With the quarter-finals underway, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been trimmed to its final eight. All three co-hosts are already out, along with traditional powerhouses like Brazil and Germany, leaving reigning champions Argentina, plus Belgium, England, France, Morocco, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland to fight for a place in the semi-finals — and, ultimately, the final at MetLife Stadium.

France

France head into the quarter-finals as the tournament's form team, having outscored opponents by a wide margin so far and looking every bit the favorite to reach a third consecutive World Cup semi-final. Kylian Mbappé has been the standout attacking threat, and with Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba anchoring the defense, France look built to go deep. Their round of 16 win over Paraguay showed they can grind out results even when the goals don't flow, which bodes well against tougher opposition ahead.

Morocco

Morocco reached the semi-finals in 2022 and now get an immediate rematch with France in the quarter-finals — the team that ended their historic run last time. This version of Morocco has shown flashes of quality, including a comfortable win over Canada, but inconsistent performances against Haiti and in their group stage have raised questions about whether they can sustain a full 90 minutes against elite opposition. Beating France would make them the first African nation to reach back-to-back World Cup semi-finals.

Spain

Spain remain unbeaten in 35 straight matches and haven't conceded a single goal at this tournament — a defensive record built around Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí that has frustrated every attack they've faced. Their challenge in the quarter-finals is finding enough of a cutting edge going forward, with key attacking pieces like Lamine Yamal still working back to full sharpness. If their defense holds, Spain are a match for anyone left in the draw.

Belgium

Belgium's route here hasn't been smooth — they needed a comeback against Senegal after trailing 2-0, and draws with Egypt and Iran meant a group-stage victory over New Zealand was essential just to advance. Since then, though, they've found form, extending an unbeaten run to 18 straight games and cruising past the United States in the round of 16. Belgium may be the most under-the-radar team left in the tournament.

England

England have looked sharp in bursts, including a memorable win over Mexico at the Azteca, and their pairing of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham gives them a blend of experience and creativity that few teams can match. Their quarter-final opponent, Norway, presents a specific challenge in Erling Haaland, but England's defenders know him well from facing him week to week in the Premier League — a familiarity that could prove decisive.

Norway

Norway's run to the quarter-finals is already historic, powered almost entirely by Erling Haaland, who has scored in every appearance so far and is putting up the best goals-per-minute rate of any player in the tournament. Their win over Brazil, capped by a Haaland brace in the final minutes, was one of the standout results of the knockout rounds. The question now is whether Norway have enough depth around their talisman to trouble a stronger, more balanced England side.

Argentina

The defending champions have looked far from their best at times, with a round of 16 comeback against Egypt from two goals down needed just to survive. Lionel Messi, at 39, remains the engine of the entire team, directly involved in nearly every goal they've scored. Question marks over Argentina's defensive structure and midfield balance persist, but as long as Messi keeps producing moments of magic, they remain dangerous opponents for anyone.

Switzerland

Switzerland are enjoying their best World Cup run since 1954, advancing past Colombia on penalties to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in decades. Their strength lies in a well-organized, experienced spine — Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler in midfield, Manuel Akanji marshaling the defense — and they may be one of the few teams equipped to disrupt Messi through the center of the pitch. Reaching the semi-finals would already rank among the greatest achievements in Swiss football history.

The Road to the Final

Whichever four teams emerge from the quarter-finals will meet in the semi-finals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 15, before the two winners contest the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. Given how unpredictable this tournament has already been — every host nation eliminated, Brazil and Germany both gone, and the reigning champions needing a miracle just to reach the last eight — there's little reason to expect the remaining rounds will be any less dramatic.

If you're planning to follow the knockout rounds in person, it's worth comparing options early, since seating for the semi-finals and final tends to move quickly once matchups are confirmed. Ticombo is one place to check availability across both stages of the tournament — you can browse world cup 2026 semi final tickets for the Arlington and Atlanta matches, or look ahead to world cup 2026 final tickets for July 19 in New Jersey.

Final Thoughts

Eight teams remain, and realistically, most of them can make a case for reaching the final. France look the most complete side on paper, Spain the most defensively secure, and Argentina the most experienced at winning knockout football — but this tournament has already shown that reputation counts for little once the whistle blows. The semi-finals promise to separate genuine contenders from teams whose run has simply run its course.

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