Overview
- The quarterfinal matchups are France vs Morocco at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Spain vs Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Norway vs England at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, and Argentina vs Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
- France and Argentina enter the last eight unbeaten and are widely viewed as tournament favourites because of their scoring form and winning records through five matches.
- Spain remain notable for their defensive record, having not conceded a World Cup goal across tournaments with goalkeeper Unai Simón on a 609-minute shutout streak.
- FIFA rejected France’s appeal over Michael Olise’s yellow card, leaving the winger one booking away from suspension for a potential semi-final and underscoring the tournament’s strict, largely non-appealable disciplinary process.
- Tournament logistics and personnel shifts are affecting preparations as Norway reports illness and hotel moves, Belgium has lodged a complaint about training pitches, Morocco are unbeaten in 10 matches under coach Mohamed Ouahbi, and Rafael Márquez was appointed Mexico’s new head coach.