Match Predictions & Previews — Quarter-Finals
Predictions and pre-match analysis for every World Cup 2026 quarter-final — all eight R32 ties, all eight R16 ties, settled. Below: pre-match reads for the four QF matchups starting Thursday July 9. France vs Morocco opens at Gillette (4pm ET), Spain vs Belgium at SoFi Friday (3pm ET), England vs Norway and Argentina vs Switzerland close Saturday at Hard Rock and Arrowhead. Refreshed daily from live ESPN data, July 9 2026.
🏆 Round of 32 — Final Results
All seven remaining R32 ties are complete. Below: original pre-match analysis and the final result for every tie. Picks based on group-stage form, head-to-head history, and squad depth. Real fixtures from ESPN, refreshed daily.
🇺🇸 United States vs 🇧🇦 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Result: 2-0 USA ✅
FT · High confidence was right
USA cruise past Bosnia 2-0 in their first knockout game under Pochettino. Pulisic and Balogun combined for the goals as advertised. The hosts book an R16 date with Belgium at Lumen Field on July 6.
🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇦🇹 Austria
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Result: 3-0 Spain ✅
FT · High confidence was right
Spain cruise past Austria 3-0 with three different goalscorers — Yamal, Pedri, and Olmo all on the scoresheet. Rangnick's gegenpressing never got going. La Roja advance to a mouth-watering R16 clash with Portugal on July 6.
🇵🇹 Portugal vs 🇭🇷 Croatia
BMO Field, Toronto
Result: 2-1 Portugal ✅
FT · Medium confidence was right on winner
Portugal edge Croatia 2-1 in Toronto — Ronaldo's late penalty sealed it. Modrić's last World Cup game ends in defeat. Portugal set up an Iberian derby with Spain in the R16 on July 6.
🇨🇭 Switzerland vs 🇩🇿 Algeria
BC Place, Vancouver
Result: 2-0 Switzerland ✅
FT · Medium confidence was right on score
Switzerland brush Algeria aside 2-0 in Vancouver — Xhaka pulled the strings as expected. Swiss defensive organisation held firm. Switzerland await the winner of Egypt vs Australia in the R16.
🇦🇺 Australia vs 🇪🇬 Egypt
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Result: 1-1 AET · Egypt 4-2 pens ✅
FT · Egypt through · Medium confidence was right on winner
Egypt booked their R16 spot with a 4-2 penalty win over Australia after a 1-1 draw through extra time in Dallas. Salah converted. Switzerland up next — a real test of Egypt's giant-killing credentials.
🇦🇷 Argentina vs 🇨🇻 Cape Verde
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Result: 3-2 Argentina AET ✅
FT · High confidence was right on winner
Argentina survive a Cape Verde scare — 3-2 in extra time in Miami. Messi brace did the job, Álvarez added the third. Cape Verde exit with heads held high. Argentina face Colombia in the R16 in a South American derby.
🇨🇴 Colombia vs 🇬🇭 Ghana
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Result: 1-0 Colombia ✅
FT · Medium confidence was right on winner
Luis Díaz's goal sends Colombia through 1-0 in Kansas City. Ghana's pace caused problems but Colombia's quality in the final third was decisive. South American derby with Argentina in the R16 awaits.
⚡ Round of 16 — Final Results
All eight R16 matchups are now complete. Below: original pre-match picks alongside the final score for every tie. R16 day 1 (Jul 4) FINAL: Morocco 3-0 Canada (Houston), France 1-0 Paraguay (Philly). R16 day 2 (Jul 5) FINAL: Norway 2-1 Brazil (MetLife, Haaland brace 79'/90', Neymar pen 90'+10'), England 3-2 Mexico (Azteca, Bellingham brace 36'/38', Quiñones 42', Quansah red 54', Kane pen 60', Jiménez pen 69'). R16 day 3 (Jul 6) FINAL: Spain 1-0 Portugal (Arlington, Merino 90'+1' winner, Ronaldo exits in tears), USA 1-4 Belgium (Seattle, Pulisic injured). R16 day 4 (Jul 7) FINAL: Argentina 3-2 Egypt (Atlanta, Yasser Ibrahim 15', Mostafa Zico 67'; Romero 79', Messi 83' volley, E. Fernández 90'+2'), Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (Vancouver, Swiss win 4-3 on penalties — Kobel saves two). The eight winners are France, Morocco, Norway, England, Spain, Belgium, Argentina, Switzerland — and they form the four QF pairings below.
