Cup

The Belgian football federation has vowed “to challenge” FIFA’s controversial reversal of a red card game suspension against Folarin Balogun, which allows the star USA player to take the field in the round of 16 World Cup match against Belgium.

The statement on Monday from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) came hours before the match was set to begin, and as US President Donald Trump defended directly reaching out to FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino ahead of the controversial decision.

The federation charged that FIFA did not follow the proper protocol in allowing an appeal of its lifting of Balogun’s game suspension, the result of a red card shown during the round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The RBFA said, given FIFA’s conduct, the federation “has no alternative but to challenge [Balogun’s] eligibility for the upcoming match”. It was not immediately clear how such a challenge would proceed.

“Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole,” the federation said.

Trump says he asked Infantino to ‘review’ the decision

The decision to lift Balogun’s one-game suspension came shortly after Trump spoke directly to Infantino.

That has raised eyebrows and accusations of political meddling in the tournament, with critics noting it is exceedingly rare for FIFA to lift a game suspension during the World Cup, even when a referee makes a questionable call.

If Balogun is allowed to play, it would be the first time since 1962 that a red card issued at the World Cup did not result in a suspension.

FIFA has said it relied on Article 27 of its disciplinary committee rules to reverse the game ban. The provision states “the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure”.

FIFA had earlier said the game ban could not be appealed by Team USA.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump denied that he directly influenced FIFA’s decision.

“All ⁠I did, I asked for a review, ⁠because I didn’t ⁠think it ⁠was a foul,” Trump told reporters.

“I thought it was two great athletes that crashed [into] each other and got entangled.”

He further called football referee Raphael Claus “very suspect”. He added, “If you want, I’ll provide you with the past”, without providing further details.

Later on Monday, Infantino also released his version of the call, which he said was among many he regularly receives from “heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues”.

Infantino maintained he was not involved in the decision on Balogun’s suspension and was only made aware after it was released.

“During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies,” he said.

‘Keep politics out’

To be sure, several leading football pundits have questioned the decision by Claus to show Balogun the red card.

Many have argued that Balogun incidentally stepped on the ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during an otherwise legitimate challenge, and the contact did not warrant the potentially tournament-transforming penalty.

Nevertheless, the unusual series of events is likely to cast a further pall of politics over the games ahead, adding to criticism of the Trump administration’s treatment of Iran’s national team.

Observers have said the optics of Trump’s intervention could taint any future success of the USA team, which has far exceeded expectations under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

“This is embarrassing to a wonderful US team and a wonderful player,” Shibley Telhami, a professor of peace and development at the University of Maryland, wrote on X following FIFA’s decision.

“Keep politics out. This US team is good enough to win honourably. Now, a win will be diminished.”

Four wins to go. How can your team reach the final and win the World Cup 2026? Click here to find out.

Who: Argentina vs Egypt
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
Where: Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States
When: Tuesday, July 7, at 12pm (16:00 GMT)
How to follow: We will have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 12:30 GMT before our live text commentary stream.

Get ready for a spicy battle of the number 10s – a dazzling duel between Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah, two of the greatest forwards in world football, as Argentina face Egypt in the World Cup round of 16.

Argentina have been the clear favourites in every game they’ve played at the tournament, but after being made to work for victory in the last tie, the presumption that the reigning champions are unbeatable has been broken.

Egypt, on the other hand, are on a historic run of their own, gearing up to chase a first-ever quarterfinal berth. One of only two African sides remaining at the tournament, they carry the hopes of the continent and have gone toe-to-toe with the world’s best.

Al Jazeera tells you everything about Argentina vs Egypt:

How did Argentina and Egypt reach the round of 16?

Argentina topped Group J with a perfect record of nine points, winning against Austria, Algeria and Jordan. In the round of 32, they were pushed to extra time by a resilient Cape Verde team before edging past the tournament debutants 3-2 in a thrilling contest.

Egypt came second in Group G with five points, drawing with Belgium and Iran and winning against New Zealand. They defeated Australia 4-2 on penalties in the round of 32 after the game was tied 1-1 following extra time. It marked the first-ever World Cup knockout for Egypt, who made their tournament debut in 1934.

More World Cup history beckons for Messi

This tournament’s Golden Boot race is one for the ages.

Argentina legend Messi, France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland are all tied at seven goals, with Mbappe leading the list, his two assists breaking the tie.

If Messi – who has scored in each of Argentina’s four games so far – finds the net against Egypt, not only will he become the Golden Boot leader, but he will also join Guillermo Stabile (1930) as the only Argentina player to score eight goals in a single World Cup.

But ahead of Tuesday’s last-16 tie, there have been concerns about fatigue, and it’s not just limited to Messi.

Argentina were forced to play extra time by Cape Verde in the heat in Miami in the US on Friday, while Egypt-Australia went all the way to penalties on the same day. Those gruelling knockout games left both teams with little time for rest and recovery.

Messi admitted after the last match that he was tired, and he lamented Argentina’s inability to press their opponents high up the pitch.

Meanwhile, Egypt relied heavily on their defensive organisation and looked to Salah and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush to launch counterattacks against ⁠Australia, an approach they could employ again against Argentina.

For Egypt, a fully fit Salah could be crucial after the attacking winger entered the Australia match with a hamstring concern and at times appeared reluctant to sprint at full speed during a draining 120-minute ‌contest.

If Egypt stun Argentina, they will become the fifth African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002), Ghana (2010) and Morocco (2022 and 2026).

Argentina vs Egypt prediction

The Opta supercomputer gives Argentina a 69.1 percent likelihood of winning in regulation time, while Egypt’s chances of winning are 12.3 percent.

The model estimates a 18.5 percent probability of the game going to extra time.

Argentina vs Egypt: Kickoff, TV schedule

• Argentina: TyC Sports, TyC Sports Play (1pm, Argentina Standard Time)
• Egypt: beIN Sports (7pm, Egypt Standard Time)
• US: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock (noon, Eastern Daylight Time)
• United Kingdom: BBC One, BBC iPlayer (5pm, British Summer Time)

To check the TV listings for your country, head to FIFA’s TV listing schedule here.

Who will the winner face in the quarterfinals?

The winner of the Argentina vs Egypt match will play either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarterfinals in Kansas City in the US on Saturday, July 11.

Argentina vs Egypt: Head-to-head

This will be the first World Cup match between Argentina and Egypt.

