The World Cup quarter-final stage is where the games start to get truly intense, as teams are only two games away from reaching the final. With only eight teams left, this stage produces some of the most tactical and closely contested matches.
If you plan to bet on these games, preparation is more important than ever. That’s why we’ve written this World Cup quarter final betting guide to cover all four matches. Discover the exact kickoff times in the UK along with performance trends for the teams. You'll also find all other key quarter final stats and every betting angle that matters, helping you make informed decisions.
By Jon Fisher, Sports WriterLast updated: 8 July 2026, 12:46PM
Now that all the round-of-16 matches have been played, the quarterfinal matchups are next. For a comparison of the best World Cup betting sites to use across the quarter-finals, see our main guide.
Here are the confirmed schedules for all the matches.
For the full breakdown of UK kick-off times, venues, and where to watch, see our World Cup quarter-final schedule page.
Although matches at this stage of the World Cup can be unpredictable, using data helps you build a clearer picture before placing a bet. Here are the key quarter final stats for each contest to show you exactly where each team stands.
France head into this encounter with one of the strongest attacking records, having scored 14 goals and conceded only twice. Morocco has equally been impressive in this tournament, scoring 10 and conceding 4.
In terms of cards, France has accrued 4 yellow cards, while Morocco has 6 so far. However, neither side has received a red card. Regarding injuries, the only concern for Les Bleus is Aurelien Tchouameni. The midfielder picked up an injury in training, which kept him out of the team’s 1-0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16.
The major injury concerns for the Atlas Lions are Chadi Riad and Ismael Saibari. Riad missed the entire round-of-16 match against Canada after picking up an injury against the Netherlands in the round of 32, while the team's top scorer, Saibari, played only 22 minutes against Canada before being replaced. Both still remain in doubt for the France game, with Redouane Halhal and Soufiane Rahimi the likely replacements.
Historically, France has dominated the head-to-head record between the two sides. Morocco has never beaten the two-time world champion in regulation time, with their only win coming in an exhibition cup game in 1998, where they won on penalties. In recent times, the two nations met in the 2022 World Cup semifinals, with the Didier Deschamps-led side winning 2-0. Despite France's ruthless attack, Morocco's disciplined defensive structure isn't easily pushed aside. That quality has seen them frustrate the likes of Canada, Brazil and the Netherlands.
Spain heads into the quarter-final with the strongest defensive record of the tournament so far. They've kept a clean sheet in all their matches while scoring a total of 9 goals. Belgium, on the other hand, have been more open, scoring 13 goals and conceding 5 across their route to the last eight, including a 4-1 win over co-host USA in the round of 16.
Discipline has not been a major concern for Spain, with only 3 yellow cards. However, the Red Devils have received 4 yellow cards and 1 red card so far. The Red Devils will have to go into this tie without Amadou Onana, who has been ruled out for the rest of the World Cup due to an ACL injury against the USA. On the other hand, La Roja’s main concern will be Nico Williams, although his absence hasn't hurt them so far.
While these two nations have met a couple of times, the head-to-head record favours Spain with 6 wins and a draw from 7 matches. Their most recent encounter was a 2-0 win for the 2010 World Cup champions in a friendly match dating back to 2016.
Norway have deservedly earned their place in the quarter-final after a statement 2-1 victory over Brazil. With 12 goals so far in the tournament, they are undoubtedly one of the best attacking teams. However, they will have to improve defensively, having conceded 9 goals, 4 of which came in the 4-1 loss to France. While they rested most of their starters in this game, they conceded at least one goal in the other matches. On the other hand, England have also shown that they're a worthy quarter-final candidate, having scored 11 goals so far. However, they've only conceded 5.
Discipline-wise, the Vikings have accrued only two yellow cards, compared to England's 7. The Three Lions have also received 1 red card, courtesy of Jarell Quansah against Mexico, which rules him out of the Norway game. Another major doubt is Reece James, who has missed England’s last three games due to a hamstring injury. However, he could return against Norway or come off the bench depending on the doctor's go-ahead.
For the Ståle Solbakken-led side, there are currently no injury concerns heading into the quarter-final game. However, left-back David Moller Wolfe reportedly suffered an injury scare that saw him replaced in the 90th minute against Brazil.
