While the final result is yet to be decided, today’s showdown could dramatically reshape the road to the trophy. Spain and Belgium meet in one of the biggest matches of the 2026 World Cup, with a semifinal place hanging in the balance.

Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Austria.Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy - FIFA&solFIFA via Spain and Belgium face each other today at Los Angeles Stadium in a quarterfinal clash at the 2026 World Cup.

Iran had a chance to qualify for the round of 32 but was eliminated after Austria and Algeria played to a 3-3 draw.

Per usual, Team USA isn’t among the favorites in World Cup futures odds. But the American side is favored to win Group D and is therefore favored to win its Friday night opener

A World Cup match at Seattle Stadium that had been circled on the calendar for months, as much for what could happen off the field as on it, ends in a 1-1 tie.

Reigning EURO champions Spain are looking for a second World Cup after finally claiming the top honors in 2010, while Belgium seek one last hurrah for their golden generation.

Whether Colombia advances, falls short, or needs extra time and penalties to decide its fate against Switzerland could completely change the road toward the World Cup final, adding even more pressure to a meeting between two unbeaten national teams.

Learn how teams advance from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, how the new Round of 32 works, the third-place wild card system and FIFA's tiebreaker rules.