Their last meeting was a friendly in Cairo in 2008, which Argentina won 2-0.

Argentina are on an eight-game winning run against African nations at the World Cup, with two of those coming in this edition (3-0 vs Algeria, 3-2 vs Cape Verde). No side in the competition’s history has won three games against African opponents in a single edition before.

Argentina vs Egypt: Team news

Argentina’s Gonzalez (ankle injury) and Medina (physical discomfort) are doubtful, while Egypt’s Fatouh (muscle) and El Fotouh (hamstring) are out injured.

Argentina’s predicted lineup

(4-4-2): E Martinez (goalkeeper); Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, Lautaro

Egypt’s predicted lineup

(4-2-3-1): Shobeir (goalkeeper); Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hafez; Fathy, Ateya; Ashour, Salah, Marmoush; Zico

For some Egyptian football fans, watching Mohamed Salah qualify with Egypt for two World Cups in 2018 and 2026 will never make up for the fact that the “golden generation” did not get their shot in 2006, 2010 or 2014.

“It is unfair to compare the two generations,” Ahmed Elshiekh, a former national team player who now covers the World Cup for Modern MTI TV, told Al Jazeera.

“The golden generation did everything but get to the World Cup. They beat Italy [when they were World Cup champions]. The draw in qualification was just unkind to them.”

Salah is the captain and leader of the current generation. He won every trophy on offer while playing for Liverpool in a glittering nine-year career that saw him become the highest scoring foreigner in the history of the English Premier League.

Given his status, it is perhaps no surprise that Salah shouldered the blame for an AFCON drought that stretches back to 2010. His achievement in dragging Egypt to the 2018 World Cup in Russia is brushed aside due to the fact that Egypt was the first team to be eliminated. A half-fit Salah, who had dislocated his shoulder in the UEFA Champions League final, scored twice, but Egypt lost all three matches, including to Saudi Arabia.

The failures were compounded when Egypt lost the 2021 AFCON final to Senegal on penalty kicks. Thirteen months later, Egypt met Senegal in a World Cup playoff and once again lost on penalty kicks. In the first shootout, Salah was designated as the fifth taker but never got a chance to take his penalty. For the second shootout, perhaps realising his mistake, he went first and missed.

Salah might have been one of the best players in the Premier League, but Egypt fans were frustrated. To soothe their pain, they hung on to the memories of a team that was crowned African champions in 2006, 2008 and 2010 – successes that were spearheaded by the legendary midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika, who is equally famous for his “Sympathise with Gaza” T-shirt as he is for his immaculate first touch.

The despondence was so deep that fans had lost hope for their national team. AFCON 2023 was blighted by an injury to Salah, who elected to return to Liverpool for rehabilitation but promised to return should the team advance to the final. Egypt’s tournament ended shortly after that statement, courtesy of a penalty shootout defeat in the round of 16.

Working at that time as an analyst for Egyptian TV, now-Egypt manager Hossam Hassan said that if Salah had done that on his watch, he would “never pick him for the national team again”.

A couple of weeks later, Hassan was appointed to lead the national team after Rui Vitoria’s dismissal.

It was widely speculated that the only reason the Egyptian Football Association hired Hassan was because the currency crisis had prevented them from attracting a foreign manager.

“Hossam Hassan as a player has achieved everything you can imagine,” Elsheikh said, referencing the former striker’s record 69 goals for Egypt and three AFCON titles.

“But as a manager, we saw what he can produce, and the results were not great. … Also he brought problems and created crises.”

The crises Elsheikh referred to have been a hallmark of Hassan’s journeyman coaching career marked by brawls and altercations with fans.

But the appointment proved to be a stroke of unintended genius.

Salah finds form under Hassan

Instead of falling out with Salah, he and Hassan became joined at the hip. If there was anyone who could understand the pressure of Salah’s position, it was Hassan, who had lived it all before but with the added pressure of having played mostly in Egypt and having crossed the Cairo divide when he left Al Ahly to sign with bitter rivals Zamalek.

“Hassan does have a captain’s personality and is very energetic. He might not be the strongest tactically, but he does provide a solid defensive base” Elsheikh said.

Salah has enjoyed a rich vein of form under Hassan’s tutelage. Egypt qualified for the 2026 World Cup undefeated, winning eight out of their 10 matches. The team also reached the semifinals of the 2025 AFCON tournament – not that the achievement silenced any of the doubters.

Of course, it’s not all about Salah. Egypt have a raft of talented players, including Man City’s Omar Marmoush and Al Ahly’s Emam Ashour.

Their undefeated team is going into the round of 16 to face defending champions Argentina on Tuesday. Egypt have overcome a great deal of adversity to reach this stage of the tournament as well.

A second-half comeback against New Zealand in the group stage was needed to secure the nation’s first win at a World Cup. Salah exited the final group game against Iran with a hamstring injury but played all 120 minutes of the penalty shootout win over Australia in the last 32. The 34-year-old converted his kick with a Panenka against Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

In the aftermath of that victory, Aboutrika, now an analyst for beIN Sports, did his best to pass the baton to the new generation.

Goalscorer Ashour had expressed his joy at being compared to Aboutrika, saying his ambition was to be “as half as good or even a quarter as good as him”.

Later on in the studio, Aboutrika responded by saying: “You are better than [me]. You’ve scored two goals in a World Cup,” and insisting that this was the biggest night in the history of Egyptian football.

Not everyone is so convinced.

“This Egypt team is better than any we have seen in years yet is still remarkably fragile,” opined Karim Zidan, a writer focused on the intersection of sports, power and politics.

Salah, meanwhile, was once again asked who was the greatest Egyptian player of all time and again deferred to Aboutrika, saying “there is absolutely no discussion.”

There is one overriding question many people are now asking. How?

Fifa’s disciplinary code states that Balogun should receive a ban of “at least two matches for serious foul play”.

Indeed, the World Cup rules do not allow teams to appeal against a red card.

Fifa’s statement offered no reason or explanation for suspending Balogun’s ban. It just cited “article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code”.

Article 27 allows Fifa “to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure”.

It is a wide-ranging rule that allows Fifa to effectively make whatever decision it wants without having to meet any other criteria.

Article 27 has never before been used at a World Cup.

In addition, Balogun’s suspended ban is only for one match, not two as per the disciplinary code. This has not been explained.

