Latin America Sports Daily for Thursday, July 9, 2026

Quarter-finals kick off today: France–Morocco opens the last eight in Boston

Preview

The 48-team World Cup reaches its sharpest point today. What started with 48 nations has been whittled down to a final eight of Morocco, France, Belgium, Spain, Norway, England, defending champions Argentina and Switzerland.

First up, France play Morocco at 4pm ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough — a rematch of the 2022 semi-final, which France won 2-0. Morocco arrive as the first African team to reach back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals, having beaten hosts Canada 3-0.

Both sides ended Latin American dreams to get here: France knocked out Paraguay 1-0 in Philadelphia behind Golden Boot candidate Kylian Mbappé, whose winner came from the penalty spot.

The weekend then stacks up quickly — Belgium vs Spain on Friday at SoFi Stadium (3pm ET), Norway vs England on Saturday in Miami Gardens (5pm ET), and Argentina vs Switzerland in Kansas City (9pm ET). The winners of the first two ties meet in the semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Argentina, the region’s last flag-bearers, prepare for Switzerland after the great escape

World Cup

Lionel Messi’s Argentina are the only Latin American side left standing, and they arrive on a wave of emotion. Trailing Egypt 2-0, they scored three goals in thirteen minutes to win 3-2 — Cristian Romero heading one back, Messi equalising from inside the box, and Enzo Fernández completing the turnaround with a 92nd-minute header.

Switzerland will be no pushover. They beat Colombia on penalties on Tuesday to reach their first World Cup quarter-final since 1954, and coach Murat Yakin has stoked the fire, insisting the Albiceleste ‘is not invincible’.

History leans heavily one way: Argentina have never lost to Switzerland in eight meetings — five wins and three draws — including the 2014 last-16 tie settled by Ángel Di María in extra time.

The venue is a happy hunting ground too. Argentina opened this World Cup at Arrowhead with a 3-0 win over Algeria, Messi scoring a hat-trick, and the squad is back at its Kansas City base, training at the Compass Minerals National Performance Center.

Brazil’s reckoning: worst World Cup since 1990, but Ancelotti stays for 2030

Analysis

The mood in Brazil remains raw. Norway beat the Seleção 2-1 with a double from Erling Haaland, Neymar’s late goal proving too little, and it was Brazil’s first fall at this stage in 36 years — the last such failure being the 1990 defeat to Argentina.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti broke his silence on Instagram, writing that ‘the pain is great today’ but his confidence in the project is unchanged. With his contract running to 2030, the Italian is expected back in Rio at the end of July to begin the new cycle.

The critics are not so forgiving. One widely shared analysis noted that Norway controlled the game with 66% possession against just 34% for Brazil, and that this was a fifth consecutive World Cup elimination by a European side.

Brazil were not alone in their grief: Mexico fell 3-2 to England at the Azteca — Jude Bellingham scoring twice and Harry Kane once, with Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez replying. The rebuild starts with friendlies against Australia on 25 and 29 September.

After the World Cup, the Libertadores: continental club battle resumes in August

Football

For South American fans wondering what comes after the Mundial, the answer is the Copa Libertadores — the continent’s Champions League. The round of 16 will be played between 11 and 20 August, with the second leg hosted by the team that topped its group.

The draw has produced heavyweight collisions: Cruzeiro vs Flamengo, Palmeiras vs Cerro Porteño and Rosario Central vs Corinthians stand out among the ties. The full slate also includes Estudiantes de La Plata vs Universidad Católica, Deportes Tolima vs Independiente del Valle, Mirassol vs Liga de Quito, Platense vs Coquimbo and Fluminense vs Independiente Rivadavia.

Flamengo, of Rio de Janeiro, are the defending champions, and the all-Brazilian clash with Cruzeiro is the tie of the round.

The road is long but defined: quarter-finals run from 8-17 September, semi-finals from 13-21 October, and the single-match final is set for 28 November at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Colapinto’s Silverstone surge keeps Latin America smiling in Formula 1

Feature

Away from the football, Argentina’s Franco Colapinto delivered the region’s feel-good motorsport story. The Alpine driver charged from 19th on the grid to finish ninth at the British Grand Prix, collecting two championship points in a race won by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

Brazil had reason to cheer as well: Gabriel Bortoleto finished eighth for Audi, while Mexico’s Sergio Pérez came home 15th for Cadillac before gaining a place through a penalty to Carlos Sainz.

It is already Colapinto’s best campaign since he arrived in F1 in 2024, and the 23-year-old stays busy — he will drive at the historic Goodwood Festival of Speed on Sunday, 12 July.

Formula 1 returns with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps from 17-19 July, where all three Latin American drivers will chase points again.

More: Egypt news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

When and where do Argentina play their World Cup quarter-final?

Argentina meet Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, 11 July, at 9pm ET — that is 8pm local, 10pm in Buenos Aires and 7pm in Mexico City.

In Argentina the match is live on TV Pública and Telefe, plus TyC Sports and DSports on cable, while US viewers can watch every game on Fox and FS1.

Why are Brazil out, and is Ancelotti staying?

Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway in the round of 16 on 5 July, with Erling Haaland scoring both Norwegian goals; it is their earliest World Cup exit in 36 years.

Yes — Ancelotti has a contract with the Seleção until 2030 and says the focus now turns to preparing for the next World Cup, with friendlies against Australia on 25 and 29 September opening the new cycle.

What is left of the quarter-final schedule after today?

After France–Morocco today, Belgium play Spain on Friday at SoFi Stadium (3pm ET), then Saturday brings Norway–England in Miami Gardens (5pm ET) and Argentina–Switzerland in Kansas City (9pm ET).

The semi-finals follow in Arlington on 14 July and Atlanta on 15 July, with the third-place match in Miami Gardens on 18 July and the final in East Rutherford on 19 July at 3pm ET.