FIFA World Cup 2026™ Quarterfinals: Team Previews, Schedule, and More
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ has reached the quarterfinals, and each matchup features a soccer powerhouse facing off against a scrappy underdog. France, Spain, England, and Argentina are all proven winners who boast some of the most talented and respected players on the planet. Morocco, Belgium, Norway, and Switzerland have all exceeded expectations through tactical discipline and collective effort. Can any of these teams shock the world to advance to the final four or will the individual brilliance of superstars like Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi win out?
We’ll begin to get answers when the first quarterfinal match between France and Morocco kicks off Thursday, July 9 at 4:00 PM ET. Here’s a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of all eight teams, plus the full schedule of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ quarterfinals on FOX. Remember, you can watch highlights, replays, documentaries, and more on the FIFA World Cup 2026™ App on DISH, available on Channel 159! For more information on how to watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ on FOX with DISH, follow the link.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Quarterfinals Schedule
The first of the four quarterfinal matches kicks off on Thursday, July 9 and the round continues through Saturday, July 11 with two matches. Here’s the full schedule. All remaining FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches air live on FOX:
Thursday, July 9 – 4:00 PM ET – France vs. Morocco from Boston
Friday, July 10 – 3:00 PM ET – Spain vs. Belgium from Los Angeles
Saturday, July 11 – 5:00 PM ET – Norway vs. England from Miami
Saturday, July 11 – 9:00 PM ET – Argentina vs. Switzerland from Kansas City
Strengths and Weaknesses of all Quarterfinalists
France
Strengths: France’s primary strength lies in their historic, relentless attacking threat, which has produced 14 goals over five matches. Led by Kylian Mbappé, who is among the leaders in the Golden Boot race with 7 goals in 5 games, they possess a terrifying transition game that can punish any opponent in open space. Supporting Mbappé are world-class talents like Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise—who serves as a creative reference point in the No. 10 role with a tournament-high three assists— and Bradley Barcola. This attacking quartet is widely considered the most intimidating in the World Cup. Defensively, Didier Deschamps’s side is exceptionally secure in central areas, anchored by the elite, settled center-back pairing of William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano. Their physical maturity and tournament pedigree allow them to manage tight, gritty knockout games, as demonstrated in their composed 1-0 victory over a defensive Paraguay side. Additionally, France boasts unmatched squad depth, with elite options like Désiré Doué ready to make an immediate impact off the bench. This depth makes them highly resistant to fatigue and allows them to maintain a relentless tempo over a full 90 minutes of high-stakes play, making them the tournament’s most feared and complete championship contender. Indeed, France can easily overwhelm opponents now.
Weaknesses & Morocco's Edge: France’s principal vulnerability is their surprisingly passive defensive stance, which has seen them drop deep and allow opponents significant territory. They rank 20th in progressive passes allowed, 26th in passes allowed per defensive action, and 29th in progressive carries allowed, reflecting a lack of proactive pressing. If they exhibit the same early-match sloppiness seen against Sweden and Paraguay, they can be caught completely off guard. Morocco is perfectly equipped to exploit these highly passive defensive transitions. The Atlas Lions are no longer just a low-block team; they have evolved under Mohamed Ouahbi into a sophisticated possession-based machine. If Morocco's elite midfielders, like Bilal El Khannouss and Azzedine Ounahi, cleanly retain possession and dictate the tempo, they can pin France in. With Achraf Hakimi driving tireless overlapping runs down the right flank, Morocco can create numbers overloads that disrupt France’s defensive shape. Furthermore, Morocco's extreme tactical flexibility allows them to absorb French pressure and transition rapidly. If Morocco isolates Mbappé and frustrates France's front line, their fluid counterattacks can secure a historic upset and avenge their painful 2022 semi-final defeat. France's passive tactics could ultimately prove to be their fatal, ultimate undoing on the pitch of this World Cup.
Morocco
Strengths: Morocco’s greatest strength is their remarkable tactical flexibility and cohesive team chemistry. Under Mohamed Ouahbi, the AFCON champions have evolved from the defensive counter-attacking side of 2022 into a highly sophisticated, possession-based machine. They demonstrated this technical mastery by completing a staggering 801 passes in their Round of 32 triumph over the Netherlands, proving they can dictate tempo against elite European opposition. Defensively, their compact block remains one of the most organized and difficult to break down in international football, having conceded just once in their last five competitive matches. The side is led by world-class captain Achraf Hakimi, whose defensive composure and relentless, overlapping runs down the right flank provide Morocco with its most lethal transitional threat. In midfield, the presence of Ismael Saibari—who recently confirmed a transfer to Bayern Munich after scoring in all three group-stage games—provides a physically dominant and technically gifted engine. Combined with the creativity of Bilal El Khannouss and the veteran composure of Sofyan Amrabat, Morocco possesses a balanced, fearless starting XI that excels both with and without the ball, making them a true, exceptionally formidable global powerhouse fully ready to conquer the very best teams at any given matchday of this historic tournament.
