World Cup 2026 quarterfinals see European clashes, airline promos and Infantino scrutiny

Six European nations – Spain, France, England, Norway, Belgium and Switzerland – have reached the quarter‑finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most European representation in the knockout stage since 1994. The Belgium‑Spain match has sparked a marketing stunt: Brussels Airlines will operate red A320s painted with both national colours, a plane described as “a red A320 with a darker tail, decorated with a trident that turns into a flame” on the Spanish routes.

The tournament is also drawing criticism of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. An investigative report notes a £2.25 million payment to a London sports‑marketing agency that runs Infantino’s Instagram accounts, while the federation projects $13 billion in revenue, $9 billion of which is tied to the World Cup.

Live‑blog coverage highlights the schedule – the quarter‑finals begin on Thursday, the final is set for 19 July at New York’s MetLife Stadium – and notes the upcoming Argentina‑Switzerland tie, with analysts pointing to Argentina’s reliance on Lionel Messi and Switzerland’s defensive solidity.

Additional controversy surrounds referee appointments, with Argentinian Facundo Tello slated to officiate the Morocco‑France quarter‑final, fueling further speculation about match‑influencing bias.