The 2026 World Cup has reached its quarterfinal stage, with the final eight teams preparing to compete for a spot in the semifinals. The knockout action is scheduled to commence on Thursday, July 9.
The opening match will feature a clash between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This game highlights a significant meeting between the 2022 tournament runner-up and the fourth-place finisher. Following this, Spain is set to take on Belgium in Southern California on July 10. The schedule continues on July 11 with a doubleheader: England will face Norway in the first match, followed by Lionel Messi and Argentina in the nightcap.
Winners from these quarterfinal matchups will progress to the semifinal round, which is slated for July 14 and July 15. The tournament will conclude with the World Cup final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. USA TODAY Sports has provided its expert predictions for each of these upcoming quarterfinal contests.
Here's a look at USA TODAY Sports' expert picks for the quarterfinals:
