The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is entering its most exciting stage as only 14 teams remain in contention after the opening two Round of 16 matches. France and Morocco became the first nations to secure quarterfinal berths, while six more knockout games will determine the remaining contenders over the next three days.
With traditional powers such as Argentina, Brazil, England, Spain and Portugal still alive—and several surprise teams refusing to go away—the tournament is shaping up for a dramatic finish.
World Cup: Which Teams Are Still Alive?
After the Round of 32 and the opening Round of 16 matches, these nations remain in the hunt for the World Cup trophy:
Already in the Quarterfinals
France
Morocco
Still to Play in the Round of 16
Brazil
Norway
Mexico
England
Portugal
Spain
United States
Belgium
Argentina
Egypt
Switzerland
Colombia
France edged Paraguay 1-0, while Morocco produced one of the tournament’s most convincing performances with a 3-0 victory over Canada to become the first quarterfinalists.
Remaining Round of 16 Schedule
Sunday, July 5
Brazil vs. Norway
Mexico vs. England
Monday, July 6
Portugal vs. Spain
United States vs. Belgium
Tuesday, July 7
Argentina vs. Egypt
Switzerland vs. Colombia
Every match is single elimination. Win, and the dream continues. Lose, and the journey ends.
Road to the World Cup Final
One side of the bracket is already taking shape.
Quarterfinals
Confirmed
France vs. Morocco
To Be Decided
Brazil/Norway vs. Mexico/England
Portugal/Spain vs. United States/Belgium
Argentina/Egypt vs. Switzerland/Colombia
Possible Semifinals
The winner of France vs. Morocco will face whichever team survives the Portugal-Spain-USA-Belgium section of the bracket.
The other semifinal will feature the winner from the Brazil-Norway-Mexico-England path against the survivor of Argentina-Egypt-Switzerland-Colombia.
That means several of football’s biggest powers—including Brazil, Argentina and England—cannot all reach the final, ensuring heavyweight clashes before the championship match.
Favorites Still Standing
Despite several surprising eliminations earlier in the tournament, many pre-tournament favorites remain alive.
France has continued to impress behind Kylian Mbappé, while Argentina hopes to defend its world title. Brazil, England, Spain and Portugal all possess squads capable of lifting the trophy, while Belgium seeks one final run from its experienced generation.
The United States, meanwhile, hopes home support can propel it deeper into the tournament as one of the three host nations.
Morocco continues to prove that its remarkable run to the semifinals in Qatar in 2022 was no fluke, while Norway, led by Erling Haaland, has emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Who Has Been Eliminated from the World Cup?
Among the biggest casualties so far are Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia, Canada, Paraguay, Japan and Sweden, highlighting just how unpredictable the expanded 48-team World Cup has become.
When Is the World Cup Final?
The quarterfinals begin on July 9, followed by the semifinals on July 14 and 15.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while the third-place match will take place one day earlier.
