As the FIFA World Cup 2026 heats up, the remaining teams are shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle. With three-quarters of the quarter-finalists from Europe, the tournament is set to be a battle of the big guns. Here's a re-ranking of the top eight teams, taking into account their recent performances and the challenges they face in the upcoming rounds.
France: The Undisputed Favorites
France remains the clear favorite to win the tournament, and for good reason. Their attacking talent is simply unparalleled, with Kylian Mbappé hot on the heels of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race and Michael Olise leading the assists chart. However, their 1-0 win over Paraguay in the last 16 was a stark reminder that even the best teams can be nullified by a stubborn defense. The question is, can better opponents like Morocco in the quarter-finals take note and attempt to rattle Didier Deschamps's side?
Spain: A Team of Depth
Spain has been a force to be reckoned with, limiting their opposition to relatively few chances and producing a 1-0 win over Portugal thanks to Mikel Merino's 91st-minute winner. The curious thing about Spain is that their star player, Lamine Yamal, has not yet hit the heights we know he can. However, Ferran Torres' combination with fellow substitute Merino for the winning goal shows the strength in depth of a team that would become even more dangerous if Yamal steps it up a notch. They face Belgium in the quarter-finals, and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain their momentum.
Argentina: The Back-and-Forth Heroes
Argentina's knockout games have been back-and-forth humdingers, with their 2-0 win over Egypt coming after a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde. The Cape Verde game showed that Argentina could be susceptible to giving up leads, as they did against the Netherlands and France four years ago. However, their 3-2 comeback against Egypt demonstrated the strength of character and will to win that has kept them in the tournament. The question now is how much those two matches have taken out of them, as they face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Switzerland: The Underdogs
Switzerland has avoided one of the more fancied teams in the quarter-finals, keeping them above England in these rankings. Their 3-1 penalty shootout win over Colombia was a testament to their resilience and determination. However, they will face Argentina in the quarter-finals, and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain their momentum against a team that has been through the wringer.
Belgium: A Team in Transition
Belgium has been a team in transition, with a mix of experienced players and young talents. Their 2-0 win over Canada was a reminder of their potential, but their 1-0 loss to Morocco in the group stage showed that they are still a work in progress. They face Spain in the quarter-finals, and it will be interesting to see if they can find their footing against a team that is on a roll.
England: A Team in Disarray
England has been a team in disarray, with a mix of injuries and form issues. Their 2-1 win over Iran was a welcome boost, but their 0-0 draw with the USA showed that they are still struggling to find their footing. They face Switzerland in the quarter-finals, and it will be interesting to see if they can find their rhythm against a team that has been on a roll.
Morocco: A Team on the Rise
Morocco has been a team on the rise, with a mix of experienced players and young talents. Their 2-0 win over Canada was a testament to their potential, and their 1-0 win over Belgium in the group stage showed that they are a force to be reckoned with. They face France in the quarter-finals, and it will be interesting to see if they can continue their rise against a team that is the clear favorite to win the tournament.
Conclusion: A Battle of the Big Guns
The quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are set to be a battle of the big guns, with three-quarters of the remaining teams from Europe. France remains the clear favorite, but Spain, Argentina, and Switzerland are also in the mix. Belgium, England, and Morocco are also in the running, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. The tournament is set to be a thrilling spectacle, and the remaining teams are shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with.
