Now only eight teams remain in the World Cup. Four tempting quarter-finals await – Here are the experts’ predictions.
World Cup 2026: Quarter-final predictions featuring Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland – all set to send their teams to the semi-finals.
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The World Cup is approaching a magnificent crescendo – with the quarter-finals kicking off with France against Morocco.
The European champions, South American champions and African champions are still in the running – along with favourites France and challengers England. – And not to forget Norway who is back in the World Cup after a generation.
Here we take a closer look at the four games!
THURSDAY 9 JULY
🇫🇷 France – Morocco 🇲🇦 (22:00)
What a way to start – a repeat of the 2022 semi-final in Qatar. France won 2-0 back then, but Morocco – who became the first African team to reach a semi-final – gave it their all and matched the French for most of the match.
Most people would say that Morocco has grown since then. New national team manager Mohamed Ouahbi has added a calming influence after the sometimes chaotic period under Walid Regragui.
Morocco are unbeaten in 34 games and play an attacking style similar to France’s – led by Achraf Hakimi, perhaps the world’s best right-back, as well as attacking talents Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari. Saibari is uncertain for the fight due to injury – and the Atlas Lions sincerely hope that he will be ready.
France has been by far the tournament’s best team so far. Didier Deschamps’ side have won all five games and scored 14 goals. They have also shown that they can win badly – as in the 1-0 win over a tenacious Paraguay in the previous round.
With a solid defence and the most dangerous attack in international football – with Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé – they are still the team everyone else must beat.
Morocco are good – but we’re not sure they’re good enough to win this one.
Prediction: France 2-1 Morocco
FRIDAY 10 JULY
🇪🇸 Spain – Belgium 🇧🇪 (21:00)
Belgium really came alive in the round of 16 against the United States. After looking weak in the group stage and in the round of 32 against Senegal, Rudi García’s side put in a brilliant performance, crushing the co-hosts USA 4-1.
They were clearly driven by a sense of injustice over FIFA and Donald Trump’s questionable methods of ensuring that USA striker Folarin Balogun could play – but they channelled their frustration impressively.
García made a brave choice when he let stars Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku start on the bench. It will be interesting to see if he repeats it in Los Angeles.
Spain have sailed into the quarter-finals with few problems – after they recovered from the shock of their opening match against Cape Verde.
The fluid football is still there, but what is relatively new is the defensive stability – they have kept a clean sheet in all five games so far.
Lamine Yamal has shown glimpses of his genius – but if he can deliver a typically flamboyant performance over 90 minutes, it could be a long night for Belgium.
Prediction: Spain 3-0 Belgium
SATURDAY 11 JULY
🇳🇴 Norway – England 🏴 (23:00)
On paper, it seems quite simple: stop Erling Braut Haaland, and England are in the semi-finals.
Simplified, yes – but also partly true. Haaland scored two goals in Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil in the last eight, and has now scored in 14 straight international matches. His total stats are 62 goals in 54 caps.
The good news for England is that if they field a back four consisting of John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly – three of those four have trained against him at Manchester City. They know his quirks, triggers – and also what annoys him. That insider knowledge could be crucial for the Three Lions, who build on Monday’s uplifting win over Mexico.
It wasn’t a perfect performance technically – but the guts and determination the players showed, especially after the sending off of Jarell Quansah, testifies to a close-knit team.
The attacking play still needs polishing – but this seems like the perfect game for England to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Prediction: Norway 2 – 2 England (After full time)
The Premier League is calling for Antonio Nusa – clubs queuing up for signing!
SUNDAY 12 JULY
🇦🇷 Argentina – Switzerland 🇨🇭 (at 03:00)
How Argentina have reached this stage is a mystery – but it also says a lot about their determination to defend the trophy they won in Qatar.
They were below par against Cape Verde, and a chaos for 75 minutes against Egypt – but Lionel Scaloni’s side still found a way.
Even Lionel Messi looked unfocused in the last eight against the Egyptians – before leading a fantastic late turnaround to secure a 3-2 victory.
Yes, some of the refereeing decisions were questionable. Yes, there are still questions about the defence and midfield. But if Messi delivers, Argentina will be very difficult to stop.
Is Switzerland good enough to stop them? At least they will not give away the victory – as they showed in the hopelessly boring goalless draw against Colombia.
It was defensively and downright boring – but they got the job done on penalties. They have a lot of experience – but do they have enough quality?
Prediction: Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
World Cup 2026: Complete fixture schedule – all dates, results and the road to the final
