A general view showing the rating after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
KANSAS CITY–The World Cup is all the way down to just eight teams, with a heavyweight line-up set to do battle within the quarterfinals from Thursday.
AFP Sport looks on the match-ups, all of that are happening in the US.
France vs Morocco
France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot the opening goal throughout the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Imperious France has lived as much as its billing as World Cup favorites, sweeping through the group stage and swatting aside Sweden before edging past Paraguay within the last 16.
It’s difficult to see any team keeping Didier Deschamps’ men quiet, given their embarrassment of riches in attack, including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and the splendidly creative Michael Olise.
But unbeaten Morocco won’t be fazed by facing the two-time world champions after seeing off the Netherlands on penalties and crushing co-host Canada 3-0 within the last 16.
The North African team may have revenge on their minds in Boston after they lost to France within the semi-finals 4 years ago in Qatar.
The Atlas Lions created history by becoming the primary African team to progress to the last 4 in 2022 and shall be keen to match that feat.
Spain vs Belgium
Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) celebrates with Mikel Oyarzabal after scoring a goal throughout the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
In beating Portugal 1-0 on Monday, Spain became the primary team in tournament history to record six consecutive World Cup clean sheets.
Luis de la Fuente’s European champions don’t at all times set pulses racing but they’re strikingly efficient and cozy on the ball.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has netted only once in five games but Mikel Oyarzabal has scored 4 times, including twice in a 3-0 win against Austria within the last 32.
Belgium goes into the match in Los Angeles on the back of a 4-1 thumping of co-host the US.
That got here after they rallied from two goals down within the last 32 to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra-time.
The World Cup is probably going the last hurrah for the rest of the nation’s so-called Golden Generation, including Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, who shall be desperate to go away the stage on a high.
Norway vs England
Norway’s forward #09 Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates throughout the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and Norway on the Recent York/Recent Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 5, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
England’s defenders are used to facing Norway hotshot Erling Haaland within the Premier League — but whether or not they can handle him is one other story.
Thomas Tuchel’s men arrived in the US among the many favourites to win the tournament for just the second time of their history.
Captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have been the standout players to this point, scoring 10 of the team’s 11 goals, including all three in a gripping 3-2 win against Mexico.
England, reduced to 10 men, needed to dig deep to see off the co-hosts in a result that may infuse them with confidence ahead of their meeting with Norway.
But they may come up against a team in Miami led by the irrepressible Haaland, who has scored seven goals to this point as he chases the Golden Boot.
The Manchester City man has netted in each of his past 14 competitive outings for Norway — 27 goals in total — and is sure to create problems for England’s shaky defence.
Argentina vs Switzerland
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates together with his teammates after scoring his side’s second goal throughout the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Lionel Messi’s Argentina has come through two almighty scares to establish a quarter-final against Switzerland.
The defending champions were taken to extra-time by World Cup debutants Cape Verde before prevailing 3-2.
Then within the last 16 they looked down and out when trailing 2-0 against Egypt before an astonishing comeback, with Messi on the centre of the motion.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni will know his team cannot keep testing fate as they chase a fourth World Cup crown, but they’ve shown they’ll never be counted out.
Now they face Switzerland in Kansas City, who beat Colombia on penalties in Vancouver after a goalless draw.
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The Swiss, who’re into the last eight for the primary time since they hosted the tournament in 1954, are an organised outfit and can likely be tough to interrupt down.