​The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached the quarterfinal stage, and once again Western Europe sits at the heart of the competition. Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, endured a tense path to the knockout rounds but managed to advance, while one of the tournament’s prettiest surprises, Norway, has been magnificent in the elimination matches. As the quarterfinals approach, the field features a familiar blend of giants and dark-horse contenders, all eager to edge closer to glory in North America.
The four quarterfinal ties unfold across three days following the tournament’s first rest day, with Wednesday, July 8 serving as the kickoff to the knockout phase. All matches will be broadcast on FOX and Telemundo, ensuring broad access for viewers across the United States. The schedule is compact but packed with high-stakes matchups, setting the stage for what promises to be a dramatic conclusion to the tournament.
Wednesday, July 8: No quarterfinals are scheduled for today; the action shifts to the following days as teams await their spots in the next round.
Thursday, July 9: Quarterfinal matchups begin. France will face Morocco in a high-profile clash at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. Mountain Time and 3 p.m. Central Time. The game will be shown on FOX and Telemundo, giving fans a chance to witness two of the tournament’s standout teams square off.
Friday, July 10: Spain goes head-to-head with Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Start times are 1 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. CT, and like the other games, will be carried by FOX and Telemundo. This pairing brings together a traditionally possession-driven Spain side with a resilient Belgian team that has proven capable of delivering under pressure.
Saturday, July 11: The schedule features two quarterfinals on this day. First, Norway takes on England at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, with kickoff at 3 p.m. MT / 4 p.m. CT. Later that evening, Argentina faces Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, with a 7 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. CT start. Both games will be broadcast on FOX and Telemundo, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of the action. The late-night matchup between Argentina and Colombia is noted as the only night game, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the slate.
In bracket form, the eight survivors are France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, and Colombia, representing a diverse mix of European heavyweights, a North American host nation’s hopefuls, and South American powerhouses.
World Cup odds have continued to tilt toward a handful of teams as the stakes rise. According to BetMGM, the current favorites and their approximate odds include: France at +175, Spain at +350, Argentina at +400, England at +450, Norway at +1400, with Switzerland, Belgium, and Morocco all in the range of +2800. These figures reflect the unpredictable nature of knockout football, where form, depth, and experience often combine to determine the outcome in single-elimination matches.
For reporters and fans looking to follow developments, updates and analysis continue to pour in as the quarterfinals approach. Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com and on X at @Bretbloomquist, where ongoing coverage and insights into the final eight teams, the schedule, and odds are regularly updated.
This overview originally appeared in El Paso Times as part of ongoing World Cup coverage focused on identifying the final eight teams, detailing the schedule, and tracking odds for readers seeking the most currentSEO-friendly information.