World Cup 2026 bracket: Brazil is out as the quarterfinals take shape. See who’s through, who’s been eliminated, the remaining Round of 16 games, and the road to the final.
The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is entering its most exciting stage as only twelve teams remain in contention after the opening two Round of 16 matches. France and Morocco became the first nations to secure quarterfinal berths, while the remaining knockout games will determine the final contenders over the next three days.
Two of the biggest surprises of this World Cup came as Norway eliminated five-time champions Brazil, and England survived a dramatic battle against co-host Mexico to book its place in the quarterfinals.
Watch highlights of Brazil vs Norway:
With traditional powers such as Argentina, England, Spain and Portugal still going strong—and several surprise teams refusing to go away—the tournament is shaping up for a dramatic finish.
World Cup: Which teams are still alive?
After the Round of 32 and the opening Round of 16 matches, these nations remain in the hunt for the World Cup trophy:
Already in the quarterfinals
France
Morocco
Norway
England
Still to play in the Round of 16
Portugal
Spain
United States
Belgium
Argentina
Egypt
Switzerland
Colombia
Remaining Round of 16 schedule
Monday, July 6
Portugal vs. Spain
United States vs. Belgium
Tuesday, July 7
Argentina vs. Egypt
Switzerland vs. Colombia
Every match is single elimination. Win, and the dream continues. Lose, and the journey ends.
Road to the World Cup Final
The quarterfinal bracket is beginning to take shape. France edged Paraguay 1-0, while Morocco produced one of the tournament’s most convincing performances with a 3-0 victory over Canada to become the first quarter-finalists.
Quarterfinals
July 9
France vs. Morocco
July 10
Winner of Portugal vs. Spain plays Winner of United States vs. Belgium
July 11
Norway vs. England
Winner of Argentina vs. Egypt plays Winner of Switzerland vs. Colombia
The winners of France–Morocco and the July 10 quarterfinal will meet in the first semifinal, while Norway or England will face the winner from the Argentina/Egypt and Switzerland/Colombia side of the bracket in the second semifinal.
Possible Semifinal matchups
With the Round of 16 nearing its conclusion, the World Cup bracket is beginning to take shape, although four quarterfinal places remain up for grabs.
France and Morocco are already set for a heavyweight quarterfinal showdown, while Norway’s stunning upset over Brazil and England’s victory over Mexico have created another intriguing last-eight matchup.
If the favorites continue to advance, the tournament could produce blockbuster semifinal clashes. France or Morocco will meet the winner emerging from the Portugal–Spain and United States–Belgium side of the bracket, while Norway or England will face whichever team survives the Argentina–Egypt and Switzerland–Colombia path. With several European heavyweights still in contention alongside surprise challengers Norway and Morocco, the race to the World Cup final remains wide open.
Favorites still standing
Despite several surprising eliminations earlier in the tournament, many pre-tournament favorites remain alive.
France has continued to impress behind Kylian Mbappé, while Argentina hopes to defend its world title. England, Spain, and Portugal all possess squads capable of lifting the trophy, while Belgium seeks one final run from its experienced generation.
The United States, meanwhile, hopes home support can propel it deeper into the tournament as one of the three host nations.
Morocco continues to prove that its remarkable run to the semifinals in Qatar in 2022 was no fluke, while Norway, led by Erling Haaland, has emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Who has been eliminated from the World Cup?
Among the biggest casualties so far are Brazil, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Croatia, Canada, Paraguay, Japan, and Sweden, highlighting just how unpredictable the expanded 48-team World Cup has become.
When is the World Cup Final?
The quarterfinals begin on July 9, followed by the semifinals on July 14 and 15.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while the third-place match will take place one day earlier.
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