Messi has been instrumental in Argentina's World Cup campaign, scoring eight goals — level with France's Kylian Mbappe — and inspiring a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the round of 16.

Argentina and Lionel Messi face Murat Yakin's Switzerland in what promises to be a sterner test for the defending champions than any they have encountered so far in the tournament.

"I really can't stand it when my four leaders are called 'veterans'. It is ugly. It is awful," Belgium coach Rudi Garcia had said a few days ago during the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Lamine Yamal said if Spain wins the World Cup, nobody will care about his failure to score, after the teen superstar was again absent from the scoresheet in his side's 2-1 quarter-final win over Belgium on Saturday.

Thibaut Courtois rallied behind Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens on Saturday after the Manchester United stopper's agonising late blunder gifted Spain a 2-1 victory in their World Cup quarterfinal.

Mikel Merino, who smashed in the World Cup quarterfinal winner against Belgium in the 88th minute on Saturday, said it was "surreal" to have scored a late winner in two straight knockout games for Spain.

Mikel Merino is becoming the player who finds the net exactly when Spain need him most, and the substitute did it for a second straight knockout tie as La Roja beat Belgium 2-1 in a World Cup quarterfinal in Los Angeles today.

Super sub Mikel Merino broke Belgian hearts and sent Spain through to a World Cup semi-final against France with a late goal in a gripping 2-1 win on Friday.

Coming into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France were always tipped as the team to beat.

Will Spain continue to impress or can the Belgians stun them to make the semis?

The five-time world champions were knocked out by upstarts Norway in a shock 2-1 Round of 16 rout.

Mbappe is a competitive beast that simply refuses to be contained, and at this point the World Cup is fast becoming entirely synonymous with the French superstar.

Portugal appointed Jorge Jesus as their new national team coach on Friday and he said he would continue to call on veteran superstar Cristiano Ronaldo if he is available, insisting the forward will "never" be a problem.

Waving flags, singing patriotic songs and carrying banners proclaiming "Egypt's men made us proud", thousands of supporters welcomed Egypt's national football team home on Friday after the Pharaohs produced the finest World Cup campaign in the country's history.

Coach Rudi Garcia said "everyone" expects his Belgium team to be eliminated by Spain in Friday's World Cup quarter-final, but backed his side to pull off a famous victory.

The Spanish wunderkid believes his best performances come when the stakes are highest.

When Thibaut Courtois steps onto the pitch against Spain in Los Angeles on Saturday, it will be more than a World Cup quarterfinal.

France’s squad built on integration; Morocco’s success rooted in diaspora recruitment

During the build-up to the 2026 World Cup, this was expected to be the tournament where teenage sensation Lamine Yamal would dazzle on the biggest stage, carrying on the breathtaking form he has shown for Barcelona in recent years.

Mbappe became the youngest player to reach 20 World Cup appearances at the age of 27 and also equalled Hugo Lloris' French record for matches played at the tournament.