8 Jul 2026 | Sportsbetting
2026 World Cup Matchday Predictions – Quaterfinals
The World Cup quarter-finals are here: Which teams will make it to the next round, and who will be left sweating? Our matchday prediction delivers exciting World Cup tips!
approx. 3 min.
2026 World Cup Matchday Predictions – Quaterfinals
Only eight teams remain in the race for the 2026 World Cup title! Record champions Brazil were sensationally knocked out by Norway, while all three host nations (USA, Mexico, and Canada) were eliminated in the knockout stage. Norway has reached a World Cup quarter-final for the first time ever, while Switzerland has done so for the first time since 1954. Defending champions Argentina, runners-up France, and European champions Spain are also still in contention, with Spain yet to concede a goal in the tournament. In the race for the Golden Boot, Lionel Messi leads ahead of Mbappé, Haaland, and Kane. Who will book a place in the semi-finals?
World Cup Tips for the Quarter-Finals: Quick Predictions at a Glance
Merkur World Cup Tips: The Quarter-Final Highlights
Four years after their legendary semi-final clash at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, France and Morocco meet again on the World Cup stage in the quarter-finals. Back then, France ended the Atlas Lions’ historic fairy-tale run with a 2–0 victory.
France has marched into the quarter-finals unbeaten. However, Didier Deschamps’ side struggled in the Round of 16 against an extremely aggressive Paraguay team. Kylian Mbappé converted a controversial penalty in the 70th minute for a 1–0 win—his seventh goal of the tournament. Concern surrounds Aurélien Tchouaméni, who missed the previous match with a thigh injury and may also be unavailable against Morocco.
Morocco, meanwhile, has established itself as one of the tournament’s most resilient teams. Following two convincing knockout-stage performances, Mohamed Ouahbi’s squad also remains unbeaten. For the second consecutive World Cup (2022 and 2026), the Atlas Lions entered the knockout phase without a defeat—a feat no other African nation has achieved. However, Bayern Munich signing Ismael Saibari is likely to miss the match through injury. Right-back Achraf Hakimi remains the key player and faces the enormous challenge of containing Mbappé.
Prediction: France is aiming for its third consecutive World Cup semi-final after lifting the trophy in 2018 and finishing runners-up in 2022. On paper, the vice world champions possess greater individual quality. Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise form a devastating attacking force that few teams in world football can match. Morocco will fight relentlessly and remain difficult to break down defensively, but France’s superior quality should ultimately secure a place in the semi-finals.
When Norway and England meet in Miami on Saturday in the World Cup quarter-finals, the football world’s attention will be focused on two players: Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. Many see this match as a showdown between two elite strikers, with the better performer likely to propel his team into the semi-finals.
Norway has reached a World Cup quarter-final for the first time in its history. Ståle Solbakken’s side returned to the World Cup after a 28-year absence and produced one of the tournament’s biggest shocks in the Round of 16 against record champions Brazil. Haaland scored both goals in the 2–1 win, while goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland saved a penalty. Interestingly, Norway also defeated defending champions Brazil 2–1 at the 1998 World Cup.
England, meanwhile, battled to a memorable 3–2 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16 at the Azteca Stadium. Jude Bellingham scored twice within two minutes (36th and 38th minute), while Harry Kane converted a penalty following Jarell Quansah’s red card to make it 3–1. Head coach Thomas Tuchel switched to a five-man defense after the dismissal and successfully saw out the victory.
Prediction: Norway has momentum on its side and boasts a world-class striker in Haaland. England, however, brings tournament experience and two exceptional players in Bellingham and Kane. This match could easily require extra time to determine a winner, and even then the outcome remains completely open.