BBC Sport has asked why this happened.

But we were not provided with any reasoning. We were simply directed to Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspended ban before this tournament.

Under Fifa’s disciplinary code, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2-0 qualifying defeat by the Republic of Ireland in November.

He served one match in the final qualifier against Armenia – but the remaining two games of the ban were suspended.

Ronaldo’s red card, though, was received in qualifying. It was not a red card at a World Cup.

There have been many cases of players being shown some leniency before a tournament, not just Ronaldo.

See France’s Laurent Koscielny in 2014, or Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo and Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi before this World Cup.

At least with Ronaldo, we were given some justification, with Fifa saying it had taking into account that “he had no red cards in his other 225 international appearances”.

With Balogun, we did not even get that.

It has left a vacuum of information which can only lead to speculation.

Why was this a special case? What factors were taken into account? Who made the decision?

BBC Sport has been told there are no suggestions that the referee asked for the suspension to be removed, or that video assistant referee protocol was not respected.

In England, the Football Association would publish the full written reasons.

The United States have the right to ask Fifa to publish them, Belgium do not.

BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards, a former England defender, said it was a farce.

“To have it suspended for a year makes a mockery of the whole tournament,” he said.

“It is to keep the big stars in the competition. How can that happen? Fifa needs to do better.

“It has left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths.”

Belgium are, of course, furious. They issued a statement on Sunday saying they were “astonished” that Balogun had been cleared to play.

The Belgian FA referenced several regulations, workshop presentations and pre-tournament co-ordination meetings.

They are adamant that the decision contradicts the tournament regulations which state that a player “will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match”.

In effect, they say Fifa used its disciplinary code to override the competition regulations.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia, speaking at a news conference, went further. He said: “I didn’t know that [at] the Fifa World Cup 5 July is now 1 April, and that is April Fool’s.

“We are not defending the national team or the federation, we’re defending football.”

What must the other players sent off at this tournament be thinking?

Take Qatar’s Assim Madibo, involved in an unfortunate incident which led to a broken leg for Canada’s midfielder Ismael Kone.

There is a clear case here that Madibo did not even make a challenge, that the injury happened by chance and not because of the nature of the tackle.

Yet Fifa handed Madibo a five-game ban – an extra three on top of the standard punishment for serious foul play.

Mexico’s World Cup dream ended with a thrilling 3-2 loss to England in the Round of 16, but many of the host nation’s fans celebrated their team despite the loss.

Four wins to go. How can your team reach the final and win the World Cup 2026? Click here to find out.

Who: Portugal vs Spain
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
Where: Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, the United States
When: Monday, July 6, at 2pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We will have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT before our live text commentary stream.

A clash of generations awaits on Monday as ageing football star Cristiano Ronaldo goes up against teen prodigy Lamine Yamal in the World Cup round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain.

The “Iberian derby” marks a rematch of last year’s UEFA Nations League final, which Portugal won by beating European champions Spain on penalties.

Yet, it is not Portugal who are the favourites for this meeting in Dallas. After squeezing their way into the last-16 and a tumultuous run in the group stage, Ronaldo and his side face an uphill task to outshine Spain’s new golden generation.

Since a shock goalless draw in the opening game, Spain have grown into the tournament, and their slick playmaking coupled with solid defence makes them frontrunners to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years.

Al Jazeera tells you everything about Portugal vs Spain, a battle of the two pre-tournament favourites:

How did Portugal and Spain reach the round of 16?

Portugal came second in Group J with five points, thrashing Uzbekistan and being held to draws by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia. In the round of 32, they controversially scraped past Croatia, bouncing back from a goal down to win 2-1.

Spain topped Group H with seven points, beating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, and being held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde. In the round of 32, they stormed past Austria 3-0. La Roja are unbeaten in their last 34 matches (W25 D9), one shy of equalling their longest-ever unbeaten run of 35 set between February 2007 and June 2009.

Ronaldo’s last dance?

At age 41, fading forward Ronaldo is still Portugal’s most influential player, not because of his prowess on the pitch but his larger-than-life status off of it. Though he still demands attention in a supremely talented team while contributing less on the pitch, it is safe to say Ronaldo’s once explosive powers are in decline.

Heading into the tournament, there was always speculation about his future, with the 2026 World Cup possibly his last. While Ronaldo – the second-oldest player at the tournament – has fended off questions about what’s next, his sister said he would retire from national duty at the end of the World Cup.

That makes each one of Portugal’s knockout games more intense – if they lose, it could bring down the curtain on Ronaldo’s international career.

From club to country, Ronaldo has won several trophies in a decorated career over the years, but if Portugal fall to Spain, his glittering collection will remain incomplete without the shiny, golden World Cup trophy.

‘World Cup starts now’: Yamal

After a hamstring injury threatened to derail Yamal’s debut World Cup campaign, the 18-year-old winger has stepped up and is slowly stealing the spotlight in North America.

A man-of-the-match performance in Spain’s first tournament knockout win over Austria highlighted the talented youngster’s impact, two years on from his dazzling display that helped Spain win Euro 2024.

“I want to advance through the rounds and win with Spain,” said Yamal. “We aren’t afraid of any team. We are Spain.”

“The World Cup starts now.”

Yamal has bagged one goal so far, while Mikel Oyarzabal leads the team’s scoring chart with four. Spain ‌are ‌unbeaten in 34 matches and chasing their second World Cup title, 16 years after their first in South Africa in 2010.

Portugal vs Spain prediction

The Opta supercomputer gives Spain a 49.2 percent likelihood of winning in regulation time, while Portugal’s chances of winning are 25.6 percent.

The model estimates a 25.2 percent probability of the game going to extra time.

Portugal vs Spain: Kickoff time, TV channels

• Portugal: RTP1, SPORT.TV5, LiveModeTV, RTP Play  (8pm, Western European Summer Time)
• Spain:  (9pm, Central European Summer Time)
• United Kingdom: BBC One, BBC iPlayer (8pm, British Summer Time)
• United States: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock (3pm, Eastern Daylight Time)

To check the TV listings for your country, head to FIFA’s TV listing schedule here.

Who will the winner face in the quarterfinals?

The winner of the Portugal vs Spain match will face either the USA or Belgium in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles in the US on Friday, July 10.

Portugal vs Spain: Head-to-head

There has been little to separate Portugal and Spain across their five previous meetings at major tournaments, with each side winning once and the remaining three matches ending in draws.

