The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage delivered another unforgettable day as Switzerland secured the final quarterfinal berth, defeating Colombia 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a tense 0-0 draw through 120 minutes. Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made crucial saves, while Ruben Vargas converted the decisive penalty to send Switzerland into the last eight for the nation’s first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 1954.
Earlier in the day, defending champions Argentina completed one of the tournament’s greatest comebacks, rallying from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2. Goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernández in the closing minutes kept Argentina’s title hopes alive and set up a blockbuster quarterfinal showdown against Switzerland.
Quarterfinal Matchups
France vs. Morocco — July 9
Spain vs. Belgium — July 10
Norway vs. England — July 11
Argentina vs. Switzerland — July 11
Road to the Quarterfinals
The final eight teams are:
Argentina
Switzerland
France
Morocco
Spain
Belgium
Norway
England
Among the biggest surprises of the tournament are Norway’s elimination of six-time champions Brazil and Switzerland’s historic victory over Colombia, while favorites such as Portugal, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil have all been knocked out.
With the quarterfinals set, the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy is entering its decisive stage, featuring a mix of traditional powerhouses and emerging contenders in what promises to be an exciting finish to the tournament.
