The final 8 teams at 2026 World Cup: it's time for the Quarterfinals!

After 27 days with at least one match at the 2026 World Cup, the 28th day since the tournament began had no matches. Now we are onto day 29, and it's down to the nitty-gritty, the Quarterfinals! Who is in the last eight, and who will be the final four in the Semifinals?

The FIFA World Cup is displayed during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at Nathan Phillips Square.

Kevin Sousa

The last 8 nations at the 2026 World Cup

The Round of 16 is usually when the top teams make a statement. That statement is: "I can win the World Cup." The final eight teams at the 2026 World Cup believe that statement, but can they prove that against the best of the best in the quarterfinals? Here's a look at those nations.

1. France
2. Morocco

3. Spain
4. Belgium

5. Norway
6. England

7. Argentina
8. Switzerland

The Round of 16 went fast and furious over four frantic days! Five of the eight games were one-goal games. Some had goals after the 90th minute; others were blowouts; one game needed PKs to decide a winner. All in all, it would be the favorites that would make it to the quarterfinals

Will we see the same kind of drama in this round of the World Cup? The potential for blockbuster semifinals is in the works. Will we see that come to fruition?

Adidas soccer balls with FIFA World Cup 2026 logo at Dick's Sporting Goods.

Kirby Lee

Quarterfinals Schedule

A replica of official Trionda match ball for FIFA World Cup 2026 is displayed ahead of the press conference

Issei Kato

The Golden Boot race and a Spot in the Semis await

The first of the four major favorites (Portugal) lost in the Round of 16; now, just Spain, France, and England remain from that group. All the hosts lost in the Round of 16, and so did the World Cup careers of James Rodriguez and Christiano Ronlado. While those are the players and teams not here, one thing that takes their place is the Golden Boot Race.

Five of the eight teams have a player or players in the Golden Boot race. Seven players all have a chance to win the coveted top scorer spot at this World Cup: Messi - Argentina (8), Mbappé - France (7), Haaland - Norway (7), Kane - England (6), Dembélé - France (4), Oyarzabal - Spain (4),  Bellingham - England (4). Who will score and help their chances of winning this while also helping their nation advance? 

A spot in the final four is on the line; we could see some major matchups there. Could we see France vs Spain, and England vs Argentina? Or will we see some dark horses like Morocco, Belgium, Norway, or Switzerland actually make the semis? We'll have to tune in to find out.