2026 World Cup Quarterfinal Preview: Morocco Targets Historic Title as Eight Teams Battle for Semifinal Places

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is approaching its decisive stages, with the remaining teams competing for a place in the final at New York-New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

Several established football nations have already been eliminated, while unexpected performers such as Cape Verde impressed during their first appearance at the tournament.

Morocco is the only African country still in the competition following Argentina’s victory over Egypt in the round of 16.

Norway and Paraguay also produced major surprises by eliminating Brazil and Germany.

The quarterfinal lineup consists of one African team, six European teams, and one South American team. All eight countries will now compete for the four available semifinal places.

Here is a preview of the four World Cup quarterfinal matches.

Morocco vs. France

Photo credit: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Photo caption: Morocco’s leading scorer, Ismael Saibari, who has scored three goals in the tournament, will miss the match because of an injury.

France enters the match as the favorite, according to several football analysts.

Les Bleus possess considerable attacking strength, led by captain Kylian Mbappé, who has scored seven of France’s 14 goals in the tournament.

Michael Olise has recorded a tournament-leading five assists, while Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé has contributed four goals.

France completed the group stage with a perfect nine points after defeating Senegal 3–1, Iraq 3–0, and Norway 4–1.

The French team then defeated Sweden 3–0 before earning a narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay in a difficult round-of-16 encounter.

Morocco has also faced strong opposition throughout the competition.

The Atlas Lions opened their campaign with a 1–1 draw against Brazil before defeating Scotland 1–0 and Haiti 4–2.

Morocco later eliminated the Netherlands through a penalty shootout before defeating co-host Canada 3–0 in the round of 16.

Although France and Morocco followed different routes to the quarterfinals, both teams have the same objective: securing a place in the semifinals.

Morocco will attempt to avenge its 2–0 defeat to France in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

During that tournament, the Atlas Lions became the first African national team to reach a World Cup semifinal.

France subsequently lost the final to Argentina on penalties as Lionel Messi and his teammates lifted the trophy.

France will now attempt to return to the final. Reaching the championship match would make Les Bleus the second European national team, after Germany, to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals.

The winner of the match will face either Spain or Belgium in the semifinal in Dallas on July 14.

France coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged Morocco’s quality and said his players must be effective in attack. He noted that Morocco has talented players and is competing to win, making it necessary for France to be fully prepared.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his team would not be distracted by public praise. Although he recognized France as the favorite, he maintained that Morocco would do everything possible to win and qualify for the semifinals.

France’s Possible Starting Lineup

Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Koné, Rabiot; Olise, Dembélé, Barcola; Mbappé.

Morocco’s Possible Starting Lineup

Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Halhal, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Díaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Rahimi.

The match will begin at 8:00 p.m. GMT, or 9:00 p.m. WAT, at Boston Stadium.

Spain vs. Belgium

finished third in 2018, and exited during the group stage in 2022.

Spain has reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since winning the tournament in South Africa in 2010.

Belgium did not qualify for the 2010 tournament but advanced to the quarterfinals in 2014 and finished third in 2018. The Red Devils were eliminated during the group stage in 2022.

The two teams will meet in Los Angeles after both completed the group stage without suffering a defeat.

Spain defeated Austria 3–0 in the round of 32 before eliminating Portugal with a late 1–0 victory.

Belgium overcame Senegal 3–2 after extra time in the round of 32 and then produced an impressive 4–1 victory over co-host United States.

Belgium will depend on experienced players such as Youri Tielemans, Kevin De Bruyne, and Thibaut Courtois as it attempts to eliminate the reigning European champions.

Spain will look to Lamine Yamal for inspiration alongside Rodri, Pedri, Álex Baena, and the other members of the squad.

Spain has not conceded a goal in its first five matches of the tournament.

Goalkeeper Unai Simón has established a record by completing 609 consecutive minutes without conceding. He will rely on defenders such as Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, and Pedro Porro to maintain Spain’s defensive record against Belgium.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois described Spain as the favourite because of its ability to control possession and apply immediate pressure after losing the ball. However, he said Belgium must exploit the space behind Spain’s defence.

Spain captain Rodri said his team must improve following its performance against Portugal.

