Ranking the World Cup favourites as we reach quarter-finals

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9 July 2026

The 2026

FIFA

World Cup

quarter-finals are here as the last eight battle for football’s biggest prize.

The quarter-finals are perhaps the stage where anything feels possible, with the remaining teams now just two wins from a place in the final. Ahead of the last-eight ties, we’ve looked at how the bookmakers assess the favourites to become world champions.

After falling short in the last 16 in three consecutive World Cups, the Swiss squeezed past Colombia on penalties to reach the last eight for only the second time.

It’s Switzerland’s first quarter-final appearance since 1954, though they have reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship in each of the last two tournaments. Outsiders, no doubt, but certainly capable ahead of facing

Argentina

next.

–

Wednesday, 8 July 2026

Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ passed without silverware, as a talented team featuring Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, and more fell just short of big prizes. The last remnants of that team remain, with Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne leading a new wave of talent.

Belgium struggled to convince during the group stage, but a 4-1 thrashing of co-hosts USA in the last 16 has raised confidence.

The last remaining African team,

Morocco

are bidding to reach the semi-finals for the second straight tournament. No African team had ever reached the final four prior to their 2022 run, but the AFCON winners are one win from repeating the feat.

However,

face favourites

France

next, the side that ended their 2022 venture.

Norway are back on the

stage for the first time this century and are making sure they make their mark. The Norwegians have reached the quarter-finals for the first time, eliminating five-time winners Brazil in the last round.

Dubbed Dark Horses before a ball had been kicked, Erling Haaland and company have lived up to that billing.

Sunday, 5 July 2026

Can

England

end a 60-year wait for success?

The Three Lions’ long wait for a major tournament success has been well documented, with recent years seeing final defeats and near misses. Thomas Tuchel’s side showed plenty of grit to overcome Mexico at the Azteca, but their flaws have also been evident this summer.

Only two teams have ever won back-to-back World Cups, with the last of those Brazil in 1958 and 1962. That’s the scale of task

face this summer, though the world champions are back in the quarter-finals.

Lionel Messi’s magic has led La Albiceleste through to the last eight, with the 39-year-old scoring eight goals to lead the Golden Boot race. A stunning comeback against Egypt showcased the holders’ never-say-die spirit.

Spain stuttered on matchday one with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, but have been flawless since. The European champions are yet to concede a single goal in North America, securing five consecutive clean sheets.

France head into the quarter-finals as favourites, having looked formidable so far. A hard-fought win over Paraguay in the last-16 showcased some vulnerabilities, having blitzed through to that stage with 13 goals scored in four games.

Didier Deschamps has the know-how and attacking talent to go all the way.

are bidding for a third consecutive final appearance.

Read –

Five of the best World Cup quarter-final clashes

See more –

The African nations to reach the World Cup quarter-finals

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