B/R Football Staff Predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals

On to the quarterfinals.

The pretenders have been eliminated, and the true contenders have advanced to the last eight of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

And the matchups in this round are sure to be exciting.

Spain vs. Belgium, France vs. Morocco, England vs. Norway, and Argentina vs. Switzerland.

So, who's moving on to the last four?

The B/R Football Staff provided their predictions for the quarterfinal games.

Disagree with our team? Submit your thoughts on the games in the comments section of the app.

France vs. Morocco

Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe

Date, Time and Location: Thursday, July 9, 4 p.m. ET, Boston

TV Network: Fox

France is battered and bruised after its meeting with Paraguay, while Morocco is fairly fresh after swatting aside Canada. That could prove crucial, so I'm going bold and picking a narrow win for the Atlas Lions.

Prediction: France 1-2 Morocco

- Leo Collis

Despite its close call in the Round of 16 and Morocco's evident quality, it's impossible to look past France's absurdity of attacking riches. Morocco will put up a fight, but the star-studded French will prevail.

Prediction: France 2-1 Morocco

- Joe Lowery

France still looks like the team to beat at the tournament, but Morocco still has enough quality to make it a close match. In the end, though, France's front attacking trident looks scary and will likely be too much for the Moroccan defense to handle.

Prediction: France 2-0 Morocco

- Alex Windley

Morocco's threat on the counter-attack will be a concern, but France passing the mental test offered by Paraguay's spiky approach only reaffirmed why it's the tournament favorite. Quite simply, there's only one team that will have a player as good as Kylian Mbappé.

Prediction: France 3-1 Morocco

- Calum Rogers

This excellent Morocco side should play more expansively than Paraguay, meaning France will have plenty of opportunities to impact the scoreline. I'm expecting a close, hard-fought battle, settled by Didier Deschamps' attacking talent.

Prediction: France 2-1 Morocco

- Nick Akerman

Spain vs. Belgium

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Lamine Yamal

Date, Time and Location: Friday July 10, 3 p.m. ET, Los Angeles

TV Network: Fox

It's not quite clicking for Spain, and Belgium has scored 12 goals in its last three games. That could spell trouble for La Furia Roja.

Prediction: Spain 1-2 Belgium

- Leo Collis

While Belgium made things look easy against the United States in the Round of 16, Spain is just too effective on the ball to be denied in this one. Its depth and unified tactical understanding will help the Spanish team take care of business.

Prediction: Spain 3-0 Belgium

- Joe Lowery

With Belgium using the controversy surrounding Florian Balogun's red card as fuel to beat the U.S. even without Kevin De Bruyne, who will be well-rested should he start against Spain, the Red Devils could pull off the improbable here. But, Spain's "death by 1,000 passes" will likely be too much for the Belgians.

Prediction: Spain 3-1 Belgium

- Alex Windley

Belgium have jolted into life after a lackluster beginning to the tournament, but it still doesn't have the technical quality to match Spain in that area, and losing the physicality of Amadou Onana in midfield is tough ahead of what would have been an ideal matchup for the Aston Villa midfielder.

Prediction: Spain 2-0 Belgium

- Calum Rogers

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia sacrificed big-name players for the good of the team against the U.S., a decision that improved his side's stability and added some exciting firepower to come off the bench. The Belgians have it in them to give Spain a tough game, but Luis de la Fuente's defence will stand strong.

Prediction: Spain 1-0 Belgium

- Nick Akerman

England vs. Norway

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Erling Haaland

Date, Time and Location: Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. ET, Miami

TV Network: Fox

The England back line should be better equipped than most to handle Erling Haaland. With no stubborn defense in the way, either, the Three Lions' attack should flourish, and a handful of goals will negate anything the Manchester City forward can muster.

Prediction: England 3-1 Norway

- Leo Collis

Norway's run past Brazil has captured hearts, but England's blend of physicality and on-ball quality will prove too much for Haaland and Co.

Prediction: England 2-1 Norway

- Joe Lowery

While the "Summer of Haaland" has been fun to witness from afar, England's incredible effort to escape the Azteca with a win gives it the upper hand. The Three Lions are about as battle-tested and ready for a deep run as any team.

Prediction: England 3-2 Norway

- Alex Windley

England doesn't have a direct answer for Haaland in defence, but it's strong enough elsewhere to limit his supply and give Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham more chances to hurt Norway at the other end of the pitch.

Prediction: England 2-1 Norway

- Calum Rogers

For all the talk of Haaland, Norway still have to face Kane, whose captain's performance played a major role in the win over Mexico. However, my gut is telling me the Norwegian star keeps the streak going with a win that blasts him into another stratosphere with the local audience.

Prediction: Norway win on penalties, 2-2 (AET)

- Nick Akerman

Argentina vs. Switzerland

Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Lionel Messi

Date, Time and Location: Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m. ET, Kansas City

TV Network: Fox

It's Lionel Messi's world, and we're all just living in it. Even when not at his best, he's still having a massive impact on Argentina's games. While Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties, a tame draw over 120 minutes doesn't suggest it can offer much of a challenge up against the GOAT.

Prediction: Argentina 3-0 Switzerland

- Leo Collis

Might Argentina be the team of destiny at this World Cup? It has escaped close calls against Cape Verde and Egypt. Switzerland won't stop the holders from putting together another gutsy win.

Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Switzerland

- Joe Lowery

Argentina has survived two major scares in the knockout rounds, but while it's concerning that its performance levels seem to be declining, it surely can't be as complacent against an experienced Switzerland team as it has been in its last two games.

Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Switzerland

- Calum Rogers

While the Swiss have fought admirably to get to this stage, Argentina, with a determined Messi, is a scary sight. La Albiceleste's fight against Egypt may give them the fuel to make it back to the final.

Prediction: Argentina 2-1 Switzerland (AET)

- Alex Windley

Argentina is truly blessed in this competition, with two bad performances against teams that weren't equipped to beat them. Switzerland should push Lionel Scaloni's men all the way, but Messi and his colleagues will keep finding a solution.

Prediction: Argentina 1-0 Switzerland

- Nick Akerman