He observed that Spain and Belgium have similar playing styles because both teams prefer to control possession. However, he stressed that Spain must increase the tempo and become more effective in the attacking third.

Spain’s Possible Starting Lineup

Unai Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.

Belgium’s Possible Starting Lineup

Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Raskin, Vanaken; Lukebakio, De Ketelaere, Trossard.

The match will begin at 7:00 p.m. GMT, or 8:00 p.m. WAT, at Los Angeles Stadium.

Norway vs. England

Norway made history by reaching the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time after defeating Brazil 2–0.

Erling Haaland has been Norway’s leading performer, scoring seven of the team’s 11 goals in the tournament.

Norway advanced from the group stage after finishing second behind France.

The team then defeated Ivory Coast 2–1 in the round of 32 before eliminating Brazil.

England also progressed as a group winner before defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 2–1 in the round of 32.

The Three Lions then eliminated host country Mexico with a dramatic 3–2 victory at the Azteca Stadium in one of the tournament’s most entertaining matches.

England completed the victory despite playing with 10 men. The match included impressive goals, penalties, and sustained intensity.

Captain Harry Kane has scored six goals and will attempt to lead England’s attack alongside Jude Bellingham, who has contributed four goals.

England and Norway have previously faced each other 12 times. England won seven of those matches, Norway won two, and three ended in draws.

The quarterfinal will feature several players who compete together in the English Premier League.

Haaland could face club teammates Marc Guéhi and Nico O’Reilly, while Norway captain Martin Ødegaard could play against Arsenal teammates Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Eberechi Eze.

Odegaard acknowledged England’s quality and described the match as a major challenge for Norway.

However, he said Norway must believe in its own ability after demonstrating that it can compete at the highest level. Although Norway enters the match as the underdog, Odegaard maintained that anything is possible in football.

England midfielder Morgan Rogers said the team is determined to create more memorable moments during the tournament.

The winner will qualify for the semifinal and face either Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta on July 15.

Norway’s Possible Starting Lineup

Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Møller Wolfe; Berg, Berge, Ødegaard; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa.

England’s Possible Starting Lineup

Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guéhi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

The match will begin at 9:00 p.m. GMT, or 10:00 p.m. WAT, at Miami Stadium.

Argentina vs. Switzerland

Defending champion Argentina will face Switzerland after completing a dramatic comeback against Egypt in the round of 16.

Argentina secured a 3–2 victory despite trailing 2–0 after 78 minutes.

Lionel Messi again played a decisive role by scoring one goal and providing one assist. The Argentine captain has now recorded eight goals and two assists in the tournament.

Egypt disputed several refereeing decisions and believed it should have received a late penalty after Mohamed Salah fell inside the penalty area.

Video replays appeared to show Julián Álvarez making contact with the ball before Salah collided with Álvarez’s standing leg and went to the ground.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan accused FIFA of favouring Argentina and attempting to help the defending champion win the tournament.

FIFA Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina rejected the accusation and described it as unsupported.

Collina defended the integrity of World Cup officials, explaining that constructive debate is part of football but that unsubstantiated accusations have no place in the sport.

Before facing Egypt, Argentina defeated Cape Verde 3–2 in a closely contested match in which the African debutant competed strongly against the world champion.

Switzerland reached the quarterfinals after defeating Colombia through a penalty shootout in the round of 16.

The Swiss had previously defeated Algeria 2–0 in the round of 32.

This is Switzerland’s first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 1954.

Although Switzerland enters the match as the underdog, the team hopes to build on its performance against Colombia.

Argentina and Switzerland have met seven times. Argentina has won five of those encounters, while the remaining two ended in draws.

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin expressed confidence that his team could defeat Argentina and advance to the semifinals.

He said Argentina’s recent matches against Cape Verde and Egypt demonstrated that the defending champion could be vulnerable. Yakin expects a tactical contest and believes Switzerland has the ability to challenge Argentina.

Argentina’s Possible Starting Lineup

E. Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Medina; Paredes; De Paul, Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Álvarez.

Switzerland’s Possible Starting Lineup

Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodríguez; Jashari, Xhaka, Freuler; Ndoye, Embolo, Rieder.

The match will begin at 1:00 a.m. GMT, or 2:00 a.m. WAT, at Kansas City Stadium.

Sources: BBC