Teams Remaining in the 2026 World Cup Quarterfinals

Which Teams Are Still Competing in the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup started with a record 48 teams, but only a handful remain with hopes of claiming the trophy on July 19. The field has shrunk from 48 to 32, then down to 16, and now just eight teams remain as the tournament heads into the quarterfinals.

Some of the world's most famous soccer nations, including recent champions, are still battling for glory. Here’s an updated look at the teams that have made it this far.

Quarterfinal Recap

Eight teams kicked off the quarterfinal round on Thursday. France defeated Morocco 2-0, securing their third straight trip to the semifinals. Later, Spain edged out Belgium to claim their semifinal spot.

Saturday saw England overcome Norway, while Argentina narrowly escaped an upset against Switzerland, clinching their place in the semifinals.

Team Highlights

• France started strong with a 3-0 win over Sweden and a tight 1-0 victory against Paraguay thanks to Kylian Mbappe's penalty. Their win over Morocco marked four consecutive quarterfinal appearances and their third semifinal in a row.
• Spain has conceded only one goal so far. They knocked out Portugal 1-0, which ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey, and then beat Belgium 2-1 to reach the semifinals.
• England reached its second semifinal in three tournaments after narrow wins over DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway.
• Argentina mounted a dramatic comeback against Egypt with a crucial equalizer from Lionel Messi. They then defeated Switzerland in the quarterfinals to set up a semifinal clash with England.