2026 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals: Teams, Schedule, Bracket & Format

The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals bring together eight elite teams competing from July 9-11, 2026. All matches take place in the United States at four premier stadiums. This marks the first World Cup with 48 teams instead of 32.

Each quarterfinal match is do-or-die. Teams play 90 minutes with extra time and penalties if needed. Winners advance to the semifinals while losers go home. The road to this stage requires surviving the group stage plus winning matches in the Round of 32 and Round of 16.

The atmosphere at these matches is electric. Fans travel from around the globe to watch their teams compete. Players give everything they have because the semifinals are just one win away. One mistake can end a World Cup journey at this crucial stage.

How Does the Quarterfinals Round Work (Format)

The quarterfinals use single-elimination format. Eight teams enter and only four move forward. Each match produces one winner and eliminates one team.

A match lasts 90 minutes split into two 45-minute halves. Tied matches go to 30 minutes of extra time with two 15-minute periods. Penalty shootouts decide the winner if teams remain level after extra time. Each team takes five penalties and continues in sudden death if tied.

FIFA set the entire knockout bracket before the tournament starts. The bracket uses group results and third-place rankings to determine matchups. Teams cannot draw new opponents after groups end. Fans can predict potential matchups once the group stage finishes.

Teams must finish top two in their group or rank among the eight best third-place teams to advance. Then they win their Round of 32 match from June 28 to July 3. Next they win their Round of 16 match from July 4-7. The eight Round of 16 winners reach the quarterfinals.

The 2026 format adds the Round of 32 for the first time in World Cup history. Teams now play eight matches to win the tournament instead of seven. All quarterfinals and later rounds happen in the United States only.

World Cup Quarterfinals Teams

The eight quarterfinalists will be confirmed after Round of 16 matches end on July 7, 2026. As of November 2025, 34 of 48 World Cup spots are filled. The remaining 14 spots will be decided through qualifying and playoffs.

Currently Qualified Teams (34 Total)

• Host Nations (3 automatic spots): United States, Canada, Mexico
• UEFA – Europe (7 confirmed, 9 more coming): England, France, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia, Norway
• CONMEBOL – South America (6 of 6): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay
• AFC – Asia (8 of 8): Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Uzbekistan
• CAF – Africa (9 of 9): Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, Cape Verde
• OFC – Oceania (1 of 1): New Zealand

Remaining Spots to Be Decided

UEFA – Europe (9 spots open): Four spots will be decided through UEFA playoffs in March 2026. The 12 group runners-up plus four Nations League qualifiers will compete. Five more European qualifying spots are still being contested in November 2025 matches.

CONCACAF – North/Central America (3 spots open): Three CONCACAF teams will qualify through regional competition. Two additional CONCACAF teams enter inter-confederation playoffs.

Inter-confederation Playoffs (2 spots): Six teams compete in March 2026 for the final two World Cup spots. One team each from AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC plus two from CONCACAF.

Top Championship Contenders

Argentina enters as defending champions after winning in Qatar 2022. They dominated South American qualifying by finishing first. Their blend of experienced stars and young talent makes them dangerous.

Brazil owns five World Cup titles and always performs when tournaments begin. France won the 2018 World Cup and reached the 2022 final. Kylian Mbappe leads their talented young squad.

England qualified with eight straight wins and zero goals allowed. Their attacking depth is impressive with multiple scoring threats. Germany brings four World Cup titles and consistently peaks during major competitions.

Morocco shocked everyone by reaching 2022 semifinals. They beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal before losing to France. Japan defeated Germany and Spain in 2022 group stage. Asian and African teams continue improving their World Cup performances.

Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan will make their World Cup debuts in 2026. The expanded format gives more nations opportunities to compete on the biggest stage.

2026 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals Schedule

The quarterfinals span three days from July 9-11, 2026. All four matches happen in United States stadiums that host NFL teams.

Date	Teams	Match	Time (EST)	Stadium
Thu, Jul 9	Winner Match 89 vs Winner Match 90	97	TBD	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
Fri, Jul 10	Winner Match 93 vs Winner Match 94	98	TBD	SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Sat, Jul 11	Winner Match 91 vs Winner Match 92	99	TBD	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
Sat, Jul 11	Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96	100	TBD	Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts starts the action on July 9. The New England Patriots play here during NFL season. The stadium has hosted major soccer matches including Copa America fixtures. Modern amenities and excellent sightlines serve 65,000 fans.

