GreekReporter.comGreek NewsWorld Cup 2026 Bracket: Spain and Belgium Advance as Quarterfinals Take Shape

World Cup 2026 Bracket: Spain and Belgium Advance as Quarterfinals Take Shape

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FIFA World Cup 2026
Tim Ream (L) and Sebastian Berhalter of USA comfort each other after losing the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match USA against Belgium, in Seattle, Washington, USA, 06 July 2026. EPA/STEPHEN BRASHEAR via AMNA

The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal bracket is nearly complete after two more Round of 16 matches delivered high drama on Monday. Spain edged Portugal 1–0 in a tense Iberian derby, while Belgium cruised to a 4–1 victory over co-host United States to set up a blockbuster quarterfinal clash.

With just two Round of 16 matches remaining, only four teams are one win away from reaching the semifinals as the race to lift football’s biggest prize intensifies.

Spain Ends Portugal’s World Cup Dream

Spain booked its place in the quarterfinals with a dramatic 1–0 victory over Portugal thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Mikel Merino. The defeat could mark the final World Cup appearance of 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, whose side struggled to create clear chances throughout the match.

Belgium Overpowers United States

Belgium ended the United States’ World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4–1 victory in Seattle. Charles De Ketelaere starred with two goals, while Romelu Lukaku added another late strike as the Red Devils capitalized on costly American defensive mistakes. Belgium now advances to face Spain in the quarterfinals.
Confirmed Quarterfinal Matchups

Three quarterfinals are now set:

France vs. Morocco

Spain vs. Belgium

Norway vs. England

The final quarterfinal spot will be decided after Tuesday’s matches.

Remaining Round of 16 Schedule

Tuesday, July 7
Argentina vs. Egypt
Switzerland vs. Colombia

The knockout bracket is now almost complete.

Quarterfinals

July 9
France vs. Morocco

July 10
Spain vs. Belgium

July 11
Norway vs. England

July 12
Winner of Argentina vs. Egypt vs. Winner of Switzerland vs. Colombia

Possible Semifinals

The winner of France vs. Morocco will face the winner of Spain vs. Belgium in the first semifinal.

On the other side of the bracket, Norway or England will meet the winner of the final quarterfinal between the survivors of Argentina vs. Egypt and Switzerland vs. Colombia, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

The semifinals are set to take place on July 14 and 15.

Teams Still Alive

France

Morocco

Spain

Belgium

Norway

England

Argentina

Egypt

Switzerland

Colombia

Teams Eliminated in the Round of 16

Paraguay

Canada

Brazil

Mexico

Portugal

United States
With only Argentina, Egypt, Switzerland, and Colombia still fighting for the final quarterfinal berth, the World Cup’s road to the final is almost complete, and the tournament’s decisive week is about to begin.

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 and Spain possess squads capable of lifting the trophy, while Belgium seeks one final run from its experienced generation.

When is the World Cup Final?

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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