Quarterfinals Set — All Three Hosts Crash Out, Ronaldo Bows Out, and Messi Survives a Scare

The Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup finished on July 7, completing the quarterfinal line-up — and the story of the round was the exit of all three co-hosts. Mexico fell 2-3 to England and the USA were routed 1-4 by Belgium, and with Canada already beaten 0-3 by Morocco, all three nations co-hosting the tournament failed to reach the last eight.

In the Iberian derby in Dallas on July 6, Spain beat Portugal 1-0. The tie was settled in the first minute of stoppage time (90+1') by Mikel Merino, who had come on in the 85th minute: fouled, he took a quick free kick, ran onto Ferran Torres's pass and finished past Diogo Costa. The defeat ended Portugal's campaign — and Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup, and perhaps his international career, in tears.

On July 7, Argentina authored a nerve-shredding comeback against Egypt. Trailing 0-2 after Yasser Ibrahim's header and Mostafa Zico's goal (67'), and with Messi having missed a penalty in the first half, the holders roared back. Cristian Romero headed in Messi's cross (79'), Messi levelled with a first-time finish (83'), and Enzo Fernández nodded home Lautaro Martínez's cross for the 3-2 winner. Messi's strike was his eighth of the tournament, moving him clear at the top of the scoring charts. The defending champions have now survived on the brink twice, after their Round-of-32 scare against Cape Verde.

Elsewhere, Belgium thrashed hosts USA 4-1, and Switzerland drew 0-0 with Colombia before advancing 4-3 on penalties. That completes the quarterfinals: France-Morocco, Spain-Belgium, Norway-England and Argentina-Switzerland. Haaland's Norway meet England, Messi's Argentina face Switzerland, and 2022 semifinalists Morocco take on favourites France.

The quarterfinals begin on July 9. Follow the full bracket, kickoff times and the path beyond the semifinals live on our bracket page (/bracket).