The FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Finals are the last-eight showdown that separates the pretenders from the contenders. Four matches, four days (July 9-11), one guaranteed classic. Here is the complete guide to every quarterfinal, plus how to stream every match live and free on VividTV.
What is the FIFA Quarter Finals?
The Round of 16 whittles the field down to eight teams, and the quarterfinals are where those eight face off in single-elimination matches. Winners go to the semifinals. Losers go home. Simple, brutal, and consistently the round that produces the tournament’s most memorable moments.
Quarter Finals Schedule (July 9-11, 2026)
All four matches will be played across three days in different host cities:
- Match 69 – July 9, 15:00 ET (20:00 UK / 00:30 IST): Los Angeles
- Match 70 – July 9, 19:00 ET (00:00 UK next day / 04:30 IST next day): Kansas City
- Match 71 – July 10, 15:00 ET: Miami
- Match 72 – July 11, 15:00 ET: Boston
See the full FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule for the complete bracket right through to the final on July 19.
What to Expect at This Stage
Quarterfinals are tactically the tightest games of any World Cup. By this point, teams have played six matches, injuries and suspensions bite, and coaches know each other’s tendencies. Expect:
- Cautious first halves with both sides feeling each other out
- Set-piece dominance becoming decisive
- Extra time or penalties for at least one match (historically the case in every recent World Cup)
- Star players stepping up when it matters
Best Channels for the Quarter Finals
BEIN Sports MAX 4K (Recommended)
Full Ultra HD coverage of every match. High-frame-rate delivery means fast play looks buttery smooth. See our BEIN Sports MAX guide.
Fox Sports 1 & Fox 4K (US)
The premier US broadcaster. Full studio coverage with Rob Stone, Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden and Landon Donovan.
Sky Sports (UK)
Best if you want British commentary and punditry. Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher lead the ITV/Sky team.
TSN 1-5 (Canada)
Bilingual English/French coverage for Canadian viewers.
Sony Ten Sports (India)
Hindi commentary with focus on South Asian audience.
SBS (Australia)
Australian coverage for Oceania viewers.
How to Watch on VividTV
- Go to vividtv.live/watch-fifa-world-cup-live
- Pick the quarterfinal you want from the schedule
- Choose your channel (4K recommended)
- Press play. Free forever, no signup required.
Time Zone Cheat Sheet
Quarterfinal kickoff times converted:
- 15:00 ET = 12:00 PT / 20:00 UK / 00:30 IST (next day)
- 19:00 ET = 16:00 PT / 00:00 UK (next day) / 04:30 IST (next day)
Australian viewers will be watching in the early morning. Set your alarm.
Historical Notes: Quarter Finals as the Tournament-Defining Round
Some of the most iconic World Cup moments happened at the quarterfinal stage:
- 1970: Brazil 4-2 England in Guadalajara
- 1986: Argentina 2-1 England (Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century”)
- 1998: France 0-0 Italy (France won on penalties)
- 2014: Germany 7-1 Brazil (semi, but the tone was set in quarters)
- 2022: Argentina 2-2 Netherlands (Argentina won on penalties)
2026 has all the ingredients for another instant classic.
Streaming Tips for Big Matches
- Use ethernet over Wi-Fi for the big matches. A dropped connection during a penalty shootout is misery.
- Test your stream 30 minutes before kickoff – if there’s an issue, you have time to switch channels.
- Cast to a big screen if possible. Quarter finals deserve a proper TV, not a phone.
- Keep a backup channel bookmarked. If BEIN drops, Fox is one click away.
Common Questions
How many quarterfinals are there?
Four. Eight teams, four matches, four winners advance to semifinals.
Where are the 2026 quarterfinals played?
Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami and Boston.
Can I watch the quarterfinals free?
Yes. VividTV streams every match free on any device.
What happens after the quarterfinals?
Semifinals on July 14 and 15. Third-place playoff July 18. Final July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
Is 4K coverage available for every match?
Yes, via BEIN Sports MAX and Fox 4K.
Ready for the last-eight showdown? Head to the FIFA hub and lock in your quarterfinal viewing.