Morocco are unbeaten in 34 matches
Spain have kept clean sheets in all five World Cup outings
Both teams have scored in all five of Norway’s World Cup fixtures
The quarter-final line-up for the 2026 World Cup has been confirmed and there is a strong European representation with six of the final eight teams hailing from that continent.
A repeat of the 2022 final in Qatar is still on the cards as holders Argentina square-up against Switzerland and France meet Morocco, but England and Spain will have high hopes of spoiling the party.
England face Erling Haaland’s Norway while Spain, still yet to concede a goal, take on Belgium following their 4-1 rout of co-hosts United States.
France vs Morocco (Thursday, 9pm)
France have soared to the head of the World Cup betting after winning all five of their matches and producing some devastating attacking displays along the way, headlined by a 4-1 beating of Norway and a 3-0 success over Sweden.
However, Les Bleus were made to work hard in their last-16 tie with Paraguay, edging to a 1-0 win thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s penalty, and they are not sure to have things all their own way against Morocco.
The African nation were shock semi-finalists in Qatar four years ago but they have continued to improve and are deserving of their quarter-final berth after an easy 3-0 victory over Canada in the last round.
The Atlas Lions held Brazil to a 1-1 draw in the group stage before dumping out the Netherlands on penalties and they have the quality to frustrate the French on the back of their 34-game unbeaten run.
Score prediction: France 1-1 Morocco
Spain vs Belgium (Friday, 8pm)
Spain were held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde in their World Cup opener but they have stepped forward since then, winning their next four matches to nil.
La Roja scored a last-minute winner against Portugal in the last 16, having eased past Austria 3-0 in the previous round, and they are letting up very few goalscoring opportunities.
With teenage sensation Lamine Yamal coming to the boil, Spain should have too much quality for a Belgium side that had flattered to deceive before an emphatic 4-1 win over the USA.
The Red Devils were held to draws by Egypt and Iran in the group stage while they were 2-0 down after 86 minutes in their extra-time victory over Senegal in the round of 32.
Score prediction: Spain 2-0 Belgium
England vs Norway (Saturday, 10pm)
England showed their resilience as they ground out a 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the last 16, overcoming a raucous home crowd and dealing with playing with 10 men for over 40 minutes.
The Three Lions also conceded in their last-32 victory over DR Congo, coming from behind to win 2-1, while they were breached twice in beating Croatia in the group stages.
Norway, armed with the services of the prolific Erling Haaland, who scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Brazil in the last 16, deserve plenty of respect.
However, defensively the Norwegians look suspect and they have kept only one clean sheet in their last 12 matches, so expect Thomas Tuchel’s team to capitalise.
Score prediction: England 2-1 Norway
Argentina vs Switzerland (Sunday, 2am)
World Cup holders Argentina survived an almighty scare in the last 16 against Egypt, coming from two goals down to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Cristian Romero started the comeback in the 79th minute before Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez spared their blushes but Argentina also needed extra-time to see off Cape Verde in the round of 32 following a 2-2 draw.
That should offer hope for Switzerland, who overcame Colombia on penalties following a goalless draw in the last 16 and have lost only one of their last 19 internationals.
Score prediction: Argentina 1-1 Switzerland
