A 48-team World Cup. Three nations co-hosting for the first time in history. The summer of 2026 was destined to be extraordinary. Now, with the tournament past the halfway mark and battles raging across North America, six quarterfinal spots have been secured—and the storylines have been nothing short of spectacular, with stunning upsets and legendary performances unfolding at every turn.
The Quarterfinal Picture Takes Shape: New Powers Rise, Traditional Giants Shaken
As of July 7, France, Morocco, Norway, England, Spain, and Belgium have punched their tickets to the quarterfinals. The final two spots will be decided between Argentina vs. Egypt and Switzerland vs. Colombia.
The quarterfinal matchups already set include:
- Morocco vs. France — a rematch between the 2022 semifinalists and runners-up
- Norway vs. England — the Scandinavian dark horses take on the Three Lions
- Belgium vs. Spain — the Red Devils face off against La Roja in a clash of European heavyweights
Haaland’s Night of Glory! Norway Stuns Brazil, Reaches First-Ever Quarterfinal
If there’s one moment that defines this World Cup, it took place on the night of July 5 at MetLife Stadium in New York.
Erling Haaland scored twice in the 79th and 90th minutes, leading Norway to a 2-1 upset over five-time champions Brazil and securing the nation’s first-ever World Cup quarterfinal berth. The Norwegian phenomenon now has 7 goals in the tournament, tied with Messi and Mbappé at the top of the Golden Boot race.
The match was pure drama: Norwegian goalkeeper Nyland saved a Brazilian penalty in the first half, and Haaland completed his brace in the final 11 minutes. After the game, 34-year-old Neymar announced his retirement from the Brazilian national team after converting a penalty—his tearful farewell moved the football world. Haaland’s post-match quip—”It took Norway 28 years to make it back to the World Cup, and I’m only 25″—perfectly captured the changing of the guard.
A Night of Heartbreak: Ronaldo Bows Out, All Three Hosts Eliminated
On July 7, Spain knocked Portugal out with Mikel Merino’s 91st-minute winner in a 1-0 thriller. 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo bid farewell to his final World Cup, having never lifted the trophy. Spain, meanwhile, set a new record with six consecutive World Cup clean sheets.
Even more heartbreaking—all three host nations were eliminated:
- Canada fell 3-0 to Morocco, becoming the first host nation eliminated
- Mexico lost 3-2 to England in a tight Round of 16 contest
- USA suffered a 4-1 defeat to Belgium, the last of the three hosts to exit
Controversy Erupts: The Balogun “Pardon” Shakes Football’s Foundations
The USMNT’s exit wasn’t the real headline—the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun was.
The US striker received a red card in the Round of 32 and was due for an automatic one-match suspension. However, FIFA suddenly announced the ban would be deferred for one year just before the Belgium match, allowing him to play. This marked the first time since the red/yellow card system was introduced in 1970 that a player sent off was permitted to continue in the tournament.
The decision drew shock from the Belgian FA and UEFA. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that US President Donald Trump had called about the matter but insisted it was an independent ruling by the disciplinary committee. Belgium channeled their anger into a resounding 4-1 victory—a statement win that silenced the controversy.
Looking Ahead: 10 Matches Remain—A New Champion Awaits?
Just 10 matches remain in this World Cup. The quarterfinals kick off on July 10, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Can Norway and Morocco continue their fairy-tale runs? Will Messi lead Argentina all the way? Can Mbappé break Messi’s record of 20 World Cup goals? Will Haaland claim the Golden Boot? All questions will be answered soon.
This World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico across 16 cities, 16 stadiums, 48 teams, and 104 matches—is the largest in tournament history. The final curtain falls on July 20 (Beijing time). Follow us for continued coverage!
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