The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals promise some of the tournament’s biggest and most exciting matches as only eight teams remain in the race for football’s most prestigious trophy. Following an expanded 48-team World Cup and a new Round of 32 format, the competition reaches another crucial stage where every match becomes a winner-takes-all battle.
The quarterfinals are scheduled to take place from July 9 to July 11, 2026, across four iconic stadiums in the United States.
Teams that survive this stage will book their place in the semifinals and move one step closer to lifting the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Schedule
Teams advance to the World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals by winning their single-elimination matches during the previous Round of 32 and the World Cup 2026 Round of 16.
| Match | Expected Fixture | Venue | Date & Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 97 | Paraguay / France vs Canada / Morocco | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough | July 4 16:00 UTC−4 |
| Match 98 | Winner Match 93 vs USA / Belgium | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Vancouver | July 4 16:00 UTC−4 |
| Match 99 | Brazil / Norway vs Mexico / England | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens | July 5 16:00 UTC−4 |
| Match 100 | Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96 | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium) | July 5 16:00 UTC−4 |
- Match 93 – Portugal / Croatia vs Spain / Austria
- Match 95 – Argentina / Cape Verde vs Australia / Egypt
- Match 96 – Switzerland / Algeria vs Colombia / Ghana
These pairings will only be confirmed after the Round of 16 concludes.
Road to the Quarterfinals
Only the winners from the Round of 16 advance to the quarterfinals.
The key Round of 16 fixtures feeding into the last eight include:
- Match 89 – Paraguay vs France
- Match 90 – Canada vs Morocco
- Match 91 – Brazil vs Norway
- Match 92 – Mexico vs England
- Match 93 – Portugal/Croatia vs Spain/Austria
- Match 94 – United States vs Belgium
- Match 95 – Argentina/Cabo Verde vs Australia/Egypt
- Match 96 – Switzerland/Algeria vs Colombia/Ghana
These knockout games will decide which four top title contenders move on to fight for a spot in the semifinals.
Stadiums Hosting the Quarterfinals
Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium)
The opening quarterfinal will take place at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, one of the largest football venues in the United States.
Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium)
Match 98 heads to SoFi Stadium, one of the newest and most technologically advanced stadiums in world sports.
Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium)
Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium hosts Match 99, bringing World Cup knockout football back to South Florida.
Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium)
The final quarterfinal will be played at Arrowhead Stadium, where one team will secure the last semifinal spot.
What Happens After the Quarterfinals?
The four quarterfinal winners will advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals.
The semifinal schedule is:
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Match 101 | July 14 | Dallas Stadium |
| Match 102 | July 15 | Atlanta Stadium |
The winners will then meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium).
Teams to Watch
Several of football’s biggest nations are expected to challenge for a place in the quarterfinals, including:
- France
- Brazil
- England
- Argentina
- Spain
- Portugal
- Belgium
- United States
However, surprise teams such as Morocco, Canada, Norway, Colombia, and Senegal have also shown they can compete with the world’s elite, making this stage highly unpredictable.
Why the Quarterfinals Are Crucial for Top Soccer Teams to Win
Historically, the quarterfinals have produced some of the most memorable moments in FIFA World Cup history. With only eight teams remaining, every mistake can end a nation’s dream, while every victory brings a team within two wins of becoming world champions.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament has also created a more competitive knockout stage, giving emerging football nations a greater opportunity to reach the latter rounds.
When are the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals?
The quarterfinals will be played from July 9 to July 11, 2026.
How many matches are in the quarterfinals?
There are four quarterfinal matches, numbered 97 to 100.
Which stadiums will host the quarterfinals?
The matches will be held at:
- Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium)
- Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium)
- Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium)
- Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium)
Which teams can reach the quarterfinals?
The quarterfinalists will be the eight winners from the Round of 16, with potential contenders including France, Brazil, England, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the United States, Canada, and several surprise teams.
Where will the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final be played?
The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey.