Predictions for the 2026 World Cup Quarterfinal Matches

Didier Deschamps' team strength lies not only in having stars like Kylian Mbappé, who stretches the defense with his speed, Michael Olise, who changes opponents' geometry, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who combines defense and attack initiation. Morocco, although possessing strong players such as Achraf Hakimi, Azzedine Ounahi, and Yassine Bounou, faces a serious problem: before the quarterfinals, they lost their main attacking force—24-year-old Ismaël Saïbi, who sustained an injury in the Round of 16 match against Canada. This loss makes the advantage obvious for France.

Argentina vs Switzerland

The prediction for the Argentina vs Switzerland match is 55/45. Argentina shows signs of revival, reminding observers of last year's champion team. Two difficult victories over Cape Verde and Egypt with scores of 3:2 confirmed the current champions' ability to cope with different circumstances.

During the match against Egypt, there were disputes regarding refereeing decisions, but experts note that the team does not solely depend on Lionel Messi's play. Captain's partners, such as Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, performed effectively. Switzerland reached the quarterfinals after 72 years thanks to excellent game organization under Granit Xhaka's leadership, the reliability of Manuel Akanji, and Gregor Kobel in goal. Nevertheless, the disciplined defense might falter when the South Americans accelerate the pace between lines, giving a slight advantage to Argentina.

England vs Norway

The England vs Norway pairing is considered the most intriguing, with a 50/50 prediction. England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, has found the necessary balance between attack and caution. Jude Bellingham has established himself as a leader, Bukayo Saka has shown reliability in both attack and defense, and Harry Kane remains a useful player regardless of scoring output.

Norway has become a notable discovery of the tournament. Despite a 1:4 defeat to France in the group stage, which was played with a reserve squad, the full team performed well against Brazil in the Round of 16. Erling Haaland continues to score, Martin Ødegaard coordinates attacks, and Antonio Nusa stands out as one of the bright young stars. England is capable of completely closing its goals, but Norway knows how to wait patiently and punish the slightest mistake. Because of this, the chances of advancing to the semi-finals are equal.

Spain vs Belgium

The prediction for the Spain vs Belgium match is 60/40. Spain aims to prove that ball control remains an effective strategy. Pedri and Rodri set the tempo, Lamine Yamal creates chances, and Mikel Oyarzabal complements the attacks. Goalkeeper Unai Simón also actively participates in building attacks with his feet.

Belgium has become an unexpected participant in the playoffs. The team, which seemed weak in the group stage, performed better in the match against the USA. Leandro Trossard attacked effectively, Charles De Ketelaere returned to expected levels, and Yuri Tymlens demonstrated danger in free zones. However, Spain appears more balanced because its play is based not just on ball possession, but on a clear understanding of objectives.