World Cup Bracket 2026 Odds and Predictions for All Quarterfinal Bracket
The stage, as they say, has been set. The 2026 World Cup is now down to just eight teams, and the quarterfinals are slated to begin on Thursday with a showdown between France and Morocco.
The four quarterfinal matches are slated to be played over a three-day stretch, setting up next week's semifinals.
40 teams have been eliminated, while eight still have a shot at winning the largest tournament in World Cup history. Here's a look at what's in store for the weekend, including scheduling information, viewing info, updated odds, and a few predictions.
France vs. Morocco
1 of 4
Time: Thursday, July 9 at 4 p.m. ET
Venue: Boston Area
TV and Live Stream: Fox, Telemundo, Fox One
Money Line: France -420 (bet $420 to win $100), Morocco +310 (bet $100 to win $310)
France entered the tournament as one of the top favorites, and it's easy to understand why. Led by superstar Kylian Mbappé, Les Bleus won the 2018 tournament and finished as the runner-up to Argentina in 2022.
With Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola out in front, France has had one of the most explosive and creative attacks in the entire 48-nation field. That was evident as the squad outscored opponents 15-2 through the round of 32.
Expect France to consistently torment Morocco's back line and to ensure that keeper Yassine Bounou gets few chances to catch his breath. However, Les Bleus are not invulnerable, as their round of 16 matchup with Paraguay showed. France had to crawl to a 1-0 victory in a very physical, often ugly game of football.
"I had never played a match like this, with so many hits," France midfielder Manu Koné said after the match, per Aaron Bracy of the Associated Press.
Morocco should be a bit fresher after rolling Canada 3-0 in the last round. If the Atlas Lions can get out to a faster start than they did against Canada and force the French to chase, they could pull off the upset. However, that will prove difficult if star striker Ismael Saibari (hamstring) can't go or is at less than 100 percent.
Prediction: France 2, Morocco 1
Spain vs. Belgium
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Time: Friday, July 10 at 3 p.m. ET
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium
TV and Live Stream: Fox, Telemundo, Fox One
Money Line: Spain -355, Belgium +270
Belgium showed exactly what it is capable of during Monday night's systematic dismantling of the United States. Rarely did the Americans look like they belonged on the same pitch as the Red Devils romped their way to a 4-1 victory.
After looking a bit sluggish earlier in the tournament, Belgium played a masterful match in the round of 16. Let by the precision striking of Charles De Ketelaere—two tallied two goals to go with one apiece from Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku—the Red Devils consistently pressured the USA backline and peppered keeper Matt Freese relentlessly.
Whether it was the unexpected benching of Kevin De Bruyne or a rallying response to the reversal of Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension, something clicked for Belgium on Monday night.
If Belgium plays as efficiently as it did against Team USA, it can advance to the final four.
However, Spain's precision, ball control, and stellar defense will make for a difficult (and highly entertaining) matchup.
Led by defensive phenom Pau Cubarsí and keeper Unai Simón, La Roja still has yet to concede a goal at this World Cup. In fact, Simón has a World Cup clean sheet that dates back to December of 2022, when he allowed a goal in group play against Japan.
There's a reason why Spain entered this tournament as one of the favorites, and La Roja should stay true to form on Friday.
Prediction: Spain 2, Belgium 1
England vs. Norway
3 of 4
Time: Saturday, July 11 at 5 p.m. ET
Venue: Miami Stadium
TV and Live Stream: Fox, Telemundo, Fox One
Money Line: England -235, Norway +190
Norway's Erling Haaland has been on a tear in this tournament and remains just one goal behind Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race—Haaland and Mbappé are tied with seven apiece. While it's fair to wonder if the team around Haaland is truly championship-caliber, it hasn't really mattered during the knockout rounds.
During Sunday's upset of Brazil, Norway's defense did enough to produce a late scoreless stalemate, which Haaland broke in the 79th minute. He scored again in the 90th minute to make Neymar's score in extra time meaningless.
"Maybe this will write history in Norway," Haaland said after the match, per ESPN's Mark Ogden. "Everyone just need to enjoy themselves."
If keeper Ørjan Nyland and the Norwegian backline can at least limit England's attack, Haaland could once again be the deciding factor.
However, holding off the Three Lions is far easier in theory than in practice. England just proved that in its 3-2 win over Mexico at Estadio Azteca—a game in which Jarell Quansah received a red card in the 54th minute, leaving England with just 10 players.
England's defense is more capable than most of slowing Haaland, and its attack, led by Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, is quite potent as well. The real question is whether the Three Lions will suffer a letdown after Sunday's survival or use the big win as fuel for a semifinal run.
Prediction: England 3, Norway 2
Argentina vs. Switzerland
4 of 4
Time: Saturday, July 11 at 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Kansas City Stadium
TV and Live Stream: Fox, Telemundo, Fox One
Money Line: Argentina -300, Switzerland +235
Switzerland has reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954, and it has looked like a formidable squad. Though one could argue that its path to the round of 16 wasn't particularly difficult, things got infinitely more difficult on Tuesday.
The Swiss won Group B and rolled past Algeria in the first knockout round but went up against a stingy Colombia squad in the round of 16. Los Cafeteros had conceded just one goal through the round of 32 and again held firm against Dan Ndoye, Ruben Vargas, and a potent Swiss attack.
Budding star Johan Manzambi missed the match with an injury.
The Switzerland defense held as well, though, setting up a PK showdown following extra time. Vargas knocked in the winner to give the Swiss the 4-3 edge and a trip to face Argentina on Saturday night.
Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, had to survive its own tough match on Tuesday. La Albiceleste faced a 2-0 second-half deficit against Egypt before a furious comeback delivered one of the most memorable finishes of the tournament thus far.
Cristian Romero scored i the 70th minute to draw within one, while Lionel Messi drew even in the 83rd. Enzo Fernández then scored on a header in stoppage time to break the stalemate.
This should be a back-and-forth, tightly contested match, and after watching Argentina struggle against both Cabo Verde and Egypt, It's not hard to envision an upset. With Messi leading the charge, though, it is hard to see Argentina's run ending now.
Prediction: Argentina 2, Switzerland 1
