FIFA World Cup: Full quarter-final fixtures

The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals will kick off on Thursday 9 June. Eight nations will battle for a place in the last four. Europe dominates the final eight with six teams, while South America and Africa each have one representative.

The Round of 16 produced several major upsets as all three co-hosts exited the tournament. Defending champions Argentina survived a late scare against Egypt, while Morocco continued their remarkable run to keep Africa’s hopes alive.

The quarterfinals will be played between 9 July and 11 July across four stadiums in the United States. The winners will advance to the semifinals on 14 and 15 July, before the final takes place at MetLife Stadium on 19 July.

FIFA WORLD CUP QUARTERFINAL FIXTURES

• Thursday, 9 July: France vs Morocco – Gillette Stadium – 22:00
• Friday, 10 July: Spain vs Belgium – Los Angeles Stadium – 21:00
• Saturday, 11 July: Norway vs England – Miami Stadium – 23:00
• Sunday, 12 July: Argentina vs Switzerland – Kansas City Stadium – 03:00.

MOROCCO CHASE HISTORY

The opening quarterfinal pits France against Morocco in a repeat of the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal. France edged past Paraguay 1-0, while Morocco stunned co-hosts Canada 3-0 to become the first African nation to reach consecutive World Cup quarterfinals.

Spain booked their place after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Portugal. Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in stoppage time. They now face a confident Belgium side that swept aside the United States 4-1.

BIG HITTERS COLLIDE

Norway face England in one of the standout ties of the round. The match will pit Erling Haaland against Harry Kane after Norway shocked Brazil 2-1, while England edged Mexico 3-2 despite playing much of the match with 10 men.

Defending champions Argentina continue their title defence against Switzerland after surviving a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt. Lionel Messi’s side now face a Swiss team that reached the quarterfinals by beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties.

The four quarterfinal winners will progress to the semifinals before competing for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.

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Orlando Pirates have made wholesale changes to their playing squad. Rele Mofokeng is the headline departure, including a total of a dozen.

Pirates wave goodbye to a dozen players

South African champions Orlando Pirates will be a new-look entity next season after several high-profile exits, headlined by that of Relebohile Mofokeng. The following players have left the club:

• Thabiso Sesane
• Selaelo Rasebotja
• Siyabonga Ndlozi
• Gomolemo Khoto
• Sonwabo Khumalo
• Blessing Ngiba
• Seth Green
• Thabiso Lebitso
• Bandile Shandu
• Sipho Mbule
• Tshegofatso Mabasa
• Relebohile Mofokeng

Orlando Pirates’ new signings

Pirates have welcomed seven new players aboard. They are Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Sbangani Zulu, Bohale Ngwato, Ghampani Lungu, Neo Rapoo, Aphier Baliti and Matome Mmolai.

Ex-Orlando Pirates man Mbokazi is wanted around the world

According to ESPN, MLS team Chicago Fire won’t stand in the way of Bafana star Mbekezeli Mbokazi, should he be eager for a move away. There are rumours of interest in the 20-year-old from Nottingham Forest, Napoli and unnamed sides in Belgium. Italian Serie A side Napoli are reportedly readying an offer which could rise to €10 million (R185 million).

World Cup quarter-final lineup

After another dramatic evening in the World Cup, the quarter-final lineup is set. Defending champions Argentina survived an almighty scare, coming from 2-0 down, with 11 minutes on the clock, to eventually beat Egypt in a thriller. The great Lionel Messi was at the forefront, as he usually is, missing a penalty on 21 minutes but atoning in spectacular fashion with an assist for Cristian Romero’s 79th-minute goal and then a goal of his own on 83 minutes. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez completed the stunning comeback in stoppage time. Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes to set up a quarter-final with Messi’s merry men.

• Thu 9 July: France vs Morocco, 22:00 kickoff
• Fri 10 July: Spain vs Belgium, 21:00 kickoff
• Sat 11 July, Norway vs England, 23:00 kickoff
• Sun 12 July, Argentina vs Switzerland, 03:00 kickoff

Lionel Messi's game by numbers vs. Egypt:

91 touches
42/51 successful passes
12 touches in opp. box
8 duels won
6 chances created
5/7 successful take-ons
2 shots on target
2 big chances created
1 assist
1 goal

He is just inevitable. 🐐 https://t.co/aWyETXSa3i

— Squawka (@Squawka) July 7, 2026

What a week in store! Who will win the FIFA World Cup? Let us know by clicking the comments tab below 🙂

Egypt suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash after surrendering a late lead.

