Lines

World Cup Quarterfinals Set: Messi, England Advance

Sport
July 7, 2026
World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Lines

The 2026 World Cup quarterfinals are set, and defending champion Argentina is still standing. Lionel Messi dragged Argentina past Egypt 3-2 in a wild Round of 16 finish. Seven other nations join Argentina on US soil this week. The final eight now chase a title on American turf.

Argentina Chase Back-to-Back Titles on US Soil

Argentina survived a genuine scare against Egypt on Monday. Messi equalized in the 83rd minute at a packed venue. Enzo Fernandez then won it for Argentina in stoppage time. Argentina scored three goals inside 15 breathless minutes. Switzerland advanced as well, edging Colombia in a penalty shootout. England beat Mexico 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals. Spain ousted Portugal, and Morocco eliminated co-host Canada.

Betting markets price the quarterfinal favorites in distinct tiers. France sits around -410 against Morocco in the opener. Spain opened near -370 versus Belgium on Friday. England is roughly a -225 pick against surprise side Norway. Norway reached the quarterfinals behind striker Erling Haaland. Argentina versus Switzerland closes the round as the marquee tie. Those numbers reflect market-implied probabilities, not guarantees.

Argentina enters as the defending World Cup champion from 2022. No nation has repeated as champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Messi is chasing a second straight crown at age 39. France lost the 2022 final to Argentina in Qatar. That result gives this bracket a familiar heavyweight feel. Spain last won the World Cup back in 2010.

Star power runs through every quarterfinal matchup this week. Messi remains the storyline as Argentina’s captain and talisman. Kylian Mbappe and France meet a physical Morocco side in Boston. Harry Kane leads England against Haaland and Norway in Miami. Spain’s young core faces a battle-tested Belgium in Los Angeles.

The quarterfinal draw runs July 9 through July 11 across four US stadiums. Boston hosts France and Morocco first on Thursday. Los Angeles stages Spain and Belgium on Friday. Miami hosts Norway and England on Saturday afternoon. Kansas City then closes with Argentina and Switzerland on Saturday night. Home crowds and short travel now shape every tactical plan.

Winners advance to the semifinals on July 14 and July 15. The 2026 World Cup final lands July 19 at MetLife Stadium. Morocco stands as the lone underdog still alive in the bracket. France and Argentina still look like the two teams to beat. Kickoff for France and Morocco comes Thursday afternoon.

Related Sports Coverage

Reporting on the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals draws on ESPN, CBS Sports, and Yahoo Sports coverage. Match results and schedule details reflect those outlets as of Tuesday.