Jul 4, 2026
1:00 PM ET · FINAL
🇨🇦 Canada 0-3 🇲🇦 Morocco
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
❌ MISS — Pick was Canada 2-1
Confidence: Medium
Morocco dominated in Houston — En-Nesyri struck twice and Diaz added a third. Hakimi ran the show from right-back and Canada's home support couldn't lift them. The pre-match read (Hakimi vs Davies, both teams on the counter, Canada's home edge) over-rated Canada's ceiling: Morocco's knockout experience from Qatar 2022 showed. Atlas Lions through to face the Argentina-Egypt winner in the QF.
Jul 4, 2026
5:00 PM ET · FINAL
🇵🇾 Paraguay 0-1 🇫🇷 France
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Result: 1-0 France ✅ (winner right, score off)
FT · High confidence on the win was right
France grind out a 1-0 win over a stubborn Paraguay in Philly. The pre-match read (Mbappé, Olise, Cherki all firing; Paraguay's Cinderella run ends) was right on the winner — France advance — but the scoreboard told a tighter story than the 3-0 prediction. Mbappé (5 goals) leads the Golden Boot. France now await the Brazil-Norway winner in the QF on July 9.
Jul 5, 2026
4:00 PM ET · FINAL
🇧🇷 Brazil 1-2 🇳🇴 Norway
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
❌ MISS — Pick was Brazil 2-1
FT · High confidence was wrong on winner — Haaland shocks Brazil
Norway pulled off the upset of the tournament, beating Brazil 2-1 at MetLife. Haaland struck again to extend his Golden Boot lead as Norway's physicality and directness broke Brazil's midfield control. The pre-match read (Brazil -130 favourites, Casemiro/Guimarães to control possession) over-rated Brazil's ceiling in a knockout setting — Norway's counter-punching punished the Seleção. Norway book a QF date with the Spain-Portugal winner.
Jul 5, 2026
8:00 PM ET · FINAL
🇲🇽 Mexico 2-3 🏴 England
Estadio Banorte, Mexico City, Mexico
Result: 3-2 England ✅ (winner right, score off)
FT · Low confidence coin-flip — England held their nerve at altitude
England survived a hostile Azteca atmosphere, beating Mexico 3-2 in the R16. Jude Bellingham struck twice in the first half — a 36th-minute header and a second in the 38th — to put England 2-0 up inside 42 minutes before Julián Quiñones pulled one back with a volley. Jarell Quansah's 54th-minute red card changed the dynamic, but Harry Kane held his nerve from the penalty spot in the 60th to restore the two-goal cushion. Raúl Jiménez converted a Mexico penalty in the 69th to set up a tense finish; the cards (Sánchez, O'Reilly, Vásquez, Henderson) tell the rest of the story. The pre-match read (true coin-flip, slight edge to England on penalties, Azteca hostility, Kane vs Lozano) was right on the winner — Mexico pushed hard and made it a thriller. England now meet the Spain-Portugal winner in the QF.
Jul 6, 2026
3:00 PM ET · FINAL
🇵🇹 Portugal 0-1 🇪🇸 Spain
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Result: 1-0 Spain ✅ (winner right, score off)
FT · Merino 90'+1' · High confidence — La Roja squeeze through
Spain survived a cagey Iberian derby in Arlington, beating Portugal 1-0 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2010. Mikel Merino — just on as a substitute — headed in a 90'+1' winner from Lamine Yamal's cross to break Portuguese hearts in front of 70,649. The game looked destined for extra time until Merino's late intervention, with Bernardo Silva and Renato Veiga already booked for Portugal and Ferran Torres picking up a late yellow. Cristiano Ronaldo exits in tears at 41 — his sixth and final World Cup ends in the R16. The pre-match read (Spain -110 favourites, midfield depth and Yamal creativity) was right on the winner; the score was tighter than the pick, but La Roja's quality told in the end. Spain now meet England in the QF on July 10.