The African giants looked on course for the quarter-finals before Lionel Messi inspired the comeback and Enzo Fernández headed home the winner in stoppage time.

FIFA WORLD CUP: EGYPT 2-3 ARGENTINA

The controversy began with Egypt leading 1-0 when Mostafa Ziko thought he had doubled the advantage. However, French referee François Letexier overturned the goal after an on-field VAR review. Officials ruled that an Egyptian player had fouled Lisandro Martínez around 20 seconds before the ball crossed the line.

Ziko later made it 2-2, but Argentina completed a dramatic turnaround in the closing stages. Messi equalised before Fernández sealed victory with a stoppage-time header.

The drama continued on the touchline as Hassan confronted Letexier. The veteran coach made FIFA’s official anti-racism “X” gesture before the referee responded by showing him a yellow card.

TOUCHLINE CHAOS

FIFA introduced the “X” signal in 2024 to allow players and coaches to report racist abuse. The gesture can trigger a three-step protocol that includes suspending or abandoning a match.

Instead, Letexier allowed play to continue after cautioning Hassan. Reports remain divided over why the Egypt coach used the gesture. Some believe he reacted to alleged abuse, while others say he used it to protest the officiating.

The situation escalated moments later when a member of Egypt’s backroom staff ran onto the pitch and confronted Messi. Match officials immediately showed the staff member a red card before security escorted him away.

HOSSAM HASSAN HITS OUT

After the final whistle, Hassan continued making the “X” gesture while arguing with officials. He also confronted a pitchside photographer before leaving the field.

The Egypt coach then accused officials of manipulating the match in favour of Argentina.

“I will say what is on my mind regardless of the consequences. This was clearly a manipulated match, the whole world saw it. And I want to say something else, if they want Argentina to win so badly, then why invite everyone to come and take part?”

Hassan also claimed Egypt had been denied a fair contest.

“We were treated unfairly and subjected to injustice. The result was influenced by internal and external factors.”

Egyptian football analyst Ahmad Youssef also questioned the consistency of the officiating. He argued that the overturned goal changed the outcome of the match.

FIFA could now investigate Hassan over his use of the governing body’s anti-racism gesture. His explosive post-match comments could also come under disciplinary review.

L’histoire se répète une nouvelle fois avec la Pulga. Quatre-vingt-seize ans après Guillermo Stábile, Lionel Messi a inscrit son nom un peu plus dans la légende de l’Albiceleste.

En trouvant le chemin des filets face à l’Égypte en huitièmes de finale de la Coupe du monde 2026, le capitaine argentin a égalé un record qui résistait depuis plusieurs générations.

Huit buts sur une même Coupe du monde

En inscrivant le but égalisateur contre l’Égypte, Lionel Messi est devenu seulement le deuxième joueur argentin de l’histoire à atteindre la barre des huit buts lors d’une même édition de la Coupe du monde. Le seul précédent remontait à 1930, avec Guillermo Stábile, auteur de cet exploit lors de la première édition du Mondial.

À 39 ans, Messi rejoint donc une légende du football argentin et continue de repousser les limites. Près d’un siècle après Stábile, il démontre une nouvelle fois qu’il appartient à une catégorie de joueurs capables de marquer leur époque.

Un leader toujours décisif

Dans ce huitième de finale face à l’Égypte, l’enjeu était immense pour l’Argentine. Et une nouvelle fois, Lionel Messi a répondu présent au moment où son équipe avait besoin de lui.

Cette réalisation ne représente pas seulement une nouvelle ligne dans ses statistiques. Elle permet surtout à l’Albiceleste de poursuivre son parcours dans la compétition et confirme que, malgré les années, Messi conserve cette capacité unique à faire basculer une rencontre.

Un record qui relie deux époques

1930 et 2026. Entre Guillermo Stábile et Lionel Messi, près d’un siècle sépare deux générations, mais une même obsession demeure : marquer pour l’Argentine.

En égalant ce record historique, Messi ne se contente pas d’entrer dans les traces de son illustre prédécesseur. Il écrit une nouvelle page de l’histoire de l’Albiceleste et confirme son statut parmi les plus grandes légendes du football mondial.

Désormais, la Pulga peut viser encore plus haut : dépasser Stábile et devenir l’unique détenteur de ce record dans l’histoire de la Coupe du monde.

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