That includes their most recent World Cup meeting, a 3-3 draw in 2018, in which Ronaldo scored a hat-trick.

In the all-time head-to-head, the teams have played 41 times, with Spain winning 18 times, Portugal seven times, and the sides playing out 16 draws.

Portugal will take confidence from having defeated Spain, albeit in a shootout, in their most recent meeting in the UEFA Nations League final in June 2025.

Portugal vs Spain: Team news

Spain’s Nico Williams is out with a hamstring injury. No issues are reported in the Portugal camp.

Portugal’s predicted lineup

(4-2-3-1): Costa (goalkeeper); Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo

Spain’s predicted lineup

(4-2-3-1): Simon (goalkeeper); Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal

With his quiet brilliance, incredible goal-scoring ability and sly smile, Norway’s Erling Haaland has etched his name in history yet again.

“It is one of the most insane days in Norwegian history,” Haaland, arguably the country’s greatest footballer, said moments after leading Norway into the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.

The 25-year-old’s late brace dumped record five-time champions Brazil out of the tournament and sent his team into the last eight for the first time in history.

It is widely believed that on his towering frame, broad shoulders and inherent knack for scoring goals, Haaland knows how to carry Norway when it matters most.

After being a non-factor for much of the afternoon and having limited touches on the ball, Haaland spoke at the second-half hydration break with coach Stale Solbakken, who told him to drain his energy and go for it.

Solbakken’s wish was Haaland’s command as he headed in the first goal of the match in the 79th minute and scored again before the end of regulation time.

He sits comfortably at the top of the goal-scorers’ list for his country with 62 to his name in 54 appearances, at an impressive rate of 1.15 goals per game. The long-haired forward is often called “the smiling assassin” in a nod to the pairing of his skilful finishing and cool demeanour.

Haaland’s scoring streak for Norway has now reached 27 goals in 14 games, and despite being crowned man of the match, a humble Haaland relegated the team’s heroics to goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

“For me, he’s my man of the match, even though I scored the goals. He prevented so many goals that would have probably sent us back home,” Haaland told reporters after the win.

“He’s the reason why we’re going to be playing the quarterfinal for the first time in our history – much respect to him.”

In the shadows of Messi, Mbappe and Ronaldo

The Manchester City striker has gone level with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot with seven goals apiece so far, but came from behind to join the footballing giants in lifting his country at the biggest stage.

Pre-tournament headlines were dominated by what Messi could do, what Cristiano Ronaldo might do, and what Mbappe was expected to do.

Haaland’s biggest triumph was leading Norway back to the World Cup after nearly three decades, and the Viking hero has stormed through the tournament with sheer force and masterful skill to write his own storyline.

The 195cm (6ft 5-inch) tall striker’s rise to the upper echelons of the sport has been marked by humility, self-belief and single-mindedness.

“I have peaked a few times during this tournament, but every time, there is a new peak,” Haaland said after the victory against Brazil.

“If I receive one or two chances, they usually end up in a goal. I don’t really know what I do; this is just the way I am. It’s all about staying focused, and when the chance comes, I know exactly what to do.”

‘This night will be remembered forever’

The gravity of the moment was not lost on Haaland after his side shocked Brazil and sent Neymar into international retirement.

“Scoring twice against Brazil is something I will treasure forever, but those goals don’t belong to me alone,” Haaland said in a post-match interview.

“They belong to every teammate who sacrificed everything, every coach who believed in us, every supporter who stood by us through the difficult years, and every child in Norway who now believes that anything is possible.

“This is a night that will be remembered forever in every Norwegian home. We didn’t just beat Brazil, we gave our nation a memory that will live on for generations,” Haaland said after admitting that the win brought tears to his eyes.

“No matter what happens next, nobody can ever take this feeling, these tears, or this piece of history away from us.”

While his counterparts entered the World Cup as global household names, Haaland was a social media sensation, known for his witty Snapchat stories and Instagram content, which made him a more relatable, playful, almost goofy icon that broke away from the traditional path to stardom.

In true Haaland fashion – and, as the memes rightfully predicted – the Norwegian star posted a cheeky photo straight from the locker room with his jersey scrunched around his neck that racked up millions of likes within hours.

‘Defenders hate playing against him’

When asked if Haaland’s strength and speed make him a dangerous player, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti argued that it is actually his timing.

“He doesn’t waste energy chasing every ball or wrestling defenders for 90 minutes. He studies them, he waits, he understands exactly when a defender loses concentration.

“Then, in one second, he’s gone,” Ancelotti said in a post-match interview. “You can defend perfectly against him for 89 minutes, but football is decided by moments, and [Haaland] is probably the best in the world at recognising those moments.

“That’s why defenders hate playing against him. You think you’ve controlled him all game, and suddenly, he’s celebrating another goal.”

What’s next for the Vikings?

Haaland and co are up against Harry Kane’s side after England snuck past cohosts Mexico into the quarterfinals with a 3-2 win at Estadio Azteca.

As Norway take on England on Saturday, Haaland will have yet another chance to shine for his country and rewrite history.

But for now, the moment is his.

“Everyone just needs to enjoy themselves,” he told his countrymen across the Atlantic as he literally helmed the now-famous Viking row boat on the pitch in celebration.

“This is just an insane day. Like I said, it’s one of the most insane days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it. Embrace it and enjoy the moment.”

The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals lineup as it builds, with match kickoff times and locations.

As the biggest FIFA World Cup in history enters its fourth week, fewer than half of the 48 teams that kicked off the tournament remain in contention to win the title in North America.

The quarterfinals are now under way, with four of the last eight teams confirmed on the second day of action in the round of 16.

Some nations confirmed for the third stage of the knockouts recorded comfortable victories, while others had late scares but pulled through.

Here’s what you need to know about the World Cup’s quarterfinal stage:

Which teams are in the quarterfinals so far?

• Morocco
• France
• Norway
• England

What’s the schedule of the remaining round-of-16 matches?

• Portugal vs Spain on Monday, July 6, at 2pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, United States
• USA vs Belgium on Monday, July 6, at 5pm (00:00 GMT, Tuesday) – Seattle Stadium, US
• Switzerland vs Colombia on Tuesday, July 7, at 1pm (20:00 GMT) – BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, Canada
• Argentina vs Egypt on Tuesday, July 7, at 12pm (16:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, US

What’s the full match schedule for the World Cup quarterfinals?

