World Cup 2026 · Day 29
The World Cup quarter-finals begin Thursday with France against Morocco as Egypt file a formal complaint to FIFA over the refereeing in their round of 16 exit
The 2026 World Cup quarter-finals open on Thursday 9 July with France against Morocco at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. Wednesday 8 July was a rest day dominated off the pitch by Egypt, who lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the officiating in their 3-2 round of 16 defeat by Argentina after leading 2-0. The round of 8 runs to Saturday 11 July, with Spain against Belgium on Friday and a Saturday double header of Norway against England and Argentina against Switzerland. Five verified stories.
9 July 2026 · WorldCuply.com daily news archive
FIFAEgypt file a formal complaint to FIFA over the refereeing in their 3-2 round of 16 defeat by Argentina
The Egyptian Football Association has lodged an official complaint with FIFA over the officiating in Egypt's 3-2 round of 16 loss to Argentina, per Al Jazeera, NBC News and Sports Illustrated. Egypt led 2-0 with eleven minutes left before conceding three late goals, and had a Mostafa Zico goal ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up and a penalty appeal turned down. The complaint, submitted by EFA president Hany Abo Rida, alleges serious refereeing mistakes, and coach Hossam Hassan said his team suffered an injustice.
Sources: Al Jazeera · NBC News · Sports Illustrated
ScheduleQuarter-finals run 9 to 11 July, opening with France against Morocco at Gillette Stadium on Thursday
The 2026 World Cup quarter-finals are played from 9 to 11 July, all in the United States, per ESPN, Al Jazeera and NBC News. France against Morocco opens the round on Thursday 9 July at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Spain against Belgium follows on Friday 10 July at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, and Saturday 11 July brings a double header, Norway against England at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and Argentina against Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Sources: ESPN · Al Jazeera · NBC News
PreviewFrance against Morocco, a rematch of the 2022 semi-final, opens the round of 8 on Thursday
The quarter-finals begin with a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final, when France beat Morocco 2-0 in Qatar, per Goal, Yahoo Sports and bet365 News. The sides meet on 9 July at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with Morocco through after eliminating co-hosts Canada and France advancing past Paraguay. The winner books a semi-final place on 14 July.
Sources: Goal · Yahoo Sports · bet365 News
SpainSpain carry a record six straight World Cup clean sheets into their quarter-final against Belgium
Spain have yet to concede a goal at the 2026 tournament and hold the longest World Cup clean sheet run in history, six matches, ahead of their quarter-final against Belgium on Friday 10 July, per Al Jazeera. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia rotated for the round of 16, leaving Jeremy Doku out and Kevin De Bruyne on the bench for the first time in 38 Belgium games. The tie is at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Sources: Al Jazeera
NorwayHaaland's Norway, with seven goals in four games, meet England in the last eight on Saturday
Erling Haaland has scored seven goals in four appearances at the 2026 World Cup, including the winner against Ivory Coast and both goals in a 2-1 win over Brazil, per Al Jazeera, ahead of Norway's quarter-final against England on Saturday 11 July. Thomas Tuchel's England reached the last eight with a win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. The tie is at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Sources: Al Jazeera