Weaknesses & France's Edge: Morocco’s primary weakness is their lack of depth, which leaves them vulnerable as matches progress into the final half-hour. Statistically, the Atlas Lions have dominated the first 60 minutes of their fixtures, generating a plus-2.4 expected goals differential. However, as substitutions are introduced, their performance levels drop sharply, forcing them to hold on for dear life and concede higher-quality chances to their opponents. Against a relentless French side boasting arguably the deepest and most talented bench in world football, this vulnerability could prove fatal. France can easily introduce game-changers like Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola to exploit Morocco’s tired legs late in the game. Additionally, France's terrifying front four—led by Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé—possesses elite speed and clinical finishing that will relentlessly test Morocco's defensive concentration. If Didier Deschamps’s side remains patient and avoids falling into Morocco's midfield trap, France’s overwhelming individual quality in transition and superior physical endurance over 90 minutes will eventually breach the Moroccan block, securing a spot in the semi-finals. Morocco's reliance on their starting eleven severely limits their ability to manage grueling knockout matches without suffering late defensive collapses. This lack of reserves creates a massive risk for the Atlas Lions.
Spain
Strengths: Spain’s primary strength is their world-class midfield control and an absolute stranglehold on possession. As the reigning European champions, La Roja excels at suffocating opponents by dominating the ball, circulating passes with surgical precision to prevent rival attacks from ever establishing a rhythm. This possession dominance is anchored by Rodri, widely regarded as the premier defensive midfielder in the world, alongside the creative brilliance of both Pedri and Dani Olmo. Defensively, Spain has been immaculate throughout the tournament. They kept three consecutive clean sheets during the group stage, with 19-year-old sensation Pau Cubarsí displaying astonishing composure and maturity in the heart of the defense. Up front, Spain possesses game-breaking speed and elite one-v-one dribbling ability on the flanks through Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. When fully fit, these explosive wingers can stretch any defensive line, creating endless scoring opportunities in the penalty area. Spain’s ability to seamlessly transition from slow, stolid possession to rapid, direct vertical attacks makes them an incredibly balanced and terrifying opponent, capable of dismantling even the most organized low blocks with ease. Their positional discipline is truly unmatched globally on the international stage. Luis de la Fuente has created a truly spectacular tactical system of play.
Weaknesses & Belgium's Edge: Spain’s main vulnerability is their recent lack of clinical finishing and potential defensive stagnation if hit quickly on the counterattack. While they excel at dominating the ball, their attack has occasionally looked lackluster and inefficient in the final third, struggling to turn high possession rates into clear-cut goals. Furthermore, injuries have hampered their explosive wing play; Nico Williams has battled fitness issues, while Lamine Yamal enters the knockouts looking a step behind his brilliant best due to injuries. Belgium is primed to exploit these attacking inefficiencies. The Red Devils have found immense momentum under Rudi Garcia, who made the bold decision to bench stars Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku in their Round of 16 triumph over the U.S. This tactical shift galvanized the squad, unlocking a highly efficient system built around Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans. With Thibaut Courtois providing a world-class, commanding presence in goal, Belgium can absorb Spain's stolid possession. In transition, the sheer pace of a rested Doku and the clinical hold-up play of Romelu Lukaku can ruthlessly punish Spain’s high defensive line. If Belgium's physical midfield disrupts Rodri’s rhythm, their clinical counterattack can secure an upset victory and end Spain's run, proving stolid possession has its own natural limitations at this world stage.