• France vs Morocco on Thursday, July 9, at 4pm (20:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, US
• USA/Belgium vs Portugal/Spain on Friday, July 10, at 12pm (19:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, US
• Norway vs England on Saturday, July 11, at 5pm (19:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, US
• Argentina/Egypt vs Switzerland/Colombia on Sunday, July 12, at 8pm (01:00 GMT, Monday) – Kansas City Stadium, US

Where can you watch the World Cup games?

Fans in the US can watch every match in English on Fox and FS1, with all 104 games also available to stream on Fox One and the Fox Sports app.

Spanish-language coverage in the US is available on Telemundo and Universo, with streaming through Peacock. Cord-cutters can also watch via services that carry Fox and FS1, including Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV.

In Canada, TSN is the primary English-language broadcaster, with selected matches also shown on CTV. French-language viewers can follow the action on RDS and RDS2.

Long before kick-off, thousands of Norway supporters had gathered outside the stadium, many draped in Viking helmets, waving giant red flags and singing songs that have become familiar throughout this World Cup.

There was excitement, naturally, but also something else – belief. A quiet confidence that this team could compete with anyone.

For years, Norway have watched major tournaments from afar despite producing world-class talent.

This is only their fourth World Cup appearance – the first since 1998. And the furthest they had gone before this year were two last-16 finishes 50 years apart, in 1938 and 1998.

They had not won a World Cup knockout tie until last Tuesday. Now they have won two in a row – the latest against the five-time winners and most-decorated side in the tournament.

“I said to the boys that I don’t think it’s 50-50, but we have a fair chance if we play at our best and have match-winners, and we had that,” Norway boss Solbakken said.

At full-time, it was Haaland who led the celebrations, banging the drum as he and his team-mates performed the iconic Viking Row with their supporters.

“This is just an insane day,” said Haaland. “It is one of the most insane days in Norwegian history.”

Warnock said: “He is hugely emotional and rightly so. He plays in one of the best teams in world football, in terms of clubs.

“But when you play for Norway they’re not a huge name. Norway are starting to make history for themselves, and he is at the forefront of that.”

Solbakken said: “The whole nation is rowing together, and with that, I mean that we are having a great party here and in Oslo and in all the other big and small cities all the way through Norway.

“The rowing is in a way a symbol of that, and that we are all together. So I think it’s great days, it’s a great summer to be a fan – I think it’s better to be a fan than a coach.”

The rowing has taken over the World Cup. And now Rooney will have to row down the River Mersey, external after promising he would if Norway made the quarter-finals.

England were reduced to 10 men in their crucial World Cup last-16 match with Mexico and also had a controversial penalty awarded against them in a lively encounter at the Azteca Stadium.

The Three Lions led 2-0 in the first half thanks to two goals in as many minutes from Jude Bellingham, but Julian Quinones pulled a goal back just before the break.

However, the game exploded into life in the second half with two big moments.

First Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute after a review by the video assistant referee showed he clearly went in on Jesus Gallardo with his studs up.

The moment briefly buoyed Mexico’s fans but England soon went 3-1 up when Harry Kane converted a penalty.

“It is a clear red card,” Darren Cann, the 2010 World Cup final assistant referee said on BBC One.

“Quansah does play the ball first but that doesn’t matter in the laws of the game.

“He goes through and you can clearly see the studs on the shin. The referee has no choice but to show the red card.

“100% a red card.”

England restored their two goal advantage when Harry Kane converted a penalty, but Mexico again fought back when they were awarded a spot-kick.

Kane appeared to clip Brian Gutierrez and after referee Alireza Faghani went to the monitor to review the incident he awarded a penalty, which Raul Jimenez converted.

“It is a penalty,” added Cann.

“Kane unfortunately does kick the Mexico player’s foot. It is a little bit similar to the [Luka] Modric kick which England got a penalty for in the first group game. Kane is unaware of the player coming in behind.”

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart felt all the key decisions made were correct.

“I think the referee has come to the right decision on all three [both penalties and the red card],” he said on BBC One.

“I felt every single one… as soon as I saw the replays, my heart was in my mouth. Quansah deserved to go, Kane didn’t get the ball and Gordon [for the England penalty] got to the ball first.”

Four years ago Brazil were unlucky to go out of the World Cup to Croatia in the quarter-finals. Four years prior that they were also slightly unfortunate to fall to Belgium at the same stage. This time they failed even to get that far and there was nothing unlucky about their loss to Norway.

This, frankly, is an unmitigated disaster.

Carlo Ancelotti arrived with his band aid after a 4-1 thrashing by Argentina in March of last year.

Of his 16 games in charge of the national team he has won 10, drew three and lost three. He turned around a side that had struggled in World Cup qualifying, losing four out of five games prior to his arrival.

But that has not proved enough.

Brazil now need major surgery – starting with the area of the field where they used to be so strong, so creative, so entrancing – the midfield.

Turning their back on imaginative central midfield play has lost Brazil some friends along the way, and it is also losing them matches. The fact that they were comprehensively outpassed by Norway on a warm summer’s afternoon at this World Cup is simply astonishing – but it has to do with the make up of the side.

Ancelotti was a hostage to Casemiro. The first thing the coach did was recall the player from 18 months in the international wilderness.

There were plusses. Casemiro gave the team structure and freed Bruno Guimaraes, who until his early missed penalty against Norway – and what a difference that might have made – was enjoying a fine tournament.

But Casemiro’s vulnerability in open space was always a problem – clear in the second minute when Norway had a goal disallowed. And so the way Brazil defended was to drop deep and watch Norway exchange their passes and grow in confidence.

And then there is the absence of Lucas Paqueta, injured in the previous round against Japan. Ancelotti confessed that he did not have another player with the same characteristics. In came Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, which had the effect of making the team’s attack almost entirely dependent on quick direct breaks.

The coach made an error with his initial call up – having only five midfielders was a serious lapse, and when right back Wesley was injured in the final warm-up game Ancelotti used the opportunity to bring in potential Manchester United signing Ederson. But if the coach is to blame then so is the country.

Belgium’s football federation (RBFA) says it is “astonished” by FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend the one-match red card ban on USA striker Folarin Balogun and is “investigating all potential options” to uphold integrity in the sport.