Jul 6, 2026
8:00 PM ET · FINAL
🇺🇸 USA 1-4 🇧🇪 Belgium
Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
❌ MISS — Pick was Belgium 2-1 (winner right, score off)
FT · High confidence on the winner was right, USA thrashed
Belgium thrashed the United States 4-1 in Seattle to set up a quarterfinal with Norway. The pre-match read (De Bruyne vs Pulisic, Balogun eligible, Belgium's midfield quality) was right on the winner — but the score flattered no one. Pulisic was forced off with an ankle injury in the second half, Pochettino would not commit to staying on, and the USMNT are out in the R16 for the second straight tournament. Belgium also trolled the USA on social media post-match, referencing the Balogun eligibility saga.
Jul 7, 2026
12:00 PM ET · FINAL
🇦🇷 Argentina 3-2 🇪🇬 Egypt
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Result: 3-2 Argentina ✅
FT · High confidence was right on winner, score off by one
Argentina survive a major scare in Atlanta to book a QF with Switzerland.
Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt in front in the 15th minute and Messi missed a first-half penalty — but the holders rallied in the second half. Cristian Romero (79') and
Messi's 83rd-minute volley turned it around before Enzo Fernández's 90'+2' header sealed it. Mostafa Zico (67') had briefly restored Egypt's lead at 2-1. Pre-match pick (Argentina 3-1, High) was right on the winner and within one goal of the final score — a true test of Argentina's title defence mettle. FT coverage on the
results page.
Jul 7, 2026
4:00 PM ET · FINAL
🇨🇭 Switzerland 0-0 🇨🇴 Colombia
BC Place, Vancouver, BC
Result: 0-0 AET · Switzerland 4-3 pens ✅
FT-Pens · High confidence on the winner was wrong — Swiss edge it on pens
Switzerland overcame a long-standing penalty-kick "curse" to eliminate Colombia in Vancouver, winning the shootout 4-3 after a goalless 120 minutes. Quintero, Campaz, and Luis Díaz scored for Colombia, but Gregor Kobel saved twice from the spot. Xhaka, Amdouni, Itten, and Vargas all converted for the Swiss. Pre-match pick (Colombia 2-1, High) was wrong on the winner — Switzerland's defensive organisation and Xhaka's midfield control held firm. The Swiss now face Argentina in Kansas City on Saturday night for a place in the semis.
All eight R16 ties are FINAL. Winners: France, Morocco, Norway, England, Spain, Belgium, Argentina, Switzerland. They form the four QF pairings. France vs Morocco (Jul 9, Foxborough) is the QF opener — Mbappé's five-goal Golden Boot charge against the Atlas Lions' Qatar-2022 pedigree. Spain vs Belgium (Jul 10, SoFi) is a rematch of Euro 2020's sharpest match. England vs Norway (Jul 11, Hard Rock) pits Bellingham-Kane-Foden against Haaland's juggernaut. Argentina vs Switzerland (Jul 12 01:00 UTC, Arrowhead) closes the QF slate — Messi vs Xhaka in a tie where the holders cannot underestimate a Swiss side that just broke their penalty curse. Pre-match picks and confidence ratings on each tie are below. See the live bracket on the homepage for the full picture.
🔥 Quarter-Finals — Predictions & Analysis
The R32 and R16 are complete. Below: pre-match picks and analysis for all four quarter-final matchups. Picks based on R16 form, head-to-head history, and squad depth. Real fixtures and kickoff times from ESPN, July 9 2026.
