France Into World Cup Semis, England Faces Norway Saturday, Belgium and Spain Meet Tonight

Since the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout rounds began, France has moved the fastest. Their 2-0 quarter-final win over Morocco on Thursday came from goals by Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé in a six-minute second-half burst, making them the tournament's first confirmed semifinalist, according to BBC Sport.

Mbappé's goal was his eighth of the tournament, pulling him level with Argentina's Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot lead. He currently holds the tiebreaker with more assists than Messi. Dembélé is now at five goals, meaning France has two players at five or more. Only Brazil in 2002 (Ronaldo with eight, Rivaldo with five) has managed that feat in the past 50 years, per BBC Sport.

France have scored 16 goals total in the tournament, more than any other remaining side. Former Scotland striker Pat Nevin, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said France are "the best, most skilful, most dangerous attacking team in the tournament."

Patrick Vieira, who won the 1998 World Cup with France, told ITV Sport this squad may be the best ever assembled: "When you look at the squad and the attacking players, it is maybe one of the best, because you have so many players, it is so unbelievable."

Didier Deschamps has confirmed this will be his final tournament as France manager. He has been in charge since 2012, winning the 2018 World Cup and reaching the 2022 final.

England beat Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16 at the Azteca Stadium, a match described by BBC Sport as "dramatic" and "nerve-jangling." Jude Bellingham scored twice, Harry Kane added a penalty, and Jarell Quansah was red-carded. Mexico pulled it to 3-2 through a Raúl Jiménez spot-kick before England held on.

England winger Anthony Gordon, now at Barcelona after his move from Newcastle United this summer, addressed the viral moment from the match. Mexico boss Javier Aguirre shouted an explicit remark at Gordon near the touchline during a hydration break. "It's just a bit of fun," Gordon told BBC Sport. "I'd just run the full-back down the line so it was a bit of a compliment from him." Aguirre has since left his post; Rafael Márquez has replaced him.

England faces Norway in the quarterfinal on Saturday at 22:00 BST. Marc Guéhi is a doubt with a hamstring injury, per BBC Sport.

Prince William, Patron of the Football Association and a known Aston Villa supporter who earlier this year celebrated Villa's Europa League final win over Freiburg in Istanbul, has been following England closely throughout the tournament and is in direct contact with players and staff, according to BBC Sport. If England reach the July 19 final in New Jersey, he is expected to attend as an official FA representative.

The U.S. men's team is out. Christian Pulisic fractured his leg in the loss to Belgium, according to AP News. Egypt is also eliminated, returning home after their World Cup run ended, per AP News.

Belgium routed the Americans and is now preparing for Spain tonight. AP News reported Belgium advancing from the U.S. as the camp heads into that quarter-final preparation. Belgium's focus against Spain will require an obvious step up in intensity. The Spaniards are a different class from what they faced against the Americans.

The final quarterfinal kicks off tonight at 20:00 BST. The winner faces France in Dallas on Tuesday at 20:00 BST, according to BBC Sport. Spain, if they advance, would be a rematch of sorts with Deschamps' side. France beat Spain 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semifinal.

Separately from the World Cup, England men's cricket players have been issued new behavior guidelines as of July 10, 2026, according to BBC Sport. Players are advised to avoid alcohol the day before, during, and the day after matches. A midnight curfew now applies every day of a series, at home or on tour. The changes follow an Ashes tour marred by off-field incidents, including a nightclub controversy involving Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson after England won the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's. Head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key retain discretion to relax the recommendations for celebrations or traditional post-series drinks with opponents.

Foreign visitors to the U.S. for the World Cup have generated a wave of viral content praising American hospitality and culture. Chicago founding member Lee Loughnane, speaking to Fox News Digital, noted that international visitors "get surprised when someone comes to refill a drink for them." Country singer Trace Adkins premiered a new single, "American Made," at the PBS Capitol Fourth concert tied to the America250 celebrations.

Heading into the weekend, the unresolved question is whether Guéhi can recover in time for England vs. Norway on Saturday. His status, flagged by BBC Sport as doubtful with a hamstring problem, could materially affect England's defensive shape. With Quansah suspended for two games, England's back line is already depleted.