​The 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearing a dramatic conclusion as the quarterfinals shifted into high gear. On Thursday in Boston, the first quarterfinal featured Morocco against France, signaling the tight competition and high stakes that have characterized this tournament so far. Alongside those two nations, six other teams—Spain, Belgium, England, Norway, Argentina, and Switzerland—remain in contention for the prestigious trophy, each hoping to extend their run and claim glory on football’s biggest stage.
As the weekend unfolds, the picture will begin to clear. By Sunday morning, the field will be narrowed to just four teams, all vying for a place in the final. The latest update on the road to the title shows which nations have already secured semifinal berths and which sides are still in the race.
France emerged as the first nation to advance to the semifinals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco on Thursday in Boston. The match began with tension and a sense of opportunity, as Kylian Mbappé won a penalty in the first half. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou guessed correctly on the ensuing spot kick, making the save and keeping the scoreline level as the first half concluded with a goalless 0-0.
In the second half, France broke the deadlock in dramatic fashion. Mbappé delivered a stunning strike that gave his team the lead, a moment that underscored his exceptional ability to influence big matches on the biggest stage. Shortly after, Ousmane Dembélé found the back of the net in a goal that illustrated the effectiveness of France’s approach and the gravitational pull Mbappé creates, drawing defenders before delivering a finish that sealed the result.
With the win, France now awaits the outcome of Friday’s clash between Spain and Belgium to determine their semifinal opponent. The anticipation continues to build as fans and pundits alike look ahead to the next wave of fixtures, hoping to see which nations will join France in the last four. This report will be updated to reflect any further advances as the tournament progresses, keeping you informed about the teams that have punched their tickets to the semifinals and those still in contention.