🇫🇷 France vs 🇲🇦 Morocco
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Pick: 2-1 France
Confidence: High
QF1 opener at Gillette. France are the bookmakers' favourites (Mbappé +110 outright) after a 1-0 grind past Paraguay, with Mbappé (5 goals) leading the Golden Boot. Major blow: FIFA rejected France's appeal to overturn Michael Olise's yellow card, so the winger is suspended for the QF. Morocco (+260) thrashed Canada 3-0 in the R16 — En-Nesyri has 4 tournament goals, Hakimi and Amrabat run the right side and midfield, but Saibari (injury) is out and Brahim Díaz carries the creative load after his AFCON final penalty miss. Deschamps has played down the Argentinian officials. The pre-match read: France's individual class and midfield depth (Kanté, Tchouaméni, Olise-out means Thuram or Dembélé start) edge it, but Morocco's tournament pedigree from Qatar 2022 means a cagey, low-scoring knockout game. Expect Mbappé and En-Nesyri on the scoresheet, with a late set-piece or counter deciding it.
🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇧🇪 Belgium
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Pick: 2-1 Spain
Confidence: Medium
QF2 at SoFi. Spain (-110) squeezed past Portugal 1-0 via Merino's 90'+1' winner; Belgium (+310) thrashed the USMNT 4-1 with De Ketelaere (2) and a clinical counter-attacking display. Courtois has publicly backed the underdogs to upset La Roja — his first official match against Spain. The pre-match read: Pedri and Yamal vs De Bruyne and Doku is the midfield battle that decides this one. Spain's pressing and possession will be tested by Belgium's vertical passing — this is a coin-flip with a slight edge to Spain if they can control the half-spaces. Merino and Lukaku (if fit) the likely goalscorers.
🏴 England vs 🇳🇴 Norway
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Pick: 2-2 AET · England 5-4 pens
Confidence: Medium
QF3 at Hard Rock — a blockbuster. England beat Mexico 3-2 at Azteca in the R16 (Bellingham brace, Kane pen) and are now 7/1 third favourites. Norway (+260) are the tournament's dark horse after Haaland's 2-goal dismantling of Brazil at MetLife. The pre-match read: Haaland vs the England centre-backs is the most-watched individual duel of the tournament, and Bellingham vs Ødegaard the second. Both teams have a penalty-shootout pedigree, but England's depth (Saka, Foden, Watkins off the bench) and Kane's dead-ball quality give them the slight edge in extra time.
Jul 12, 2026
9:00 PM ET · 01:00 UTC Jul 12
🇦🇷 Argentina vs 🇨🇭 Switzerland
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Pick: 2-1 Argentina
Confidence: Low
QF4 closes the slate at Arrowhead. Argentina (-150) are the holders with Messi on a 7-goal Golden Boot charge after the 3-2 escape against Egypt. Switzerland (+450) are the lowest-remaining seed but the hottest team of the last week — unbeaten in 270 minutes since conceding to Austria in the group stage, and they just broke a famous penalty curse. The pre-match read: Xhaka vs Mac Allister / E. Fernández is the midfield battle, and Amdouni/Vargas vs Romero/Lisandro the front-line duel. Argentina's individual class and the holders' extra-time experience should tip it, but Switzerland's defensive organisation means a one-goal game — Low confidence reflects the genuine chance of another Swiss upset.
📊 Tournament Outlook — Title Favourites
After the R32 and R16, here's how the title race looks at the quarter-final stage. Eight teams remain; QFs open Thursday at Gillette. The data below reflects current form, not pre-tournament odds.
🇫🇷 France
Title odds: 4/1
Mbappé (5 goals) leading the Golden Boot race. France ground out a 1-0 win over Paraguay in the R16 after dispatching Sweden 3-0 in the R32. QF vs Morocco (Jul 9, 4pm ET, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough). The 2018 winners look like the team to beat — deepest squad in the tournament — but Michael Olise is suspended (FIFA rejected France's appeal). France's midfield depth (Kanté, Tchouaméni, with Thuram or Dembélé stepping in) and Mbappé's quality in transition should still edge the cagey Foxborough tie.