The World Cup was plunged into uproar on Sunday after FIFA suspended a red card given to Balogun ahead of the host nation’s clash with Belgium, in a bombshell move welcomed by US President Donald Trump but slammed by Belgian officials.

The extraordinary FIFA ruling means that Balogun is now free to play for the USA against Belgium on Monday in Seattle, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it is “investigating all potential options” to “safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport”.

“I didn’t know that at the FIFA World Cup, the 5th of July is now the 1st of April, and that it’s April Fool’s Day,” added Belgium coach Rudi Garcia at a news conference.

“A lot of our thoughts and opinions are in the release,” Garcia said.

“We’re not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football.”

Balogun had been set to miss Monday’s last-16 knockout clash with the Belgians after receiving a straight red card following a video review for stepping on the foot of a Bosnian defender in a round-of-32 clash that the US won 2-0.

Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically triggers a one-game ban, which cannot be appealed by the player’s team.

But FIFA said on Sunday that the ban will now be suspended for a year, in a stunning move for which no specific explanation was offered.

It is the first instance of a red-carded player being allowed to play in his team’s subsequent match since the introduction of the yellow and red card rules at the 1970 edition of the World Cup.

‘We are not the bad men’

Top scorer Balogun has been key to the USA’s progress in the tournament, netting three times, and his absence against Belgium would have been a blow to the team in Seattle.

The stakes are huge for the cohosts, whose strong start to the tournament has raised expectations to fever-pitch levels among the American public, and they are targeting a run to at least the quarterfinals. The last time the USA reached the quarters was in 2002.

Balogun himself had said on Friday that the red card ban was “something I have to just accept”.

However, the 25-year-old celebrated FIFA’s U-turn with an Instagram post of himself in the US team jersey and Michael Jackson’s Bad attached as the audio.

USA players and officials welcomed the news, which they received on their way to training on Sunday morning.

“I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first,” defender Chris Richards said. “I think we were really excited because we found out through social media; it was cool. It was a lot of question marks, but just very, very happy and excited overall.”

“It feels right,” forward Christian Pulisic added. “Really excited for him to have this opportunity. To see the smile on his face and to be able to give us a boost tomorrow is great.”

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino said that “it’s a fair decision because it should have never been a red card”, calling the punishment “too big” for an unintentional foul.

“It’s not that we are victims, but we are not the bad men, the mean ones here,” he said.

FIFA decision ‘a bit of a surprise’

In its statement, FIFA pointed to “article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code”, which allows the suspension to be “suspended for a probationary period of one year”.

Balogun would serve the ban only if he commits another similar foul in the next year, it said.

There is some precedent for the decision.

Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo earned a three-game ban for an elbow during qualifying last year, but had two matches of his ban suspended.

The move, which allowed Ronaldo to play in Portugal’s World Cup opener, drew criticism at the time.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said it was “a bit of a surprise” that Balogun was cleared to play just a day before the match.

“Had it been done earlier, we’d have been able to be mentally more prepared, perhaps,” he said.

FIFA’s decision has stirred up a social media storm, with mixed reactions to the suspension.

DR Congo footballer Yannick Bolasie expressed his dismay at the decision by saying the reaction to FIFA’s U-turn would have been quite different had it been taken in the Africa Cup of Nations.

England’s World Cup last-16 match with Mexico has been delayed by one hour because of severe weather and is set to kick off at 02:00 BST on Monday (Sunday, 19:00 local time).

There has been heavy rain in Mexico City during the day and reports of lightning above the Azteca Stadium, which is staging the match.

Play cannot begin until 30 minutes have passed since lightning was last detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.

Fifa held talks with the English and Mexican football associations on Friday after proposing the match be moved to 19:00 BST on Sunday (12:00 local time) before a U-turn resulted in the kick-off time remaining unchanged.

The game will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app.

England head coach Charlotte Edwards praised her side’s performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, insisting “our time will come”, after England are beaten by seven wickets by Australia at Lord’s.

MATCH REPORT: England’s hopes crushed as Australia win T20 World Cup

Available to UK users only.

SEATTLE — Folarin Balogun will be able to play for the U.S. in Monday’s World Cup elimination game with Belgium after FIFA rescinded the one-game suspension it handed down when Balogun drew a red card in the second half of the team’s round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week.

In a statement released Sunday morning, FIFA said “In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

Balogun leads the U.S. with three goals in as many games. He is the first American to score three times in a World Cup since 1930.

Balogun got the red card after colliding with Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic 16 minutes into the second half when the Bosnian defender planted his right leg below Balogun’s right foot, the American inadvertently stomped on his right ankle, twisting it awkwardly.

Both players went down and referee Raphael Claus did not signal a foul or pull a card. But after the video assistant referee urged him to watch a replay, Claus walked away from the monitor and flashed the red card.

After the game Balogun shook Claus’ hand on the pitch. And on Friday, in his first public comments, he spoke respectfully of the decision to give him a red card.

U.S. Soccer also released a statement Sunday.

“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” the statement said. ”Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”

A U.S. Soccer spokesman said the team was informed of FIFA’s decision Sunday morning and Balogun was told the suspension had been lifted during a bus ride to training.

Mexico supporters attempted to wake up England players with music and fireworks close to their hotel the night before the sides’ last-16 World Cup tie, but were moved back by police.

Footage published on social media appears to show a group of fans chanting, playing music and letting off fireworks on a street nearby England’s hotel in Mexico City.

Early indications from the England camp are it had minimal impact on the players.

Police in riot gear have been lining the streets immediately surrounding the hotel, with anyone attempting to get close being moved away.

The increased security presence comes because Ecuador – beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the World Cup last 32 – lodged a noise complaint with world governing body Fifa after fans with loudspeakers, motorbikes and horns disrupted their sleep last week.

The World Cup co-hosts play England at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on Sunday evening local time (01:00 BST, Monday).

On Saturday, the team were met with a mixture of cheers and jeers from fans as they left their hotel for training under enhanced security measures.

England boss Thomas Tuchel dismissed concerns over his side’s treatment in Mexico, saying it had been “nicer” than he expected and that home fans were “friendly and respectful”.

Cape Verde’s football team is getting a hero’s welcome on its return home after a historic World Cup run, in which it became the smallest nation by population ever to reach the tournament’s knockout rounds.

But England do not have to remove direct play from their game entirely.

By managing the space and speed of the game, they can pick their moments to release the likes of Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and Jude Bellingham.

