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Forty teams are left out. There are only eight left standing. We have reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and these eight teams are still in the fight to win it all. Now, it is not easy to predict how things will develop in the later rounds of the World Cup, and big surprises surely await us.
Here’s my ranking of the remaining eight teams with a look at why they could win the title and why they couldn’t.
8.
(Photo by BRUNO FAHY / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images)
Because: Under the guidance of coach Rudi Garcia, Belgium is a team that is gaining strength as the tournament progresses after a slow start. The team starts with a relatively older starting lineup that has used their wisdom to their advantage. Against the United States, Belgium was hardly bothered by the opponent’s home field advantage, the United States’ first-half draw or the controversy over the revocation of Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension. Belgium are a comfortable and intelligent team at the moment who are very effective attacking from outside and catching runners in the box.
Why not: At some point, age could start to work against the Red Devils. Furthermore, playing against Spain in the quarterfinals requires competing in the midfield against Pedri and Rodri. In addition to Charles De Ketelaere playing against the United States, he is probably not the caliber forward who could make a difference in the later rounds of the World Cup.
7.
(Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Because: As we saw in the penalty shootout victory over Colombia in the round of 16, Switzerland is one of the most defensively disciplined teams left in the tournament. Spain has not conceded goals but also dominates possession. Switzerland doesn’t have the ball that often, but their defense usually always has answers. Murat Yakin is one of the best coaches left in this tournament and has put together an intelligent, compact team that defends well and chooses the right moments to attack. Switzerland is clearly a team on the rise.
Why not: Defending against Argentina is another level of what the Swiss have done so far. But perhaps an even bigger concern is the injury to Johan Manzambi, who has been one of the best players in the tournament. The versatile 20-year-old attacker did not play against Colombia due to a knee injury he suffered in the team’s last training session. Not having it against Argentina is a hard blow.
6.
(Photo by Sebastián Frej/Getty Images)
Because: Four years ago in Qatar, Morocco advanced to the World Cup semifinals. Since then, the team has only improved and grown. Both their senior team and their junior national team indicate that this team will be good for years to come. Morocco has an elite right side of the pitch with winger Brahim Diaz playing well and Achraf Hakimi is arguably the best right back in the world. Central midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is also one of the best teenagers in the world. Morocco should be highly motivated against France as the two nations have strong historical ties with six Moroccan players being born and raised in France.
Why not: Morocco have a major injury problem and Ismael Saibari is likely to be out for their match against France. Saibari scored in each of the group stage games and was key in the team’s offense. In a match where Morocco needs all hands on deck, the Atlas Lions will be missing their best striker. Morocco is a great team, but they are still behind France. But now, facing short-handed Les Bleus, Morocco has a huge uphill climb.
5.
(Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Because: Norway has arguably the best centre-forward of his generation in Erling Haaland, who has seven goals in four appearances at this World Cup. He is leading Norway to its best run in a tournament. But the team’s main supporting cast, Martin Ødegaard and Antonio Nusa, have also been stellar.
Why not: This team’s biggest concern is its depth. Haaland has at least one goal in every game he has played, and Ødegaard has been key in controlling the midfield. But if one of them has a bad game, are the other options on the team good enough to take over? Probably not.
4.
(Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Because: Harry Kane lives up to expectations in this tournament with six goals. He can lead England to victories at times when they are not playing well (such as the 2-1 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The best news for England came in the round of 16 victory over Mexico, when Jude Bellingham looked his best in the entire tournament by far. The same could be said for Anthony Gordon. If that’s the case, England is building an offense that has multiple attacking strengths.
Why not: The team’s defense has had too many leaks at times. In the last round, Mexico scored two goals and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had to bail out his teammates on several occasions. Against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, England were lucky to have conceded only one. England were also poor defensively against Croatia. When better teams appear, the biggest question is whether England’s defense can hold up.
3.
(Photo by Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Because: Argentina knows how to win and fights very hard when its back is against the wall. The victory over Egypt shows how well they handle adversity. The team also has the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, who can win games on his own.
Why not: There is an age factor. The Albiceleste has retained most of its same players from the 2022 team that won the World Cup. It was difficult for Argentina to win in 2022 and the 2026 team probably won’t be as good. Messi is four years older, he is 39. Furthermore, the team still depends a lot on him. The first two knockout rounds were especially grueling for this team, as it took 120 minutes to beat Cape Verde, and the 3-2 victory over Egypt required a huge effort at the end to pull off a comeback. How much will be left in the tank?
2.
(Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Because: In five games it has been impossible to break the Spanish defense, which has not conceded a goal. Luis de la Fuente’s team is getting solid production from center forward Mikel Oyarzabal with four goals, but a total of five players have scored for Spain in this tournament (not counting an own goal). That gives Spain a balanced attack with several ways to win games. Combined with their best defense of the tournament and arguably the best central midfield duo of Rodri and Pedri, Spain has a lot to offer.
Why not: With a 0-0 draw and two 1-0 wins over Uruguay and Portugal, Spain has walked a fine line at times. Oyarzabal is an excellent striker, but can he carry this team like Kane, Mbappé and Haaland do? Until Yamal advances like he has at Barcelona, Oyarzabal needs to be that guy.
1.
(Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Because: From top to bottom, France had the most talented team in this tournament. What’s even better for the French is that their three best players are in fantastic form. Kylian Mbappé has seven goals in this tournament. Michael Olise has arguably been the best playmaker in the World Cup. Finally Ousmane Dembélé scored, who came into this tournament without scoring a goal in the World Cup. Now the current Ballon d’Or winner has four goals and two assists to open a second point of attack. Additionally, surrounding this team are world-class players at all positions.
Why not: It will take a Herculean effort to defeat France in any of the three remaining rounds. But it is possible. The most difficult job for coach Didier Deschamps is managing the huge egos within the team. As France’s 1998 World Cup winner Frank Lebouef recently said: “I would say that France’s best enemy is France itself. Again, if the chemistry is not there, if there are ego problems between the players, they are not going to win anything. And when we are the favorites, things are never good for France.”