Belgium
Strengths: Belgium’s greatest strength is their newly discovered tactical flexibility, elite individual star power, and overwhelming tournament momentum. Under Rudi Garcia, the Red Devils have masterfully transitioned past the immense pressure of their previous Golden Generation, playing with the freedom of low expectations. Their attacking line is incredibly dangerous, featuring world-class playmakers and clinical finishers. Romelu Lukaku remains a lethal, physically dominant center-forward who has scored three goals in North America, placing him alongside the greatest World Cup goalscorers in history. In midfield, Youri Tielemans himself has been in sublime form, showcasing elite distribution and scoring the dramatic penalty to sink Senegal in the Round of 32. Out wide, Jérémy Doku represents a chaotic, game-breaking force; his explosive pace and one-v-one dribbling attempts constantly terrorize defenders. Critically, Garcia has optimized his roster by utilizing Kevin De Bruyne and Doku as elite impact substitutes off the bench, completely altering match dynamics when opponents tire. Backed by Thibaut Courtois’s commanding presence in goal, Belgium possesses the experience, defensive spine, and explosive offensive firepower to match and defeat any elite international side in the world, making them exceptionally dangerous dark horses. The Red Devils are peaking at the perfect time to claim a historic trophy.
Weaknesses & Spain's Edge: Belgium’s primary weakness is their slow, aging, and highly vulnerable defensive structure. Their backline, featuring Arthur Theate and Brandon Mechele, has historically struggled against elite, fluid attacking units, as evidenced by conceding four goals in the tournament's early stages and laboring heavily in a grueling 120-minute battle against Senegal. This lack of defensive speed makes them highly susceptible to quick transitions and clever off-the-ball runs. Spain is perfectly positioned to exploit these defensive fragilities. Under Luis de la Fuente, Spain plays a suffocating high-press and possession game that will relentlessly starve Belgium's midfielders of the ball. By utilizing Rodri to control the tempo, Spain can completely isolate Lukaku and prevent De Bruyne from orchestrating counters. Once Spain establishes dominance, the dizzying movement of Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo will easily pull Belgium's slow center-backs out of position. If La Roja maintains their clinical passing, Spain's superior technical quality and intense off-the-ball work rate will eventually wear Belgium down, resulting in a comfortable, controlling victory. Belgium's defensive gaps are simply too massive to ignore on this stage, and Spain's relentless speed will ruthlessly expose their lack of defensive mobility. They cannot afford any slow starts against Spain's surgical passing game.
Norway
Strengths: Norway’s defining strength is their high-octane, vertically explosive attacking system, built around the most devastating individual talents in world football. The Nordic nation possesses a terrifying offensive ceiling, led by Erling Haaland, the physically dominant goal machine who’s contending in the Golden Boot race with seven goals. Haaland requires only a single opening in transition to decide a match, showcasing his ruthless composure with a spectacular, stunning brace to eliminate five-time champions Brazil. Orchestrating this lethal attack is captain Martin Ødegaard, whose world-class vision, spatial awareness, and pinpoint passing from midfield consistently carve open opposing defenses. Supporting them are direct, rapid wingers like Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sørloth, who stretch defensive lines and create constant overloads in the final third. Norway’s vertical directness is backed by exceptional physical endurance and a fearless, underdog mentality. Having deliberately rested their key starters during the group finale against France, Norway enters the quarterfinals fresh and highly motivated. Their proven ability to disrupt structured possession teams makes them a dangerous threat capable of scoring in bunches against any opponent on any stage in North America, making them a highly lethal matchup. Their clinical efficiency makes Norway a formidable opponent for any world-class defensive backline.
Weaknesses & England's Edge: Norway’s glaring weakness is their severe defensive fragility and lack of tactical adaptability without the ball. Ståle Solbakken's side is highly prone to giving up clean looks, ranking a dismal 35th in shots allowed per possession during the group stage. Their open, high-risk system frequently leaves their backline exposed in transition, as seen in their heavy 4-1 loss to France and their struggles to contain Senegal's attack. England is exceptionally well-equipped to punish these defensive liabilities. Under Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions play with elite defensive organization, boasting the tournament's third-best expected goals conceded rating. England's physical midfield, led by Declan Rice, can completely disrupt Ødegaard's passing lanes, suffocating Norway's vertical service to Haaland. Once possession is secured, the relentless box-to-box runs of Jude Bellingham and the clinical finishing of Harry Kane will easily dissect Norway’s fragile defense. If Tuchel's side controls the tempo and limits Haaland's transition space, England's superior squad depth and tactical maturity will carry them to victory in a high-scoring affair. Norway’s defense simply cannot cope with elite pressure over ninety grueling minutes, making their defensive gaps a massive liability. If England's midfield controls the match, Norway will face a highly difficult struggle on the pitch.