If England do opt to play more slowly, they will also be hoping these ‘boring’ spells of play work to silence the Mexican home crowd.

The decision to pick a squad of similar profiles might be one of the more astute decisions Tuchel has made as England boss when it comes to this game too.

With a tactical plan in mind, making five substitutions that do not alter the dynamic of the game greatly, but instead reinforce the plan with freshness and energy as Mexico begin to tire could be the difference.

This could indeed be a match full of mini-games and picking moments in which to change things will be key.

Tuchel, as we’ve seen throughout his club career, and most recently against DR Congo, has a knack for getting mid-game tweaks right but the many variables of the game against Mexico make this one of his toughest challenges yet.

England famously found itself on the wrong side of World Cup history at Azteca Stadium, surrendering Diego Maradona’s iconic “Hand of God” goal and another strike known as the tournament’s “most beautiful goal.”

Maradona and eventual champion Argentina eliminated England 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, leaving the Brits to stew over their link to a soccer legend.

England will return to Azteca Stadium on Sunday to take on World Cup co-host Mexico in a round-of-16 match kicking off at 5 p.m. PDT and airing on Fox and Telemundo.

England coach Thomas Tuchel said during interviews before their departure for Mexico that this will be a way to “make amends” with the stadium that hosted a goal Maradona punched in with his fist, and “karma will come back for us.”

Argentina’s Diego Maradona punches the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton to score his “Hand of God” goal during a 1986 World Cup match at Azteca Stadium.

(Getty Images / Getty Images)

“It’s one of the most beautiful, most exciting matchups you can have — playing Mexico at the Azteca,” Tuchel said during a news conference after defeating the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the round of 32.

But the road to Azteca Stadium hasn’t been easy for England.

England enters this matchup after a hard-fought victory over Congo. The African team took the lead and had chances to extend it, but ultimately paid dearly for squandering those opportunities. Top England scorer Harry Kane stepped up with two decisive goals that helped his team advance. It was England’s first World Cup victory after trailing 1-0 since the 1966 final, which the English team won as a tournament host.

The English have to contend with not only the ghost of Maradona’s two goals, but also the altitude in Mexico City, which is about 7,350 feet above sea level.

Mexico has lost only two of 89 matches at Azteca Stadium, winning 70 and tying 17. The last time it lost an official match there was a 2-1 defeat to Honduras in a 2013 World Cup qualifier.

“There will be many obstacles — the altitude will be a major disadvantage because we can’t acclimate to it,” Tuchel said. “Let’s hope that when we face difficulties along the way, we’ll find the answers.”

Mexico players celebrate after the team’s World Cup win over Ecuador at Azteca Stadium on Tuesday.

(Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Tuchel noted his team got accustomed to heat and humidity while training in the United States.

“At the end of the day, it’s a soccer game,” said England’s Marcus Rashford, who also plays for Manchester United. “We’ve all been playing soccer since we were kids, and we’ve played in different environments and under different conditions — some more difficult than others, some in terrible places. But it’s up to us to find a way to win and to work as a team.”

England expects to face an intense atmosphere, with the majority of more than 80,000 fans backing Mexico.

“It’s one of the great stadiums in soccer. Playing there is a blessing. Mexico is probably the favorite. They’re at home, playing on their home turf; it will be a big challenge for us, but we’ll be ready,” England’s Marc Guehi told the BBC.

The match also will pose a significant challenge for the Mexican team, which has not conceded a goal during the World Cup but will face an English side that excels in aerial play, with lethal scorers like Kane and Jude Bellingham. Mexico’s defensive performance has been credited to the direction of Rafa Márquez, a former Barcelona player who is one of Mexico’s assistant coaches.

“They’re high-caliber players who can make a difference at any moment, and we have to take advantage of playing at home and maintain our current level of play because no one has given us anything for free,” said veteran backup goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, another key voice supporting Mexico’s defensive effort.

Less than 72 hours before the game, FIFA explored moving the evening kickoff to noon local time — a change that would have completely disrupted the sporting, logistical and emotional planning of both teams.

FIFA first weighed the unprecedented change reportedly because of the threat of thunderstorms. The Athletic and media outlets covering both teams later reported security concerns after the death of four Mexico fans during round-of-32 postgame celebrations triggered the potential change, but both team pushed back, and Mexico’s security officials assured FIFA they could keep fans safe. FIFA relented and did not change the start time.

Mexico’s Álvaro Fidalgo celebrates after scoring against Czechia during a World Cup match at Azteca Stadium on June 24.

(Silvia Izquierdo / Ap Photo/silvia Izquierdo)

“No one wants a celebration — such an important moment, a once-in-a-lifetime moment — to turn into a sad occasion because of certain things. We don’t want anyone to lose a loved one,” Mexico midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo said.

Contrary to what many experts expected, Mexico has breezed through the group stage and the second round at home. Coach Javier Aguirre has eased some of the pressure on himself by leading the team to its fifth World Cup match — a feat Mexico had not achieved in eight consecutive World Cups. Two of those failed attempts came under Aguirre’s leadership: in 2002, when Mexico lost to the United States, and in 2010, when it lost to Argentina — both in the round of 16.

“We’ll try to keep this momentum going at home,” Aguirre said. “We’ll try to play a complete game.”

With the support of its fans and a sense of hope that grows with every game, the Mexican team will seek to match its best performances from 1986 and 1970 — World Cups it hosted, though with fewer participating teams.

Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez celebrates after scoring against South Africa during a World Cup match at Azteca Stadium on June 11.

(Carl Recine / Getty Images)

“We have to let them know that we’re just as good,” said Raúl Jiménez, Mexico’s leading scorer. “That we can compete on equal terms, we can play a good game, and we have the support of the fans. It doesn’t matter which goalkeeper is in front of us — if we put it in the corner, no goalkeeper can stop it.”

Advancing past England would mark the first time Mexico defeated a past champion in a knockout round, and it also would be the first time the team strung together two knockout-round victories in a World Cup, after beating Ecuador in the round of 32.

Mexico defeated past champions France and Germany in 2010 and 2018, respectively, but those wins came in the group stage.

“It’s a match everyone always dreams of. Being in the round of 16 at the Azteca — not just saying it, but even thinking about it — is incredible,” Fidalgo said. “We have to rise to the occasion.”

