Decisive 2026 World Cup matches with Ninja

The 2026 World Cup is entering the quarterfinal stage. Brazil, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and all three host nations are already out of the bracket, but eight teams are still fighting for the trophy.

The group stage, Round of 32, and Round of 16 are now behind us, along with dozens of dramatic matches, several major surprises — including Brazil’s elimination — and personal stories that fans will definitely remember.

The first quarterfinal match will be France vs Morocco. The game kicks off today at 23:00 Kyiv time. We’re not hinting at anything, of course, but watching it with Ninja Sushi will be even more spectacular!

2026 World Cup quarterfinal schedule

July 9

23:00 — France — Morocco

July 10

22:00 — Spain — Belgium

July 12

00:00 — Norway — England

04:00 — Argentina — Switzerland

Which matchups are left

France — Morocco

The quarterfinals will open with a match that has a clear favorite, but no obvious script. France once again look like a team capable of reaching the final: they have a powerful attack, plenty of knockout-stage experience, and several players who can decide an episode even when the game is not going their way.

Morocco, however, certainly do not look like accidental quarterfinalists. On their way to this stage, they have already knocked out the Netherlands and Canada, once again reminding everyone that they can play calmly and firmly in the knockout rounds.

Against a team like this, it is not enough for the favorite to simply control the ball — they also need to find a way through a very disciplined defense.

Spain — Belgium

Spain approach the quarterfinals as one of the most complete teams of the tournament. They work a lot with the ball, move well between the lines, and try to control not only the tempo of the game, but also the mood of the opponent. Their matches do not always look like fireworks, but it is almost always clear what the team is trying to do on the pitch.

Belgium have also reached the decisive stage in good shape. The team gradually gained momentum throughout the tournament and picked up extra confidence in the knockout rounds. The Belgians have enough experience and individual quality to punish any mistake.

Norway — England

One of the most intriguing quarterfinal matchups. Norway have already produced one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by knocking out Brazil. After a win like that, they can no longer be treated as a team that simply got lucky with the bracket. Especially with Erling Haaland in the squad — a player who sometimes needs just one chance.

England also reached the quarterfinals the hard way, but they remain in the title race. The team has one of the deepest squads at the tournament, plenty of attacking options, and players who are used to the pressure of big matches. The question is whether England can play boldly enough against a team that has already tasted a huge victory.

Argentina — Switzerland

Argentina continue their title defense and remain among the main contenders to win the tournament. Not every match comes easily to them, but in the knockout rounds that is often not the most important thing. What matters more is the ability to stay patient, wait for the right moment, and keep control in the most nervous minutes.

Switzerland are exactly the kind of opponent that is rarely comfortable to play against. They do not fall apart under pressure, keep their structure well, and know how to drag a match into a tight, physical battle.

Who to watch in the quarterfinals

For France, the main player remains Kylian Mbappé. His speed and ability to attack space make France dangerous even when the team is not fully dominating. One Mbappé run can change the course of a match.

For Spain, it is worth paying attention to the young leaders and the midfield. Through control of the ball, the team tries to take the initiative and prevent the opponent from feeling free. If Spain quickly find their rhythm, Belgium will have a hard time playing out from under pressure.

In the Norway vs England match, the main name on the poster will, of course, be Haaland. For Norway, he has already become the symbol of this tournament, but England have plenty to respond with. They have enough players who can decide a match not only through class, but also through experience.

For Argentina, attention will once again be on Lionel Messi. Even at this stage of his career, he remains a player you simply cannot ignore.

The biggest disappointments of the 2026 World Cup

This World Cup has already delivered plenty of surprises, but for some favorites they have been especially painful.

For many, the biggest disappointment has been Brazil’s elimination. The five-time world champions once again arrived at the tournament with huge expectations, but stopped in the Round of 16 after losing to Norway. For a team of this level, it is a very difficult result, especially considering that Brazil have once again failed to reach the quarterfinals.

Germany’s exit was no less striking. The team did not make it to the quarterfinals, and their defeat to Paraguay on penalties became one of the most unexpected results of the knockout stage. Germany are almost always expected to at least fight for medals, so such an early exit feels especially painful.

The Netherlands also left the tournament earlier than many expected. Their match against Morocco was nervous and very tight, with the ticket to the next round decided in a penalty shootout. In the end, the Netherlands went out, while Morocco once again showed that they have long stopped being a comfortable opponent for favorites.

Another separate story is the elimination of all three host nations. The United States, Canada, and Mexico created a bright atmosphere around the tournament, but none of them managed to reach the quarterfinals.

For the local fans, that was an unpleasant blow, but for the tournament itself it added even more dramatic storylines.

The 2026 World Cup — a tournament where you can become a hero in seconds

The World Cup has always been a tournament where one episode can completely change a career. A goal in the final minutes, a saved penalty, an important save, or simply a bright performance against a favorite — sometimes that is enough for the whole world to learn a player’s name in one evening.

One of the most unusual stories of the tournament has been New Zealand defender Tim Payne. Before the World Cup, he was little known to a wider audience, but Argentine blogger Valen Scarsini, known as El Scarso, decided to find the least popular participant of the tournament and called on his followers to support him.

The idea quickly went viral. Payne’s Instagram following grew from a few thousand to millions, and the player unexpectedly became one of the most talked-about names of the tournament even before New Zealand played their biggest matches.

The story of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha became even brighter. The 40-year-old became a hero after the match against Spain, where he helped his team claim a sensational 0 : 0 draw. Several important saves, calmness in goal, and the Player of the Match award made him one of the symbols of the tournament.

After the match, bloggers and streamers began encouraging their audiences to follow Vozinha. His Instagram audience grew to millions of followers, and within a few days the goalkeeper went from the hero of one upset to a true star of the World Cup.

That is exactly why we love World Cups.

Watch the decisive 2026 World Cup matches with Ninja Sushi

Your favorite rolls from Ninja will make the emotions of watching even brighter — whether you are cheering alone or gathering a group of like-minded fans.

Do not miss the matches, place your order, and, of course, remember to add something from the drinks section. The most intense games of the tournament are ahead, which means a great evening is worth preparing for in advance.