2026 World Cup: Top 8 Teams Set for Quarter‑Finals

Quarter‑Finals Qualified: The Final Eight

Eight nations have secured spots in the last‑eight after a dramatic knockout round that saw two heavyweight contenders go home. Brazil fell to Norway’s Erling Haaland, while Portugal were dumped out by Spain. The three co‑hosts also exited: Canada, Mexico and the USA were all eliminated, the latter amid the Folarin Balogun suspension controversy. England produced a historic win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, and France squeezed past a dirty Paraguay side. Argentina and Spain both required stoppage‑time winners to progress.

Power Rankings: Who Leads the Pack

• 1. France 🇫🇷

  France are the team to beat at this tournament, powered by Kylian Mbappé’s relentless attacking. They netted ten goals in the group stage and added three more in a clean‑sheet win over Sweden. A 1‑0 victory over Paraguay came despite the South American side’s ill‑disciplined tactics. Mbappé’s penalty lifted his World Cup tally to 19 goals, smashing the previous record.

• 2. Spain 🇪🇸

  Spain entered as favourites but stumbled with a 0‑0 draw against Cape Verde, shaking early confidence. A thrashing of Saudi Arabia and a fiery win over Uruguay lifted them into the top spot of their group. In the knockout stage they brushed aside Austria with a 3‑0 win before dumping Portugal out on a last‑gasp Mikel Merino strike. The victory over Portugal marked a dramatic comeback for the Spaniards.

• 3. England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮

  England revived a fading World Cup dream with a gritty victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, a fortress that had resisted away winners for years. Jude Bellingham’s brace in the opening minute gave them control, but the Three Lions survived a second‑half surge that saw two penalties exchanged and a red card for Jarell Quansah. After a tense finish that stretched into stoppage time, England secured the upset and sent Mexico packing. The win reignited optimism for the English squad as they face Norway next.

• 4. Argentina 🇦🇷

  Argentina remain a Messi‑driven force, but their knockout run has been plagued by controversy. A hard‑fought extra‑time win over Cape Verde kept the holders in contention, yet the side faced scrutiny over refereeing decisions in a narrow escape against Egypt. An early disallowed goal for Egypt and a missed penalty for Mohamed Salah left Argentina hanging by a thread before a stoppage‑time strike secured progression. The uneasy victory reflects the challenges the holders will need to overcome in the latter stages.

• 5. Morocco 🇲🇦

  Morocco, the Afcon champions, made history by becoming the first team to eliminate a host nation. A memorable draw with Brazil highlighted their quality, while a penalty shoot‑out triumph over the Netherlands showcased their resilience. A dominant win over Canada sealed their place in the quarter‑finals, underscoring the-team’s belief that their 2022 semi‑final run was no fluke. The Atlas Lions are now firmly on a trajectory that could surprise the football world.

• 6. Norway 🇳🇴

  Norway’s return to the World Cup after a 28‑year absence has been energized by Erling Haaland’s lethal form. The Norwegian striker scored both goals in a 2‑0 upset of five‑time champions Brazil, propelling his country into the quarter‑finals. Haaland’s World Cup tally now places him among the elite alongside Messi and Mbappé in the golden boot race. The surprise victory signals that Norway can compete with the tournament’s elite and may pose a tough test for England next.

• 7. Belgium 🇧🇪

  Belgium rode a wave of controversy to advance, after Fifa’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red‑card ban sparked global debate. A call from U.S. President Donald Trump to Gianni Infantino added fuel, and the Belgian side responded with a 4‑1 demolition of the host USA. The win, celebrated with a cheeky social‑media post mocking the President, showed the team’s heightened motivation. Facing Spain in the next round, Belgium will need to repeat the intensity that carried them past the Americans.

• 8. Switzerland 🇨🇭

  Switzerland made history by reaching the quarter‑finals for the first time since 1954, edging past Colombia on penalties after a goalless draw. The Swiss broke a long‑standing curse that had seen them exit in the last‑16 on five previous occasions. Their disciplined performance set up a meeting with holders Argentina, where the whole football community expects a tight contest. The breakthrough moment caps a remarkable resurgence for the Alpine side.

Teams Eliminated: Full List

• Colombia
• Egypt
• USA
• Portugal
• Mexico
• Brazil
• Paraguay
• Canada
• Ghana
• Cape Verde
• Australia
• Algeria
• Croatia
• Austria
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Senegal
• DR Congo
• Ecuador
• Sweden
• Ivory Coast
• Netherlands
• Germany
• Japan
• South Africa
• Czech Republic
• Qatar
• Haiti
• Turkey
• Curacao
• Tunisia
• New Zealand
• Uruguay
• Saudi Arabia
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Panama
• Scotland
• South Korea
• Iran

The remaining eight nations now prepare for the quarter‑finals, where each match promises to be a defining moment in this edition of the 2026 World Cup.