The FIFA World Cup round of 16 on Sunday has two heavyweight ties as Brazil face Norway in New Jersey before cohosts Mexico take on England in Mexico City.

Here’s the full schedule, Opta’s predictions and the latest news from the tournament, including Morocco’s march into the quarterfinals and France’s fiery win over Paraguay.

What is Sunday’s schedule?

• Brazil vs Norway: 4pm (20:00 GMT) at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
• Mexico vs England: 6pm (00:00 GMT into Monday) at Mexico City Stadium

What are the predictions for Brazil vs Norway?

Brazil will be hoping to end an unwanted trend when they face Norway in the round of 16.

The teams have met four times previously in all competitions, and Norway have yet to lose the fixture. The Scandinavians have won twice and drawn twice, including a memorable 2-1 victory over Brazil at the 1998 World Cup.

Despite those historical trends, the Opta supercomputer calculates Brazil as the clear favourites. After running 25,000 pre-match simulations, Brazil won in regulation time in 53.6 percent of the outcomes.

Norway claimed victory within 90 minutes in 22.4 percent of the simulations while 24 percent ended level after normal time, sending the tie to extra time and potentially penalties.

What are the predictions for Mexico vs England?

England and Mexico have crossed paths only once before at the World Cup, and that meeting dates back nearly 60 years.

The encounter came during the group stage of the 1966 tournament when tournament hosts England secured a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt. The Three Lions went on to lift the trophy that summer, claiming the only World Cup title in their history.

England have also enjoyed the upper hand in the fixture outside the World Cup, winning each of their last four meetings with Mexico. Those victories all came in international friendlies played from 1986 to 2010.

Opta’s supercomputer predicted one of the closest contests of the round of 16 with neither side holding a decisive advantage.

England enter the tie with a favourable historical record against Mexico, but El Tri’s home support and familiarity with the conditions help narrow the gap.

Across 25,000 simulations, England won in normal time 40.6 percent of the time, while Mexico did so in 31.5 percent. A further 27.9 percent of simulations ended level after 90 minutes, meaning the match would require extra time and possibly a penalty shootout.

Remaining round of 16 schedule:

• Brazil vs Norway: Sunday, New York New Jersey Stadium, 20:00 GMT
• Mexico vs England: Sunday, Mexico City Stadium, 00:00 GMT going into Monday
• Portugal vs Spain: Monday, Dallas Stadium, 19:00 GMT
• USA vs Belgium: Monday, Seattle Stadium, 00:00 GMT going into Tuesday
• Argentina vs Egypt: Tuesday, Atlanta Stadium, 16:00 GMT
• Switzerland vs Colombia: Tuesday, BC Place Vancouver, 20:00 GMT

What else is happening?

Morocco’s historic quarterfinal run

Morocco reached the World Cup quarterfinals for a second consecutive tournament after defeating cohosts Canada 3-0 on Saturday with Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice to end the North Americans’ historic run.

The final score did not reflect the balance of the game. Canada controlled much of the first half, creating several promising chances while keeping Morocco from registering their first shot until the 28th minute.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi was visibly frustrated on the touchline before the break as misplaced passes and sloppy errors disrupted his side’s rhythm, but the team responded with a much-improved display after half-time.

“It’s a World Cup match, and these are difficult games with teams playing for their lives,” Ouahbi said. “We reacted very well in the second half, especially in the duels and in winning the second balls.

Was Paraguay’s play ‘dirty’?

France captain Kylian Mbappe insisted his side were prepared to match Paraguay’s physical approach after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory on Saturday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals.

Mbappe, who converted the decisive penalty in the 70th minute after Desire Doue was fouled in the area, dismissed the suggestion that France were unsettled by Paraguay’s aggressive tactics.

“They thought we’d come out in tuxedos, trying fancy tricks and one-twos,” Mbappe said. “But we know how to play dirty football too. If that’s what the game requires, we have no problem doing it.”

The winning penalty was awarded only after a VAR review with France coach Didier Deschamps questioning referee Ilgiz Tantashev’s handling of the increasingly physical contest.

“We received three yellow cards while they kept fouling us throughout the game,” Deschamps said. “Every team is entitled to play in its own way, but I could have done without some of the insults from the opposition.”

Mexico’s fortress awaits England

Mexico will look to end a 40-year wait to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals when they face England on Sunday, backed by one of international football’s strongest home records.

The cohosts have lost only two official matches at Mexico City Stadium since it opened in 1966 with the last defeat coming against Honduras in a World Cup qualifier in 2013.

Former Mexico striker Hugo Sanchez believes the stadium could once again make the difference.

“The stadium is a monster; that explains the high number of wins and draws and the few losses, which were just accidents. We approach this with optimism because we know it’s England, but if we play the way we did against Ecuador, we can beat them.”

Mexico’s World Cup record at the stadium reflects that dominance. Across the 1970, 1986 and 2026 tournaments, El Tri have played 10 World Cup matches there, winning eight and drawing two. In this year’s tournament, they have beaten South Africa, Czechia and Ecuador in Mexico City without conceding a goal while also defeating South Korea in Guadalajara.

One of the Premier League’s most gripping personal feuds goes global on Sunday when Brazil face Norway in the World Cup last 16.

Norway’s irresistible force of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland comes up against Brazil’s immovable object in the shape of Arsenal defender Gabriel in New York New Jersey Stadium.

Haaland and Gabriel have been central figures as their clubs battle for domestic supremacy, creating a rivalry that regularly boils over into animosity.

The outcome of their latest confrontation will go a long way to deciding whether it is Brazil or Norway who advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face either England or Mexico.

Former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC Sport: “For all the battling for the Golden Boot between the greats such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Haaland, there have not been any great personal duels. Now we have one.

“This is the standout personal duel of the World Cup so far and make no mistake, it will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the game.

“It is the standout because of the bad feeling we know exists between the pair. I am sure there is a level of respect great players have for each other, but everything we’ve seen between them suggests they don’t like each other too much.”

Former England captain Alan Shearer is also relishing the confrontation between the pair, saying: “That will be a great battle because there is definitely a bit of niggle there.

“They don’t like each other which is fine, you don’t have to like your opponent, and we have seen them have clashes before so that’s definitely one to look forward to.”

Adding further intrigue is the statistical quirk that five-time world champions Brazil have never beaten Norway in four attempts – drawing two and losing two.

This makes Norway the only side the Selecao have faced, but never won against.