegaard controls the tempo. Switzerland can drag Argentina into another uncomfortable night.

Are France still favourites?

  Yes, but not without caveats.

France have the deepest attacking unit, tournament experience and the ability to win different types of games. They can overwhelm teams with speed, or grind through tight matches. That combination is why they remain favourites.

Spain are the biggest threat because of their control and defensive record. If they reach a semifinal against France, that may decide the eventual champion. Argentina have Messi and belief, but also defensive cracks. England have resilience and Bellingham, but must first survive Haaland. Norway have the tournament’s most compelling striker-led surge, but the last eight will test whether their collective structure can hold under English pressure.

The World Cup has reached the point where favourites matter less than moments. A Kobel save, a Haaland run, a Bellingham header, a Messi pass, a Mbappe acceleration — any one of them can redraw the bracket.

For now, France remain the team to beat. But this World Cup has already made a habit of turning certainty into chaos.