France team page →
🇦🇷 Argentina
Title odds: 5/1
Defending champions. Messi (7 goals, joint Golden Boot leader with Mbappé), Álvarez, Mac Allister, and a defence that concedes rarely. Argentina scraped past Egypt 3-2 in the R16 after trailing 1-0 at the break — defensive vulnerability exposed. QF vs Switzerland (Jul 12, 9pm ET, Arrowhead, Kansas City). The holders cannot underestimate a Swiss side that just broke their penalty curse. Xhaka vs Mac Allister / E. Fernández is the midfield battle that decides it.
Argentina team page →
🇧🇷 Brazil
Title odds: ELIMINATED
Out in the R16 — beaten 2-1 by Norway at MetLife, a major upset. Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo couldn't break down Norway's low block. Brazil's R16 curse continues at the second straight major tournament.
Brazil team page →
🏴 England
Title odds: 7/1
Beat Mexico 3-2 in a thriller at Azteca (Bellingham brace 36'/38', Kane pen 60', Quiñones and Jiménez replied; Quansah red 54'). Now face Norway in the QF on July 11 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami — the most-anticipated match of the QFs. Haaland vs Bellingham/Ødegaard is the individual duel of the tournament. Kane, Saka, Foden, and Watkins off the bench give England squad depth; the holders-of-the-past should squeeze through.
England team page →
🇪🇸 Spain
Title odds: 8/1
Yamal and Pedri. La Roja squeezed past Portugal 1-0 in the R16 via Merino's 90'+1' winner — a tight, cagey Iberian derby. Now face Belgium in the QF on July 10 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood. De Bruyne and Doku are the Belgian threats; Courtois has publicly backed the underdogs to pull off the upset. Spain's pressing and Yamal creativity should tip a coin-flip tie. La Roja look one step further in their development cycle after Euro 2024.
Spain team page →
🇵🇹 Portugal
Title odds: ELIMINATED
Out in the R16 — beaten 1-0 by Spain in the Iberian derby (Merino 90'+1' winner). Cristiano Ronaldo exits in tears at 41, his sixth and final World Cup ending in the R16 for the second time. Bernardo Silva and Renato Veiga were booked; the Seleção couldn't break down La Roja's back line.
Portugal team page →
🇳🇴 Norway
Title odds: 16/1
Dark horse of the tournament. Haaland has powered Norway past the R32 (2-1 win over Ivory Coast) and then shocked Brazil 2-1 in the R16 (Haaland brace 79'/90', Neymar pen 90'+10'). QF vs England on July 11 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami — the most-anticipated match of the QFs and a genuine shot at the semis. Norway's physicality, directness, and Haaland broke Brazil's midfield control; England's centre-backs will be the toughest test of the tournament for Haaland.
Norway team page →
🇲🇦 Morocco
Title odds: 14/1
The Atlas Lions are the form team of the R16. Morocco beat Canada 3-0 in Houston (En-Nesyri brace, Diaz) to extend an unbeaten knockout run dating to Qatar 2022. QF vs France (Jul 9, 4pm ET, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough) — the toughest possible draw. Hakimi and Amrabat will be tasked with containing Mbappé. Saibari is out injured; En-Nesyri (4 goals) leads the line and Brahim Díaz carries the creative load. If Morocco can keep it tight and force Mbappé to come deep, the upset is on. Quarter-final pedigree from 2022 is the differentiator.
Morocco team page →
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Title odds: 25/1
Lowest seed of the QFs but the form team of the last week. Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 in the R32 (Xhaka masterclass), then broke their famous penalty curse to oust Colombia 4-3 in the shootout in Vancouver after a goalless 120 minutes. QF vs Argentina (Jul 12, 9pm ET, Arrowhead, Kansas City). Kobel, Xhaka, Amdouni, and Vargas are a coherent unit. Manzambi and Vargas have 3 goals each. The QF against the holders is the biggest game in Swiss football since Euro 2020.
Switzerland team page →
Sports betting: mostbet.cc