​The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its crucial phase, with the tournament already into the quarterfinals. On Thursday, France claimed the first semifinal spot by defeating Morocco 2-0 at Boston Stadium, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele finding the net for Les Bleus. Morocco’s remarkable run ended after another commendable defensive performance that earned widespread praise.
The action continued on Friday, July 10, as Spain edged Belgium 2-1 at Los Angeles Stadium, thanks to a late strike from Mikel Merino in the 88th minute. On the horizon, Norway will face England at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday at Miami Stadium, while a highly anticipated Argentina-Switzerland clash will take place at 9 p.m. ET Saturday at Kansas City Stadium. The expanded 48-team format has delivered a host of surprises, dramatic knockouts, and standout individual performances, with several underdog teams surpassing expectations. Norway has emerged as a surprise package behind the one-man lightning bolt Erling Haaland, and Belgium has regained its attacking rhythm after a slower start.
Beyond goals and assists, the tournament has underscored another defining element of elite soccer: speed. Tracking technology has highlighted the fastest sprints, total distance covered, and sprint frequency, underscoring how quick recovery runs, explosive counterattacks, and repeated high-speed bursts can tilt matches as decisively as finishing prowess. Mbappe stands out as the fastest player in the tournament so far and is a leading candidate for the Golden Boot, with eight goals and three assists to his name. FIFA and Sofascore News’s data show the top speeds recorded this World Cup: Mbappe reached 37.6 km/h (23.36 mph) during the quarterfinal victory over Morocco. Across France’s six matches, Mbappe has tallied eight goals, placing him at the top of the scoring chart in tandem with Lionel Messi. His blend of blistering acceleration and precise finishing has made him France’s most dangerous weapon, and following the quarterfinal, Mbappe has 20 career World Cup goals—achieving that milestone faster than any player in soccer history and just one goal behind Messi’s all-time record. France is set to play its semifinal against Spain on Wednesday in Dallas.
Australia’s left-back Jordan Bos also played a pivotal role in his team’s surprising run to the knockout rounds, contributing with overlapping runs and rapid defensive recoveries. Bos achieved his top speed of 36.7 km/h (22.8 mph) during Australia’s group-stage victory over Turkey. He appeared in four matches before an injury in the Round of 32 defeat to Egypt. Bos represents Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie, where his pace and work rate have been highly valued.
Erling Haaland has been a defining force for Norway, scoring seven goals in four games to power his nation into their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal appearance, highlighting the impact of a single prolific striker on a team’s tournament trajectory. As the World Cup continues to unfold, fans can expect more high-speed duels, late drama, and standout performances from players who blend speed with technical brilliance.