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is the newest and most expensive venue at $5 billion. This facility opened in 2020 near Los Angeles. The translucent roof covers the field while keeping sides open. A massive video board hangs from the roof. An entertainment complex surrounds the stadium with 70,000 capacity.

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens hosts the third quarterfinal on July 11. The venue received a $350 million renovation completed in 2016. Upgrades included a new partial roof and giant video boards. The oceanfront location adds special excitement with 65,000 capacity.

Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City wraps up the quarterfinals on July 11. This venue holds the world record for loudest sports stadium crowd. The passionate atmosphere creates an incredible environment. The stadium accommodates 76,000 fans which is the largest quarterfinal capacity.

FIFA will announce exact kickoff times after the group stage draw on December 5, 2025. Times balance local attendance with global television audiences across different time zones.

The four winners advance to semifinals on July 14-15 in Dallas and Atlanta. The World Cup Final happens July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Bracket (Current Scenario)

FIFA built the complete knockout bracket before the tournament begins. The bracket runs from Round of 32 through the final based on group results.

The Round of 32 from June 28 to July 3 is brand new for 2026. A total of 32 teams advance from the group stage. Top two from each of 12 groups automatically qualify. Eight best third-place teams also advance. Group winners typically face third-place teams while runners-up get tougher matchups.

Round of 16 happens July 4-7 at eight venues including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle and Vancouver. Winners advance to predetermined quarterfinal positions.

The quarterfinal bracket divides into two halves. Quarterfinals 1 and 2 winners meet in Semifinal 1 on July 14 in Dallas. Quarterfinals 3 and 4 winners meet in Semifinal 2 on July 15 in Atlanta. Semifinal winners play for the title on July 19 in New Jersey. Losers play for third place on July 18 in Miami.

Winning your group matters because it typically means an easier Round of 32 opponent. Third-place teams face the hardest path. With 32 knockout teams instead of 16, the path to the final requires five wins instead of four.

How to Get World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Matches Tickets

FIFA runs all official ticket sales through FIFA.com/tickets. This is the only legitimate way to buy tickets.

FIFA opens ticket sales in phases starting about one year before the tournament. Early phases use a lottery system. Fans submit applications during a specific window. FIFA randomly picks applications and offers tickets to selected fans. Later phases work on first-come first-served for leftover tickets.

Quarterfinal tickets will be extremely hard to get. These matches rank among the most popular. Tickets sell out fast in early sales.

Expected Prices

FIFA has not announced prices yet. Based on past tournaments, standard quarterfinal tickets probably start around $200-400 USD. Premium seats could reach $500-1,000 USD or more. Major venues like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles may cost extra.

Category 1 seats have the best views and highest prices. Category 2 and 3 seats offer mid-range views at moderate prices. Category 4 seats sit higher up but cost much less.

How to Buy

Fans need a free FIFA Ticketing Account at FIFA.com. Create your account early with complete information and payment details ready. During lottery phases, submit applications for your preferred matches and seat categories.

FIFA emails successful applicants who then have limited time to pay and confirm purchases. Missing the deadline means losing the tickets. Later phases let fans purchase available tickets immediately when sales open.

Important Rules

FIFA bans reselling tickets above face value. Caught resellers lose their tickets without refunds. Only FIFA’s official transfer platform allows legitimate ticket transfers.

Tickets arrive as mobile tickets on the FIFA Ticketing App. Each ticket needs valid ID matching the holder’s name. FIFA checks IDs at gates to stop scalping.

Tips for Success

Register your account immediately with all information ready. Apply for multiple matches to boost your chances. Be flexible on seat categories since expensive tickets often have better availability.

Watch FIFA’s official emails for sales dates and updates. Consider Round of 32 or Round of 16 tickets as alternatives. These earlier matches are easier to obtain and cost less.

Book hotels and flights months ahead. Host cities fill up fast during the tournament. Early bookings save money and guarantee places to stay.

WC 2026 Quarterfinals FAQs