The expanded 2026 World Cup has already delivered memorable moments, and the quarter-finals promise to raise the stakes even further. Six European nations, one African side, and one South American team will fight for a place in the last four across four matches beginning on Thursday.

France v Morocco — Atlanta Stadium, Thursday 21:00 BST

This is a rematch of their 2022 semi-final in Qatar, but make no mistake: Morocco are a different proposition entirely. At this tournament, they have operated with dynamism and confidence, and against Canada they lined up with only four players who featured in that semi-final defeat four years ago.

The Africa Cup of Nations champions — pending the outcome of Senegal's appeal over January's controversial final — are no longer a romantic underdog story. They are a genuine contender.

For France, similarly, only three players from the Qatar semi-final started the win over Paraguay. Didier Deschamps has refreshed his squad, with centre-back William Saliba and attacking talent Michael Olise among the new faces driving the team forward.

Kylian Mbappe remains the focal point, chasing both the Golden Boot and the record for most goals in World Cup history, where he trails Argentina's Lionel Messi.

Key stats: Half of France's World Cup defeats this century have come against African teams — three of six. Morocco are unbeaten in 34 matches but have never beaten France, who have won seven consecutive games and 11 of their past 12.

Spain v Belgium — Los Angeles Stadium, Friday 20:00 BST

Belgium arrive boasting 13 goals at this World Cup — the third-highest tally behind Argentina and France's 14. Romelu Lukaku has netted three times as a substitute, averaging one goal every 67 minutes, while Arsenal's Leandro Trossard has contributed two goals and two assists.

Spain, however, represent a formidable barrier. They have not conceded a single goal at this tournament, with six consecutive clean sheets — including their final group game at the 2022 World Cup — the longest such run in the competition's history. Their expected goals against average of 0.3 per match is the lowest recorded since 1966.

Key stats: Under Luis de la Fuente, Spain have won all six of their knockout matches at World Cups and European Championships. Spain are unbeaten in 11 meetings against Belgium, though Belgium did beat them on penalties in the Mexico '86 quarter-finals.

Norway v England — Miami Stadium, Saturday 22:00 BST

Erling Haaland has been a force of nature at this World Cup, scoring seven goals in four games — including a brace that eliminated five-time champions Brazil in the round of 16. The Manchester City striker averages a goal every 71 minutes for Norway and has now scored in 14 consecutive international appearances, with 27 goals in that run.

Standing in his way is England captain Harry Kane, just one goal behind Haaland in the Golden Boot race. The Bayern Munich forward, 32, scored more goals for club and country — 73 — than any other player in European football in 2025-26. With 14 World Cup goals to his name, Kane is already England's all-time leading scorer at the tournament.

Key stats: England are appearing in their 11th World Cup quarter-final, the third-most in history behind Brazil and Germany, who have each reached 14. Norway, by contrast, are making their first quarter-final appearance at any major tournament, having qualified for just four World Cups in their history. Only West Germany in 1954 reached a World Cup semi-final after scoring and conceding in every match of their campaign.

Argentina v Switzerland — Kansas City Stadium, Sunday 02:00 BST

Argentina have been clear favourites in each of their last three knockout matches, yet their route to the quarter-finals has been anything but straightforward. They were pushed to extra time by Cape Verde in the round of 32 before producing the greatest late comeback in World Cup history in the next round — a result that left Egypt furious and alleging injustice.

Switzerland, guided by Hakan Yakin, have proved difficult opponents throughout the tournament. Their squad includes 20-year-old Johan Mazambi — a genuine match-winner — though he missed their penalty shootout victory over Colombia through injury. This is Switzerland's first quarter-final since 1954.

Lionel Messi, meanwhile, became the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties at the same tournament — though a subsequent goal moved him ahead of Mbappe in the Golden Boot standings with eight.