World Cup 2026 Is Down To The Final Eight – Here’s All You Need To Know To Pretend You’re A Fan
Who’s still chasing football’s biggest prize, which superstars are already on the plane home, and where you can catch the remaining matches in Kuala Lumpur.
- Eight teams remain in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, including surprise packages Norway and Morocco alongside heavyweights Argentina, France, Spain and England.
- Big names like Ronaldo, Salah and Vinicius Junior are out, with Brazil, Germany and Portugal among the eliminated nations.
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You don’t need to know what an offside is to enjoy the FIFA World Cup.
With the tournament now entering the quarter-finals, the drama is only getting bigger. We’ve already seen shock upsets, penalty shootouts, last-minute winners and a few football giants crashing out earlier than expected.
If you’ve only just decided to tune in, here’s a quick catch-up before the biggest matches begin.
The eight teams still in the tournament
After almost a month of football, only eight countries remain in the race to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy.
They are:
- Argentina
- Belgium
- England
- France
- Morocco
- Norway
- Spain
- Switzerland
Among them are traditional football powerhouses like Argentina, France, Spain and England, alongside surprise packages Norway and Morocco, who have captured plenty of neutral fans with their impressive performances.
The matches left to play
The quarter-finals begin this week, with every match becoming a do-or-die affair.
Quarter-finals
- France vs Morocco — 10 July (Malaysia time)
- Spain vs Belgium — 11 July (Malaysia time)
- Norway vs England — 12 July (Malaysia time)
- Argentina vs Switzerland — 12 July (Malaysia time)
The winners will move on to the semi-finals on 15 and 16 July (Malaysia time), before the third-place playoff on 19 July and the FIFA World Cup Final on 20 July (Malaysia time).
Big names that have already been knocked out
One of the biggest stories of this World Cup has been the number of football heavyweights that have already packed their bags.
Some of the biggest stars no longer in the tournament include:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
- Jamal Musiala (Germany)
- Florian Wirtz (Germany)
- Alphonso Davies (Canada)
- Christian Pulisic (United States)
Some of the biggest football nations to be eliminated include Brazil, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, the United States and Mexico, making this one of the more unpredictable World Cups in recent memory.
Cristiano Ronaldo has also confirmed that this tournament marks the end of his World Cup career.
Where to watch the remaining World Cup matches
If watching the final at home feels a little too quiet, Kuala Lumpur has plenty of sports bars that are expected to show the biggest match in the world of football.
Here are a few ideal spots we think you could watch the World Cup 2026 finals in comfort, with lots of food options, and seating:
NZ Curry House, Jalan Ampang – Fancy catching the World Cup finals with the iconic Petronas Twin Towers as your backdrop? Make your way to NZ Curry House on Jalan Ampang. Open 24 hours a day, the popular mamak spot is perfect whether you’re staying up for late-night kick-offs or waking up early for pre-dawn matches. If you’re on the other side of town, its Wangsa Maju outlet will also be screening the tournament throughout the FIFA World Cup.
Lalaport BBCC, Bukit Bintang – From its expansive rooftop garden to WOW Plaza, the Japanese lifestyle retailer is showing World Cup matches on giant outdoor screens, making it a great place to gather with fellow football fans and catch every moment of the action up until the finals.
SOULed OUT – With outlets in Sri Hartamas, Bangsar South and The LINC, SOULed OUT combines big screens, hearty food and plenty of seating, making it a great choice for catching World Cup matches including the finals.
Good day Milk Factory, Petaling Jaya – Housed in a former industrial space in Seksyen 13, this popular community hub will be open 24/7 for the duration of the World Cup. It’s an excellent place to catch matches at any hour while soaking up the lively atmosphere and exploring the wide variety of food stalls on site.
The Paddock, Petaling Jaya – Nestled within X Park Sunway Serene, this food court has become a popular destination for sports enthusiasts, regularly drawing crowds for live football matches. The venue is fitted with four projector screens and four televisions, ensuring guests have a clear view of the action from almost every corner. It’s open daily from 12pm until 2am, with operating hours extended on Friday and Saturday nights whenever a major World Cup fixture is taking place.
READ MORE: FIFA World Cup Season Brings Back A Familiar Question: Can Muslims Wear Jerseys With A Cross?
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