World Cup 2026: who's already in the quarters and who's still in the last 16
France, Morocco and now Norway are through to the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. Here's who's advanced, who's out, which last-16 ties remain, and where Portugal fits.
The World Cup 2026 quarter-final bracket is taking shape — with a bombshell along the way. France and Morocco have advanced and will play each other, and they have been joined by Norway, who have just knocked out Brazil. The rest of the last 16 is still being decided, including the tie everyone here has circled in red.
Who’s already in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals?
Three teams are in. France saw off Paraguay 1-0, in a game where Kylian Mbappé reached seven goals and drew level with the tournament’s top scorers. Morocco, who had already knocked out hosts Canada 3-0, confirmed their status as this stage’s feel-good surprise — and now meet France in a mouth-watering quarter-final. The third spot belongs to Norway.
Who won the match between Norway and Brazil?
Norway won, 2-1, at MetLife Stadium, sending the five-time champions out. Erling Haaland scored twice late (in the 79th and 90th minutes), after goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland saved a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimarães. Neymar pulled one back from the spot at the death, but it was too late to avoid elimination. Norway go through to the quarters, where they will face the winner of Mexico-England. We covered it all in the Norway 2-1 Brazil report.
When are the remaining World Cup last-16 games played?
The last 16 wraps up between Monday and Tuesday (Lisbon time). The headline tie for us is Portugal-Spain, on Monday, 6 July, at 20:00, in Arlington, Texas — the Iberian classic of the round. Mexico-England is played overnight, around 01:00 on Monday, in Mexico City. And United States-Belgium closes the round in the early hours of Tuesday, also near 01:00, in Seattle — the Belgians got here after a comeback to beat Senegal 3-2. On Tuesday, 7 July, Argentina-Egypt and Switzerland-Colombia complete the bracket.
Where does this leave Portugal?
Whoever wins Portugal-Spain goes straight into the quarter-finals, one game away from the semis. That is why Monday is worth its weight in gold: it is not just Iberian pride, it is a World Cup semi-final place on the line.
See also: the Norway 2-1 Brazil report and the Tour de France 2026 with João Almeida. The full bracket is on the official FIFA site.
By Vasco Almada
Image: Anthony Quintano from Hillsborough, NJ, United States / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)