No World Cup Games Today: The Reason Behind the Break

If you searched for FIFA World Cup games today and came up empty, it’s because none are taking place. The tournament has paused strategically after the Round of 16 to allow teams some rest and to prepare for the next phase.

This short break happens immediately following the conclusion of the Round of 16 matches, providing players with the minimum rest period before the quarter-finals kick off.

Round of 16 Wrap-Up

The last two spots in the quarter-finals were decided Tuesday in intense encounters:

• Argentina 3 - 2 Egypt: Argentina secured their place thanks to goals from Romero, Messi, and Enzo Fernández. Egypt fought back with strikes by Yasser Ibrahim and Ziko but fell short amid several complaints about refereeing decisions.
• Switzerland 0 (4) - 0 (3) Colombia: After a goalless draw through both regular and extra time, Switzerland triumphed in the penalty shootout.

Quarter-Finals Schedule

The semi-final matchups are already set based on the quarter-finals:

• The winner of France vs. Morocco will meet whoever wins Spain vs. Belgium.
• The survivor from Norway vs. England will face the victor of Argentina vs. Switzerland.

We think this pause gives teams a chance to regroup before the intensity ramps up again. The quarter-finals start Thursday, with the first game featuring France and Morocco.