World Cup 2026: Ranking the 4 quarterfinal games from best to worst
Just eight of 48 World Cup teams remain.
The quarterfinals begin on Thursday after the first day without a game since the tournament kicked off. Here’s how we think the four matchups stack up after a fantastic Round of 16.
4. Argentina vs. Switzerland
Saturday | 9 p.m. ET | TV: Fox
Odds to advance: Argentina (-285), Switzerland (+220)
Perhaps we’re not giving the Swiss enough credit. Switzerland is in the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since 1954 after beating Colombia in the Round of 16. And yes, we’d have an Argentina-Colombia matchup a bit higher in the rankings given that the teams met for the Copa América title in 2024 and Colombia’s (relative) recent success against Argentina.
We also might not be giving Argentina enough credit for making knockout round games dramatic, either. The Argentines have played two of the best elimination games of the tournament so far and have become the World Cup kings of drama.
Both teams are extremely experienced and it’s hard to see how Switzerland will be fazed by going up against the defending World Cup champions. The Swiss will likely play extremely defensively — but trying to leave a game late against Argentina may be a fool’s errand.
3. Belgium vs. Spain
Friday | 3 p.m. ET | TV: Fox
Odds to advance: Spain (-325), Belgium (+250)
Was Belgium’s domination of the United States an aberration in what had been a relatively milquetoast World Cup campaign, or did Rudi Costa’s squad really find something in the late minutes of its comeback against Senegal in the Round of 32. Kevin De Bruyne didn’t see the field against the United States after he was subbed off early against Senegal.
Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku didn’t start, either. But they entered as substitutes and were both extremely dangerous. How much of that was the USMNT’s porous defending?
Spain has looked more and more dangerous as the tournament has gone on, though it took until the final minutes to get a goal against Portugal.
Portugal has been one of the best defensive teams of the tournament, however. It allowed just three goals in five games. Belgium has Thibaut Courtois in goal, but Spain’s ball movement could cause headaches for Belgium’s midfield and back line with Amadou Onana out for the rest of the tournament with a significant knee injury.
2. France vs. Morocco
Thursday | 4 p.m. ET | Fox
Odds to advance: France (-375), Morocco (+275)
It’s a high bar when a semifinal rematch in the quarterfinals doesn’t get the top spot. Morocco has scored 10 goals over five games so far. In 2022, it scored six goals in seven games and failed to score on three different occasions.
The 2026 iteration of Morocco is certainly better going forward than the team from four years ago. Is it as staunch defensively? Morocco had four shutouts and no one scored more than a single goal against it until France’s 2-0 win in the semifinals.
And this France team is better going forward than it was four years ago. Kylian Mbappé trails only Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race because he’s been in top form. And also because teammates like Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola won’t let opponents focus solely on stopping Mbappé.
But like Morocco, this France team isn’t as good defensively, either. France’s incredible attack has covered for a midfield that isn’t as good as it’s been in previous years. Morocco is France’s toughest test yet.
1. England vs. Norway
Saturday | 5 p.m. ET | Fox
Odds to advance: England (-225), Norway (+175)
Yes, England really has a legitimate chance to win the World Cup. But Norway can say the same.
Erling Haaland’s first World Cup has been nothing short of exceptional. Despite missing the group stage finale against France along with the rest of Norway’s starting lineup, Haaland has scored seven goals. His teammates have combined for four. Norway is an absolute wrecking ball with Haaland on the field — he averages more than a goal a game on international duty.
England’s center backs are very, very familiar with him. Of course, so was Brazil’s Gabriel. But Haaland got the best of the Arsenal defender for his first goal against Brazil. Both John Stones and Marc Guehi are teammates with Haaland at Manchester City and Ezri Konsa has gone up against Haaland while at Aston Villa.
The Three Lions are also going from the altitude in Mexico City to the humidity in Miami. Though the win over Mexico didn’t go to extra time, it was still a draining win — especially as England played much of the second half down a man. Norway won’t be afraid to go at England, either. It was wholly the better team against Brazil.
