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France and Morocco will kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals early Friday (Bangladesh time) as the expanded 48-team tournament enters its decisive phase, with only eight teams remaining in contention for football’s biggest prize.
After a month of captivating football that has produced 280 goals in 96 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the competition has been narrowed to eight teams dreaming of lifting the World Cup trophy in the final at East Rutherford on July 19.
The opening quarter-final pits two of the tournament’s most impressive sides, with France taking on African champions Morocco at Gillette Stadium near Boston in a rematch of their 2022 World Cup semi-final, which Les Bleus won 2-0 on their way to the final in Qatar.
The encounter is also expected to mark one of the final chapters in the remarkable international coaching career of Didier Deschamps, who will step down as France manager after the tournament following 14 years in charge.
One of only three men to have won the FIFA World Cup as both a player and a coach, Deschamps insisted he is focused solely on reaching the semi-finals rather than reflecting on his legacy.
“I am not thinking about that at all. In my head, with my staff, the objective is just to do everything we can so that things go well. I am focused on this Morocco team and on things going well for us,” Deschamps told reporters.
The French coach also brushed aside speculation over the appointment of Argentine referee Facundo Tello, despite social media suggestions that his selection could become controversial if France advance to face defending champions Argentina later in the tournament.
“There are always decisions that can lead to debate depending on which side you are on, but our opponents are Morocco,” Deschamps said. “I can’t consider the referee to be an opponent.”
Morocco, meanwhile, have once again underlined their growing stature on the world stage after another impressive World Cup campaign. Guided by coach Mohamed Ouahbi, the Atlas Lions have combined disciplined defending with pace and creativity in attack to reach the last eight.
Having edged the Netherlands on penalties before defeating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the knockout stage, Morocco will be aiming to reach the World Cup semi-finals for a second consecutive tournament and avenge their defeat to France four years ago.
“They are a very, very good team with excellent players. They aren’t here by accident,” Deschamps said. “It’s going to be a clash between two teams that like to have possession, attack and score goals.”
The winners will face either reigning European champions Spain or Belgium, who meet in Los Angeles early Saturday (Bangladesh time).
Spain have looked among the strongest teams in the tournament, eliminating Portugal after defeating Austria in the previous round while yet to concede a goal in the competition.
Belgium, however, have emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises after coming from behind to defeat Senegal before dismantling co-hosts the United States 4-1 in the round of 16.
On the opposite side of the draw, defending champions Argentina will meet Switzerland in Kansas City early Sunday (Bangladesh time) after both teams survived dramatic last-16 encounters.
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina’s stunning comeback from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2, keeping alive the Albiceleste’s hopes of becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title. “We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home,” Messi said after the dramatic victory.
Switzerland, meanwhile, reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954 after defeating Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw.
The winners of that tie will face either England or Norway, who also meet early Sunday (Bangladesh time).
England kept alive their hopes of winning a first major international title since 1966 by edging co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in an entertaining last-16 contest at the Estadio Azteca.
Norway, enjoying the finest World Cup campaign in their history, will look to continue their dream run behind prolific striker Erling Haaland, whose goals have propelled the Scandinavians into the last eight after victories over Brazil and Ivory Coast.
With four heavyweight quarter-finals featuring former world champions, rising football powers and many of the sport’s biggest stars, the race for a place in the World Cup semi-finals promises to deliver another compelling chapter in football’s greatest tournament.
