The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals begin this Thursday, July 9, as France and Morocco face off at Boston Stadium to determine the first team to advance to the semifinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 22:00 (10:00 p.m.) local peninsular time in Spain. Viewers in Spain can watch the match for free on La 1 or via the RTVE Play streaming platform, while the tournament is also available through DAZN Mundial and integrated services like Movistar Plus+ and Orange TV.
Tournament Stakes and Quarterfinal Context
As the 2026 World Cup approaches its final stages, only eight teams remain in contention for the title, with the championship match set for July 19 in New York. The winner of the France-Morocco fixture will secure a place in the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the upcoming match between Spain and Belgium. This encounter serves as a high-stakes rematch of the 2022 World Cup semifinal in Qatar, a game France won 2-0 to advance to the final.

Road to the Quarterfinals
France enters the match as one of the tournament favorites after a dominant run. The French squad topped their group during the opening phase before defeating Sweden in the Round of 32 and Paraguay in the Round of 16. Their consistency throughout the tournament has solidified their status as a primary contender for the trophy.
Morocco’s path has been equally impressive. Although they finished second in their group, the team remained unbeaten, level on points with Brazil. In the knockout stages, Morocco eliminated the Netherlands following a penalty shootout and subsequently secured a 3-0 victory over co-host nation Canada to reach the quarterfinals.
How to Watch: Broadcast and Streaming Information
For fans following the tournament from Spain, the match is accessible through multiple official channels:

- Free-to-air Television: The match will be broadcast live on La 1.
- Digital Streaming: Fans can access the live feed through the RTVE Play website and app.
- Paid Subscription: DAZN holds the rights to all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup. The dedicated “DAZN Mundial” channel is available to subscribers of Movistar Plus+ and Orange TV.
- Live Coverage: Real-time updates and a play-by-play account of the action will be available on the ABC.es website, with a full match analysis and report to follow immediately after the final whistle.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
The outcome of Thursday’s match sets the bracket for the penultimate round of the tournament. With the semifinal opponent to be decided on Friday, July 10, when Spain plays Belgium, the pressure on France and Morocco to perform at Boston Stadium is immense. Both sides are vying to repeat or improve upon their previous tournament standings, aiming to keep their hopes of lifting the World Cup trophy alive as the event nears its conclusion in New York.
Worth a look
- Spain Reach World Cup Final After Shutting Out France in Tactical Masterclass
- Eliaquim Mangala Reacts to France’s Elimination: “Spain Was Never Worried
- France hosts record Bastille Day parade featuring allied support for Ukraine (newsarchyuk.com)
- France vs Spain World Cup Semifinal: Predicted Lineup and Starting XI (archyde.com)