England holds a historical advantage heading into this encounter, having remained unbeaten in their last two matchups. It will be the nations' first-ever meeting in a major tournament, with Erling Haaland and Harry Kane going head-to-head in a massive battle for the World Cup Golden Boot. Our Golden Boot betting guide covers how the top scorer market works and what factors to consider when the leading candidates are this closely matched.
Argentina enter the quarter-final with one of the strongest attacking records, having scored 14 goals and conceded 5. Their attacking threat has been led by Lionel Messi, who has 8 goals after scoring in the round-of-16 comeback win over Egypt. Switzerland, on the other hand, have scored 9 and conceded just 3 so far, highlighting their defensive organisation. This approach was crucial to their round-of-16 victory over Colombia after a goalless 120-minute game.
Neither side has received a red card so far in the tournament, but Switzerland has recorded 6 yellow cards compared to Argentina’s 3. Going into this tie, Nati is carrying the heavier injury toll, with the team's breakout youngster Striker Johan Mazambi the major knee-injury blow that kept him out of the team’s victory over Colombia. The 20-year-old has recorded 3 goals and 2 assists so far, and there's no doubt that Murat Yakin will miss him if he remains unavailable. La Albiceleste, on the other hand, looks in reasonable shape for the tie.
Argentina dominates the head-to-head record for this matchup and has yet to lose against Switzerland. However, given Switzerland's form so far in the competition, where they have yet to lose a game, the encounter will be one for the books.
The quarter-finals often provide more competitive contests than the earlier rounds. (our World Cup knockout stage betting guide covers settlement rules, extra time markets, and the key betting considerations that apply from this stage onwards) Therefore, you must look beyond the match winner market. By using team form, scoring trends and defensive record, you can better identify markets that reflect how a game is likely to unfold rather than relying on reputation alone and if the outright winner market is still open at this stage of the tournament, our World Cup outright winner betting guide explains how ante-post odds shift as teams advance. Here are the markets that could suit your approach.
This is the most straightforward option, but it's usually most effective when supported by recent performances and head-to-head records. If a team has consistently controlled games or created more chances throughout the tournament, backing them could be a good call. For instance, Argentina's head-to-head record strengthens the case for backing them to win against Switzerland.
The BTTS market is useful when both sides have shown attacking consistency. However, teams with strong defensive records or multiple clean sheets may not deliver this option. For instance, Norway has scored and conceded in their last five games, while England has scored 11 and conceded 5 so far in the tournament. The BTTS market could be an excellent option for the quarterfinal tie.
The over/under market is suitable when you know the average goals scored and conceded by each team. It will help you decide whether a high-scoring or low-scoring game is likely. For instance, Spain averages 1.8 goals per match, while Belgium averages 2.6, highlighting the attacking quality of both teams and making the “over” bet a suitable option.
The correct score market is a higher-risk option. You need a more detailed analysis of recent results, defensive strength and scoring patterns to use this option.
As the quarter-final approaches, betting odds tend to shift from their initial levels — and once fixtures are underway, those movements accelerate rapidly. Our in-play betting guide explains how live World Cup odds work and which markets shift fastest during a match. Therefore, you must assess each team's chances using several factors. Team news usually has the biggest impact, particularly if the top player in a squad is ruled out or declared fit after an injury concern. Even a single change in a team selection can affect quarter final results, goals and the general betting markets.
Suspensions can have a similar impact, especially when they force a manager to alter a preferred starting lineup or replace a key player. For instance, a red card in the previous round or an accumulation of yellow cards across the round of 32 and the round of 16 can reshape expectations.
A team's recent form also plays a significant role. For instance, teams that have consistently created chances, have a good defensive record or have built momentum throughout the knockout stage often have their odds shortened. Inconsistent performances, on the other hand, can lengthen a team's odds. Ultimately, you must ensure to check the latest squad news, injury and form updates and any other developments before betting.
As you prepare to wager on the quarter-final matches, ensure you see betting as entertainment, not a way to make money. You can set strict restrictions using deposit limits and loss limits. Furthermore, you can opt in to self-exclusion via GamStop to ban yourself from betting on UK betting sites. You may also reach out to organisations such as BeGambleAware for advice to help you manage your gambling.
FAQs: World Cup Quarter-Final Betting Guide