For the first time in nearly a month, there are no World Cup games today — but the break comes just as the tournament reaches its most consequential stage. After 27 straight days of matches, the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup resumes Thursday with the quarterfinals, where France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland are fighting for spots in the semifinals.
Why are there no World Cup games today?
There are no 2026 World Cup matches scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, as the tournament pauses between the end of the Round of 16 and the start of the quarterfinals. The break follows nearly four weeks of daily action since the tournament opened.
The smaller field also means fewer games are available to spread across the calendar. With only eight teams left, FIFA’s schedule includes a rest day before the quarterfinal round begins Thursday.
When do World Cup games resume?
World Cup play resumes Thursday, July 9, with France vs. Morocco in the first quarterfinal matchup. The winner will move one step closer to the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The quarterfinals continue through Saturday, setting up the semifinal matchups for July 14 and July 15.
World Cup quarterfinal schedule
The updated World Cup quarterfinal bracket schedule is:
- Thursday, July 9: France vs. Morocco, Boston/Foxborough, 4 p.m. ET
- Friday, July 10: Spain vs. Belgium, Los Angeles/Inglewood, 3 p.m. ET
- Saturday, July 11: Norway vs. England, Miami Gardens, 5 p.m. ET
- Saturday, July 11: Argentina vs. Switzerland, Kansas City, 9 p.m. ET
How to watch the World Cup games today on TV
Watching the World Cup in the U.S. remains straightforward:
- Telemundo, Universo: Spanish-language coverage
- FOX, FS1: English-language broadcasts
- Live stream: Fubo (free trial) | Peacock (Spanish)
If you don’t have cable TV, there are other ways to stream every match live.
Where to stream World Cup matches live?
Streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream carry the same channels that will be airing the World Cup games, letting you follow the FIFA tournament in real time. FOX’s own platforms, including its app and direct-to-consumer options, also provide access to live matches.
- Live stream: Fubo (free trial) | Peacock (Spanish)
Who is still in the World Cup?
The eight teams still alive in the 2026 World Cup are France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland. The Round of 16 concluded Tuesday, July 7, before the tournament shifted into its first true pause ahead of the quarterfinals.
Argentina advanced after a dramatic win over Egypt, while Switzerland moved on after eliminating Colombia. Belgium knocked out the United States, and Spain advanced past Portugal to set up one of the biggest quarterfinals of the tournament.
Who will reach the World Cup semifinals?
The quarterfinal winners will advance to the World Cup semifinals, scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15. The France-Morocco winner will face the Spain-Belgium winner, while the Norway-England winner will face the Argentina-Switzerland winner.
That means the next three days will determine whether traditional powers such as France, Spain, England and Argentina keep their title hopes alive — or whether Morocco, Belgium, Norway or Switzerland can continue reshaping the bracket.
When is the World Cup final?
The 2026 World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The third-place match is set for Saturday, July 18, in Miami.
What to watch next
The biggest question now is no longer who plays today — it is who survives the quarterfinals. France-Morocco opens the round Thursday, Spain-Belgium follows Friday, and Saturday’s doubleheader of Norway-England and Argentina-Switzerland will complete the semifinal field.
When does the 2026 World Cup end? FIFA World Cup schedule
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features a 48-team field across the United States, Canada and Mexico, running from June 11 through July 19 with 104 matches scheduled over several rounds as follows:
- Group stage: June 11-June 27
- Round of 32: June 28-July 3
- Round of 16: July 4-7
- Quarterfinals: July 9-11
- Semifinals: July 14 and 15
- Third-place match: July 18
- World Cup final: July 19
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending and breaking topics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for USA Today Network. Reach her at mfrancis@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: World Cup games today? Quarterfinal matchups, schedule match dates, times, how to watch
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