England beat co-host Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca to reach the quarter-finals, and Mexico City declared no incidents in its first big crowd since the fatal 30 June crush. FIFA lifted Folarin Balogun's ban after a reported Trump call, and Neymar retired as Norway ended Brazil.
The World Cup's last 16 is testing host crowd safety, FIFA's disciplinary neutrality and its ageing icons within one week.
Jude Bellingham scored twice in 98 seconds and England survived Jarell Quansah's red card to beat co-host Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca and reach the quarter-finals.
United Kingdom×2Jude Bellingham struck twice inside 98 seconds at the Estadio Azteca on 5 July, helping England edge past Mexico 3-2 to reach the World Cup last eight.
Jarell Quansah's 54th-minute red card forced England to defend the lead with ten men. They now meet Norway in Miami on 11 July for a semi-final spot.
Mexico City declared 'saldo blanco', no incidents, after the Azteca hosted its first big crowd since the 30 June Reforma crush killed four fans.
Mexico City declared 'saldo blanco' after Sunday's Estadio Azteca crowd passed without incident. It was the city's first big test since four fans died in the 30 June crush on Paseo de la Reforma.
The crowd left in defeat rather than celebration, so the tougher test, a Mexican win drawing fans back onto the same streets, still lies ahead.
FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun's ban, freeing the USA forward to face Belgium, after President Trump reportedly telephoned Gianni Infantino to lobby for it.
United KingdomFIFA (football's governing body) suspended Folarin Balogun's red-card ban on 6 July. The USA forward can now face Belgium, after reports said President Trump had phoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Neither FIFA nor The White House has confirmed the call. The reversal still lands nine days after Themba Zwane's unexplained ban was upheld without comment.
Erling Haaland scored both goals as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 at MetLife Stadium, reaching the last eight and ending the five-time champions' tournament.
QatarErling Haaland scored twice as Norway edged past Brazil 2-1 at MetLife Stadium on 5 July, sending them into the World Cup quarter-finals against England.
Norway had rested Haaland for an earlier knockout tie, a rotation gamble that paid off. Brazil's own forward line, still short of full fitness, could not respond.
Neymar announced his immediate international retirement on the MetLife pitch minutes after Norway knocked Brazil out, ending a Brazil career that began there in 2010.
QatarNeymar walked away from Brazil's national team on 5 July, minutes after Norway eliminated Brazil at MetLife Stadium. It is the same ground where his international career began in 2010.
At 34, Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals leaves the international game after a 31-month recovery from knee ligament surgery that limited him to two starts.
Mexico's exit left the United States as the last World Cup co-host standing, as Morocco, France, Norway and England filled four quarter-final places.
QatarMexico's exit on 5 July left the United States as the last of the World Cup's three co-hosts. Morocco and France had already reached the quarter-finals a day earlier.
Four of the eight quarter-final places are now filled, and the USA face Belgium on 6 July needing a win to keep any co-host alive.
AI-assisted, human-edited under the editorial responsibility of Bannermedia Ltd. Reviewed by Ed Woodcock on 6 July 2026. Editorial standards.
