From 48, we’re down to eight. The quarter-finals arrive with four ties that feel evenly matched, each carrying its own storyline. Here’s the clean, accurate, team-by-team guide to France vs Morocco, Spain vs Belgium, Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland.

France’s route to the quarter-finals

France breezed through a brutal group containing Senegal, Morocco and Norway, winning all three. A 3-0 dismissal of Sweden in the round of 32 reinforced their status, though the last‑16 win over Paraguay was hard work due to them being the worst team to play a World Cup match.

Best player so far: Kylian Mbappe has parked a turbulent Real Madrid season and lit up this World Cup with eight goals. He now has 20 in 20 World Cup games, pushing towards the all‑time record. He’s the only hope to defeat the FIFA and VARrgentina clique

Gem to watch: Manu Kone has started three of France’s last four matches, including the Paraguay win. The Roma midfielder has been one of the breakout performers: strong, composed under pressure, and able to carry the ball into difficult areas.

Strength: That front four. Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele are all in top form, with Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola competing for the final slot. It’s a fluid, well‑balanced attack.

Weakness: France’s forward line is vulnerable to setbacks. Olise and Barcola are one booking away from missing a semi-final. Losing either would force a rethink in the forward line.

Morocco’s route to the quarter-finals

Semi-finalists in 2022, Morocco have backed it up. They drew with Brazil, won their other group games, edged the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32 and produced their best all‑round display in a routine win over co-hosts Canada.

Best player so far: Achraf Hakimi, fresh off back‑to‑back Champions League titles with PSG, remains the standout. His attacking threat from right-back disrupts defensive structures and forces constant adjustments.

Gem to watch: Ayyoub Bouaddi, formerly a France U21 international, has emerged as a key midfield presence at just 18. Calm, technically sharp and tactically mature.

Strength: Morocco share goals and assists across the squad. Six different scorers in their first five games, with Ismael Saibari, Azzedine Ounahi, Diaz and Bilal El Khannouss offering high‑level experience. Chemsdine Talbi and Soufiane Rahimi add danger off the bench.

Weakness: Durability in big moments. Injuries derailed their last World Cup run, and top scorer Saibari went off injured after 20 minutes in their most recent match. His availability is uncertain.

Spain’s route to the quarter-finals

Spain opened with a flat 0-0 against Cape Verde but recovered to beat Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. They then produced a statement 3-0 win over Austria before Mikel Merino’s late goal beat Portugal.

Best player so far: Mikel Oyarzabal has four goals, but Pau Cubarsi has been the defensive anchor. The 19‑year‑old Barcelona centre-back has formed a reliable partnership with Aymeric Laporte and helped Spain keep a perfect defensive record.

Gem to watch: Lamine Yamal has worked back to sharpness after a thigh injury. He’s scored once and completed his first full 90 minutes against Portugal. More is expected.

Strength: Spain’s defence has been their biggest strength. They haven’t conceded, have the lowest xG against (1.49), and have faced only five shots on target.

Weakness: Spain’s lack of cutting edge is still a concern. Cape Verde showed how to frustrate them. Spain have underperformed their xG and have the lowest conversion rate among the quarter-finalists.

Belgium’s route to the quarter-finals

Belgium drew with Egypt and Iran before hammering New Zealand 5-1. They then staged a dramatic comeback against Senegal, scoring twice in the final minutes and winning in extra time. A 4-1 win over the USA followed.

Best player so far: Leandro Trossard has been Belgium’s standout. Two goals, two assists, and the most chances created of any player at the tournament. Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans have contributed, but Trossard has led.

Gem to watch: Charles De Ketelaere strengthened his case for a starting role with two goals and an assist against the USA. At 6ft 4in, left‑footed and strong aerially, he offers a different threat to Lukaku.

Strength: Belgium’s press. They’ve had 15 shots from high turnovers — almost double the next best — and scored four goals from them, the most of any team.

Weakness: Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku have not hit form. De Bruyne was an unused substitute against the USA; Doku has no goal involvements. Two major players have yet to influence the tournament.

Norway’s route to the quarter-finals

Norway have been the surprise entertainers. Wins over Iraq and Senegal secured early progression, allowing rotation against France. Victories over Ivory Coast and Brazil have taken them to their first World Cup quarter-final. Their ‘Row’ celebration has become a global talking point.

Best player so far: Erling Haaland has seven goals in four games. He can look anonymous for long stretches but then delivers decisive moments. If given space, he punishes teams.

Gem to watch: Antonio Nusa, 21, looks like a future star. His curling opener against Ivory Coast announced him fully. A tricky winger who can go both ways, he’s the exact threat England must plan for.

Strength: Norway respond well to breaks in play. They’ve scored three goals in the 10 minutes after hydration or half-time pauses. Manager Stale Solbakken uses those moments effectively.

Weakness: Defensive fragility leaves Norway exposed. Only four teams have conceded more xG. Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland was player of the match against Brazil for keeping the score down.

England’s route to the quarter-finals

England beat Croatia, drew with Ghana, then relied on Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to push past Panama, DR Congo and Mexico. None of the wins were dominant, but beating co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca has lifted confidence.

Best player so far: Kane and Bellingham share top billing. Kane has 73 goals for club and country this season; Bellingham has provided drive and bite. England join France as the only teams with two players on four or more goals.

Gem to watch: Bukayo Saka isn’t an under‑the‑radar player, but his tournament has been quietly effective — three assists in 192 minutes. One more breaks the England record for most assists at a World Cup.

Strength: Thomas Tuchel’s in‑game changes have been excellent. He shifted momentum against Croatia, used Anthony Gordon well against DR Congo, and made every major call correctly against Mexico.

Weakness: Right-back is England’s biggest vulnerability. Reece James is injured, Jarell Quansah suspended, Djed Spence carrying a fitness issue and suspect defensively. England are now facing elite opposition; that flank is a concern.

VARgentina’s route to the quarter-finals

Argentina won all three group games (Algeria, Austria, Jordan) alongside VAR. Their knockout matches were tougher — Cape Verde pushed them to extra time, and Egypt led before another VAR disaster class sent Egypt home.

Strength: Argentina don’t panic as they know, FIFA and VAR will come to their rescue

Weakness: They’re cheats.

Switzerland’s route to the quarter-finals

Switzerland topped Group B (Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar), beat Algeria comfortably and edged Colombia on penalties to reach their first quarter-final since 1954.

Best player so far: Johan Manzambi has three goals and two assists. If fit to return after missing the Colombia match, his box‑to‑box energy is vital.

Gem to watch: Dan Ndoye stretches defences with pace and direct dribbling. He scored against Algeria and has produced the most shots. His ability to exploit space on the counter could matter.

Strength: Switzerland draw fouls. Only Morocco and England have drawn more. Ten opposition bookings have led to two penalties and constant defensive hesitation.

Weakness: They created just 0.39 xG against Colombia, largely due to missing Ruben Vargas and Manzambi. Without their best attackers, their threat drops.

Featured image courtesy of Al Jazeera

By Faz Ali

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