The 2026 FIFA World Cup is down to the final eight. The Socceroos are out, Brazil and Portugal are gone, and the Golden Boot race is on a knife’s edge. Here’s everything Australian fans need to know.
Who is left in the 2026 FIFA World Cup? (Quarter-final fixtures)
Eight teams remain. Here’s the quarter-final schedule in AEST:
- France vs Morocco – Friday 10 July, 6am (Boston)
- Spain vs Belgium – Saturday 11 July, 5am (Los Angeles)
- Norway vs England – Sunday 12 July, 7am (Atlanta)
- Argentina vs Switzerland – Sunday 12 July, 11am (Kansas City)
It is a rematch of the famous 2022 semi-final between France and Morocco, while Norway and Switzerland are the surprise packets. The Swiss have reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.
2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 results
The round of 16 claimed some giants. Brazil, Portugal and co-hosts USA are all gone.
- Canada 0-3 Morocco
- Paraguay 0-1 France
- Brazil 1-2 Norway
- Mexico 2-3 England
- Portugal 0-1 Spain
- USA 1-4 Belgium
- Argentina 3-2 Egypt
- Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (Switzerland won 4-3 on penalties)
Who is winning the Golden Boot race?
Lionel Messi leads on eight goals after scoring Argentina’s equaliser against Egypt in the round of 16, breaking a three-way tie at the top. Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland sit one back on seven apiece, with Harry Kane next on six after his penalty helped England past Mexico. Haaland’s scoring streak for Norway now stretches to 14 consecutive games, and Mbappé holds the tiebreaker edge with two assists to Messi’s none.
Who are the favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Spain remains the team to beat. The reigning European champions cruised past Austria 3-0 for their first World Cup knockout win since 2010, and a blockbuster showdown with Portugal awaits in the round of 16 at AT&T Stadium. France also looks ominous after Kylian Mbappé scored a brace in the 3-0 win over Sweden.
Where is the tournament being held?
For the first time ever, three nations share hosting duties for the FIFA World Cup: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Specifically, the USA hosts matches in 11 cities, Mexico in 3, and Canada in 2. Altogether, there are 16 host cities, each with a single stadium. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, spanning 39 days, and the opening match takes place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final?
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey hosts the final on Sunday 19 July 2026. Meanwhile, for Australians, the final should kick off at roughly 9:00 AM AEST.
Who are the highest paid players at the FIFA World Cup?
This tournament makes history off the pitch too. Indeed, it’s the first World Cup to feature billionaire players – Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Here are the top earners over the last 12 months:
- $300m – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
- $140m – Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- $95m – Kylian Mbappé (France)
- $80m – Erling Haaland (Norway)
- $60m – Vinícius Jr. (Brazil)
How much prize money does the World Cup winner get?
The champion collects US$50 million (AU$72 million) from a total FIFA prize pool of US$871 million, nearly double the pot from Qatar in 2022. Every team that reached the knockout stage is guaranteed at least US$11 million, which means the Socceroos have already banked more than the US$10 million handed to nations eliminated in the group stage. The money goes to national federations rather than directly to players.
How much is the World Cup trophy worth?
The trophy stands 36.8cm tall and contains close to 5kg of 18-karat gold, worth roughly US$713,000 at current prices. Surging gold prices mean the metal alone is valued at more than two and a half times what it was during the 2022 tournament. The real thing lives at the FIFA Museum in Zurich, with winning nations taking home a replica.
How did the Socceroos’ World Cup end?
In heartbreak. Australia drew 1-1 with Egypt after extra time in the round of 32, then lost 4-2 in a penalty shootout – the first shootout in Socceroos World Cup history. Emam Ashour headed Egypt in front in the 13th minute before a Mohamed Hany own goal, turned in from an Aiden O’Neill set piece in the 55th, dragged Australia level. Harry Souttar and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington missed from the spot, and Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the winning penalty. Australia has now played three World Cup knockout ties and lost them all.
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