By STEPHEN WHYNO, Associated Press
As the excitement builds, the World Cup has narrowed down to just eight teams, with the quarterfinals showcasing the top four countries from FIFA’s pre-tournament men’s world rankings, alongside two additional teams from the top 10. This stage of the tournament promises thrilling matchups and high stakes as teams vie for a coveted spot in the semifinals.
France emerges as a formidable contender, currently the betting favorite at just under 2-1 odds. Following closely are Spain and the defending champions, Argentina, both at 7-2, with England at 9-2. Norway stands at 14-1, while Belgium, Switzerland, and Morocco are seen as underdogs at 28-1. The anticipation is palpable as fans gear up for the matches, all of which will be broadcast in the U.S. on Fox and Peacock in English, and on Telemundo in Spanish.
France vs. Morocco
When: Thursday, 4 p.m. EDT
Where: Foxborough, Massachusetts
France has showcased its dominance throughout the tournament, outscoring opponents 10-2 in group play. Their impressive performance included a 3-0 victory over Sweden in the knockout stage, and Kylian Mbappé’s 19th career World Cup goal helped secure a hard-fought 1-0 win against Paraguay. On the other hand, Morocco has made a remarkable journey to the quarterfinals, tying Brazil in their opener, eliminating the Netherlands on penalties, and bouncing back to defeat co-host Canada. While Morocco’s resilience is commendable, France is favored to advance in this matchup.
Spain vs. Belgium
When: Friday, 3 p.m. EDT
Where: Inglewood, California
Spain’s path to the quarterfinals has been anything but straightforward. A surprising draw against Cape Verde set the stage for a series of tightly contested matches. They managed to eliminate Uruguay 1-0 and cruised past Austria 3-0 in the round of 32. A dramatic stoppage-time goal from Mikel Merino secured their place by defeating Portugal. Belgium, known for its tenacity, rallied from a two-goal deficit against Senegal to win and later overwhelmed the U.S. in Seattle. Spain enters this clash as the favorite, but Belgium’s fighting spirit could make for an exciting encounter.
Norway vs. England
When: Saturday, 5 p.m. EDT
Where: Miami Gardens, Florida
Norway’s underdog story has captured the hearts of fans worldwide, with Erling Haaland leading the charge. The team has embraced the Viking Row celebration, creating a festive atmosphere both in the U.S. and back home. Haaland’s impressive scoring, including two goals to upset five-time champions Brazil, has propelled Norway into the quarterfinals for the first time. England, meanwhile, faced a raucous crowd in a thrilling round-of-16 match against Mexico, emerging victorious despite losing veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson to injury. England is a slight favorite, but Norway’s momentum could lead to an unexpected outcome.
Argentina vs. Switzerland
When: Saturday, 9 p.m. EDT
Where: Kansas City, Missouri
Leading the charge for Argentina is Lionel Messi, who has already netted eight goals this year and set a World Cup record with 21 career goals. His latest heroics included a stunning comeback from a 2-0 deficit against Egypt, culminating in a 3-2 victory. Switzerland, on the other hand, has relied heavily on a defensive strategy, scoring just nine goals in five matches. Their journey to the quarterfinals included a tense penalty shootout victory over Colombia. With Argentina favored to win, the clash promises to be a showcase of contrasting styles.
What’s next
The winners of the France-Morocco and Spain-Belgium matches will face off in the first semifinal on Tuesday, July 14, at 3 p.m. EDT in Arlington, Texas. Meanwhile, the victors of the Norway-England and Argentina-Switzerland matchups will meet in the other semifinal on Wednesday, July 15, in Atlanta, also at 3 p.m. The grand finale is set for Sunday, July 19, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the champions will be crowned.