England
Strengths: England’s principal strength is their relentless depth, elite individual star power, and outstanding defensive stability. Under Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions have built an incredibly resilient and balanced side, boasting the tournament's third-best expected goals conceded rating. Their defensive solidity is anchored by John Stones and Marc Guéhi, providing a secure foundation that rarely allows opponents high-quality scoring opportunities. In midfield, Declan Rice provides tireless defensive coverage and physical dominance, allowing Jude Bellingham to operate with complete creative freedom. Bellingham has been the engine of the attack, showcasing his world-class box-to-box presence with a spectacular, match-winning brace against co-hosts Mexico. Up front, captain superstar forward Harry Kane remains the ultimate clutch finisher, having recorded five goals in five matches to spearhead England's campaign. Furthermore, England is highly dangerous on set pieces, averaging a tournament-high six dangerous set-piece shots per game. Their ability to remain calm under extreme pressure—demonstrated by surviving a hostile atmosphere and a red card in Mexico City—makes them a mature, formidable championship favorite with no shortage of highly talented, world-class options to unlock matches and dictate play. Their absolute mastery of details under pressure makes England an incredibly difficult powerhouse to beat in these late tournament stages.
Weaknesses & Norway's Edge: England’s primary weakness is their persistent struggle with offensive creativity and a labor-intensive, occasionally stagnant buildup play in midfield. By choosing pragmatism and order, Thomas Tuchel deliberately left several unpredictable playmakers at home, resulting in a team that struggles to break down compact blocks and ranks low in progressive passing. Additionally, injuries to fullbacks like Reece James and Djed Spence likewise have severely depleted their defensive width. Norway is perfectly designed to exploit these creative deficiencies. Ståle Solbakken's side does not care about dominating possession; they are entirely comfortable defending in a tight block and waiting for English mistakes. Once England’s slow, stagnant possession stalls, Norway can launch lightning-fast vertical transitions. Martin Ødegaard possesses the elite vision to bypass Declan Rice and find Erling Haaland in open space. Haaland's unmatched physical dominance and devastating speed will present a constant nightmare for England's slow center-backs in transition. If Norway's defense can contain Harry Kane, their lethal direct attacks will secure a historic semifinal berth. England's lack of a creative plan B could prove fatal if they fall behind early in the match. If Norway exploits their physical dominance, England's highly structured system could easily break down under pressure on the pitch.
Argentina
Strengths: Argentina’s greatest asset remains their world-class talisman Lionel Messi, who leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals after scoring in every match. Under manager Lionel Scaloni, they possess a championship pedigree and immense foundational chemistry, with over sixty percent of their 2022 winning roster returning to the field to defend their crown. Supported by hard-working, elite defensive and transition cogs like Lisandro Martínez and Enzo Fernández, Argentina can orchestrate swift attacks and possesses the rare, resilient character to win incredibly ugly matches under heavy pressure.
Weaknesses & Switzerland’s Edge: Argentina’s primary vulnerability is their extreme tactical dependency on Messi, who has scored eight of their thirteen goals, leaving other forwards underperforming. Furthermore, their defense is leaking goals, conceding four goals in their last two grueling knockout matches, while their passive transition defense and poor aerial duel success rate make them highly vulnerable. Switzerland can exploit this through their sturdy defense, physical midfield presence, and Gregor Kobel’s stellar shot-stopping. If experienced captain Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler can choke out Messi's central passing lanes, Switzerland’s organized, sturdy collective can frustrate the champions and catch them on quick vertical transitions.
Switzerland
Strengths: Switzerland counters Argentina with superb tactical organization, physical defensive discipline, and stellar underlying expected-goals metrics. The Swiss have generated the fourth-most expected goals while allowing the third-lowest, demonstrating high clinical efficiency. Anchored by captain Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler in central midfield, they excel at controlling the tempo and denying space to elite playmakers. At the back, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel is having a spectacular tournament, saving three goals above expected and dominating penalty shootouts. Supported by central defender Manuel Akanji, the Swiss backline is highly disciplined, rarely making errors or giving away dangerous set pieces. Together, these two balanced sides present a fascinating contrast of clinical individual star power and highly structured, collective tactical execution.
Weaknesses & Argentina’s Edge: Conversely, Switzerland’s major weakness is their toothless attack, which often lacks a clinical killer instinct. This is severely compounded by the knee injury to breakout young midfielder Johan Manzambi, which leaves them without their most creative outlet. Furthermore, the resilient Swiss team historically struggles under intense pressure, occasionally exhibiting defensive passivity late in matches. Argentina is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this, as Lionel Scaloni's experienced squad specializes in winning ugly, gritty games. Messi’s unmatched individual genius can break through Switzerland's compact block in a single moment, allowing the world champions to punish any lapses and march into the semifinals.
