The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals promise a fascinating lineup. Eight of the world’s best teams have survived a dramatic group stage and knockout phase. Now, the competition intensifies as only four teams will advance to the semifinals and keep their dreams of lifting the World Cup trophy alive.
Among the remaining eight teams, four are former World Cup champions—France, England, Spain, and Argentina. The other four—Morocco, Belgium, Norway, and Switzerland—are aiming to make history by capturing their first-ever FIFA World Cup title.
The quarterfinals are expected to showcase contrasting styles of play, featuring battles between experience and youthful ambition, tradition and emerging power, as well as tactical duels between some of the world’s top coaches.
One of the most anticipated fixtures is the clash between France and Morocco, a rematch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal.
The atmosphere, however, is very different this time. France enters the match as one of the tournament favorites after edging past Paraguay in a hard-fought victory.
Morocco, meanwhile, has continued to mature since reaching the semifinals four years ago. The Atlas Lions impressed with a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada, once again proving they are far more than just a surprise package.
Although the squad depth and experience of Kylian Mbappé and his teammates give Les Bleus a slight advantage, Morocco’s disciplined team organization could pose a serious threat.
Spain, meanwhile, ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup journey with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal. La Roja once again demonstrated their trademark possession-based football, supported by impressive squad depth, with even their substitutes making decisive contributions.
Belgium, on the other hand, delivered one of the most efficient performances of the Round of 16 by crushing the United States 4-1 despite leaving Kevin De Bruyne on the bench at kickoff. The performance suggested that Belgium’s new generation is increasingly capable of thriving without relying solely on its veteran stars.
Their meeting is expected to be a fascinating tactical battle. Spain will likely dominate possession, while Belgium will rely on quick transitions and clinical finishing.
Norway’s Fairytale Continues, England Ready for the Challenge
Another quarterfinal features Norway, one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 World Cup after eliminating Brazil with a stunning 2-1 victory.
The result cemented Norway’s status as perhaps the tournament’s most dangerous dark horse.
Erling Haaland has been the driving force behind Norway’s aggressive, fast-paced, and highly efficient attacking style. However, their next opponent presents an even greater challenge.
England enters the match with greater experience in the latter stages of major international tournaments. After surviving a demanding encounter against Mexico, the Three Lions possess the individual quality and squad depth that continue to make them one of the tournament favorites.
The match is expected to be open and entertaining, with both teams boasting dangerous attacking units.
Argentina Face Switzerland’s Defensive Discipline
Defending champions Argentina reached the quarterfinals after one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament.
Trailing Egypt by two goals, Lionel Messi and his teammates staged an impressive comeback to secure a 3-2 victory.
Their next challenge comes against Switzerland, who have displayed remarkable discipline throughout the tournament and eliminated Colombia in a penalty shootout.
Switzerland’s defensive organization has been its greatest strength, while Argentina continues to rely on Messi’s creativity and the experience of its veteran players in high-pressure matches.
If Argentina can break down Switzerland’s compact defense, their hopes of successfully defending the World Cup title will become even stronger.
Reflection of Today’s Football Powerhouses
Former Persib Bandung player and coach Djadjang Nurdjaman believes the final eight teams accurately reflect the current balance of power in world football.
“The eight teams that have reached the quarterfinals truly represent the current strength of world football. Every match is expected to be exciting and closely contested. France will not have an easy time against Morocco, just as Spain against Belgium, England against Norway, and Argentina against Switzerland,” he said.
According to Djadjang, the tournament would become even more compelling if the semifinals featured football’s traditional heavyweights.
“If we want the 2026 World Cup to maintain the highest level of quality, I hope the semifinals feature France against Spain and England against Argentina,” he added.
Dark Horses Still Have a Chance
Former Persib player from the 1990s, Dede Rosadi, offered a different perspective.
He acknowledged that the traditional football powers continue to dominate, but insisted that surprises remain possible.
“Looking at the Round of 16 results, the favorites such as France, Spain, England, and Argentina are still dominating. They are regular quarterfinalists,” Dede said.
However, he emphasized that the four dark horses have enormous motivation.
“Morocco, Belgium, Norway, and Switzerland should not be underestimated. They have the ambition to defeat the traditional giants. Besides technical quality and tactical preparation, there is immense pride in eliminating one of the tournament favorites,” he explained.
According to Dede, Norway has the greatest opportunity among the four underdogs to pull off another upset.
“If I had to predict, Norway has the best chance among the underdogs of reaching the semifinals. But football is not mathematics. Two plus two doesn’t always equal four. Everything can change depending on the circumstances on the pitch,” he said.
In other words, the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals represent the ultimate proving ground.
The favorites are determined to reinforce their status as title contenders, while the dark horses are eager to write a new chapter in football history.
The four quarterfinal matches are about far more than the brilliance of individual stars—they are battles of tactics, mentality, and experience. Even the smallest mistake could bring a team’s World Cup dream to an abrupt end.
Will the four traditional football giants advance as expected, or will Morocco, Belgium, Norway, or Switzerland deliver another stunning upset? The answer will unfold in four fiercely contested quarterfinal matches.***
