Two massive games on tap today at the World Cup, with the defending champions and the ever-hopeful Three Lions both in action.
The first two quarterfinals were lacking a bit in overall entertainment: France were never threatened by Morocco in that Mbappé-inspired 2-0 win while Spain are like a relentless machine at this point, slowly but surely churning and chewing through all opposition. Belgium thought they had a chance; they never did. When Mikel Merino enters the game as a substitute, you know
it’s over.
However, as much as France and Spain have carved through the competition so far like hot knife through butter, England and Argentina both have had their hiccups. They are also responsible for three of the greatest games not just at this World Cup, but at any competition ever (all 3-2 scorelines, incidentally: England versus Mexico and Argentina versus Cape Verde and then Egypt).
But there is an unwritten rule in World Cup that one of the final four should be a “lesser” power. It’s unwritten so it’s not always respected (see Brazil, 2014), but can either Norway or Switzerland become this year’s Morocco, Bulgaria (‘94), or South Korea (’02)?
Let us find out!
ENGLAND vs. NORWAY
England’s win over Mexico at the Azteca was one for the ages — and not just because it was only the third time ever, in 90 games, that Mexico lost a competitive match there — but now they face a wholly different challenge with the physicality and size of Norway. Do you lean into the emotion of that Round of 16 win and hope to ride to the end, or do you refocus and take the emotion out of it.
Meanwhile, Norway have lived up to their pre-tournament hype of being a popular sleeper pick and going deeper than their ranking would’ve indicated, even beating Brazil on the way. In fact, the only game they’ve failed to win so far is the one that basically threw away, the last group game against France. Erling Haaland didn’t play in that one; he’s played every minute of the other four, scoring seven of Norway’s eleven goals in total. He’s as inevitable as they come in football.
Then again, if there’s any team you’d imagine would be able to handle that, it’s England with all their Premier League stars who all should be familiar with his game. Of course, it’s one thing to know about Haaland; it’s an entirely different thing to stop him. Few have done that so far, be that at this World Cup or in the Premier League.
That said, few have stopped Harry Kane either, and England’s captain is leading from the front in every sense of that word. He’s got six goals so far, and is in the Golden Boot race with Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi (that last two on eight goals as of right now).
One bit of good news is that Reece James has been passed fit, though that hamstring remains a concern, which could pose a problem for Thomas Tuchel at right back. Jarrell Quansah is suspended after his red card against Mexico, while Jordan Henderson is out with the broken arm he suffered in his exuberant celebrations.
Date / Time: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 5pm EDT; 10pm BST
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL, USA
Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
ARGENTINA vs. SWITZERLAND
Speaking of Lionel Messi and his eight goals, the 39-year-old legend of the game just keeps on delivering, scoring one and setting up another in the historic comeback against Egypt in the last round. Argentina were dead and buried, down 2-0, heading into the final ten minutes, before Messi set one up and then scored himself the spectacular equalizer. Chelsea’s own (still!) Enzo Fernández then popped up in stoppage time to win the game, breaking Egypt’s hearts and starting plenty of FIFA/VAR conspiracy theories. But Argentina dominated that game outside of a few minutes at the start, and they keep finding ways to win even when it looks like we might be in for a shock result.
Switzerland meanwhile have arrived to this stage rather quietly, taking care of business in the group stage to advance as a top seed, and then not conceding a goal yet in the knockout rounds. They needed penalties to eliminate Colombia in the previous round, and they will likely approach this game in a similar manner. One bit of bad news for the Swiss is that breakout star Johan Manzambi has been ruled out with a knee injury. He’s their offensive catalyst and his absence will place even greater importance on keeping a clean sheet. Against Messi & Co however that might be an impossible task.
Date / Time: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 9pm EDT; 2am BST
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO, USA
Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
