Quarterfinal Landscape
The World Cup quarterfinal stage is now set, with eight nations vying for a place in the semifinals. Top‑ranked countries such as France, Spain, Argentina and England lead the draw, while Norway, Belgium, Switzerland and Morocco complete the lineup.
Betting markets have positioned France as the clear favorite, sitting just under 2‑1 odds, while Spain, the reigning champion Argentina and England follow at 7‑2, 7‑2 and 9‑2 respectively. These odds reflect France's dominant group performance, where they outscored opponents 10‑2.
Among the dark‑horse stories, Norway has captured attention after Erling Haaland’s side upset Brazil to reach the quarterfinals for the first time, a feat that has turned the team into an unexpected narrative.
England, despite being a slight favorite against Norway, will have to navigate the loss of midfielder Jordan Henderson, who suffered a wrist injury that could affect their tactics.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, enters its match against Switzerland, a team that advanced through penalty kicks, adding a layer of intrigue to the encounter.
The schedule for the latter stages is locked in, with the semifinals slated for July 14 and 15, and the final set for July 19, giving fans a compact but intense finish.
All of these matches will be available to U.S. viewers on Fox and Peacock in English, while Telemundo will provide Spanish coverage, ensuring broad access across the country.