World Cup Quarterfinals Odds

Dylan Wilkerson Sports Betting Expert

12 minute read

The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals are complete, and the semifinal bracket is set. England outlasted Norway in extra time and Argentina survived a 10-man Switzerland side, also in extra time, to fill out the final four alongside already-qualified France and Spain. In a rarity for the World Cup, the semifinalists are also the tournament's top four ranked teams: France, Argentina, Spain and England, in that order. Here's the full rundown of how each team got there, what's next, and the betting angles worth watching as the field narrows to the final four.

Updated on 8/3/26

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Teams in the Quarterfinals

Morocco — The Atlas Lions rolled past co-host Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16, becoming the first African nation to reach back-to-back World Cup quarterfinals after their historic run to the semifinals in 2022.

France — Kylian Mbappé's penalty in the 70th minute was enough to get Les Bleus past a stubborn, physical Paraguay side, 1-0. France has now outscored opponents 14-2 across the tournament and has reached at least the quarterfinals in six of the last eight World Cups. France's title odds have tightened to around +164 to win it all, still the top spot on the board.

Norway — In one of the tournament's biggest results, Erling Haaland scored a brace to lead Norway past Brazil 2-1, sending the Norwegians to their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal. Haaland is now tied atop the Golden Boot leaderboard.

England — The Three Lions survived a wild one in Mexico City, beating Mexico 3-2 while down to 10 men to hand El Tri their first competitive home loss since 2013. It's England's third straight World Cup quarterfinal appearance, matching a feat they last accomplished from 1962-1970. Harry Kane's goal in that match has him in the mix near the top of the scoring race as well.

Spain — La Roja eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal 1-0 on Monday, with substitute Mikel Merino scoring in the first minute of second-half stoppage time off a Ferran Torres assist. Portugal pushed hard late — Bernardo Silva headed a great chance over the bar in the final minutes — but couldn't find an equalizer. The result also closed the book on Ronaldo's World Cup career; he confirmed before the match that this tournament would be his last, and while he became the first player to score in six different World Cups this summer, Portugal still hasn't gotten past the quarterfinals in 20 years. Spain advances having yet to concede a competitive goal across the knockout rounds heading into the match, and now heads to Los Angeles as one of the tournament favorites.

Belgium — The Red Devils ended the host nation's run in emphatic fashion, routing the USMNT 4-1 in Seattle. Malik Tillman had briefly tied the match 1-1 in the 31st minute, but Belgium answered with two goals from Charles De Ketelaere, a deflected effort from Hans Vanaken after a U.S. goalkeeping mistake by Matt Freese, and a late finish from Romelu Lukaku to close it out. The loss eliminates the last of the three co-host nations from the tournament and sends Belgium into the quarterfinals to face Spain.

Argentina — The defending champions survived arguably the wildest match of the tournament, rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the final 11 minutes to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta. Yasser Ibrahim's header put Egypt ahead in the 15th minute, and things got worse for Argentina when Lionel Messi had a penalty saved by Egyptian keeper Mostafa Shobeir — his second missed spot kick of the tournament. Mostafa Zico doubled Egypt's lead in the 67th minute, and with 11 minutes to go, a stunning upset was in sight. Then Argentina erupted: Cristian Romero headed in a Messi cross in the 79th minute, Messi leveled it himself four minutes later with a first-time strike for his tournament-leading eighth goal, and Enzo Fernández headed in the winner off a Lautaro Martínez cross three minutes into stoppage time. It's the second time this tournament Argentina has needed a comeback to survive a knockout scare, after needing extra time to get past Cape Verde in the Round of 32. Egypt's Mohamed Salah, meanwhile, may have played his final World Cup match.

Switzerland — In the tightest game of the round, Switzerland outlasted Colombia 4-3 on penalties after 120 scoreless minutes in Vancouver. Colombia actually generated the better chances — outshooting Switzerland 15-7 and finishing with the superior expected-goals mark, with Yerry Mina and Jhon Arias each denied by the crossbar or a big save late in extra time — but couldn't find the breakthrough. In the shootout, Granit Xhaka, Zeki Amdouni, Cedric Itten and Rubén Vargas all converted for Switzerland, while Colombia's Daniel Sánchez hit the crossbar and Cucho Hernández was saved by Gregor Kobel on the decisive kick. It's Switzerland's first quarterfinal appearance since 1954, when they were also the hosts, and it continues Colombia's penalty-shootout misery in World Cup knockout play, dating back to a loss to England on spot kicks in 2018.

The Quarterfinal Bracket: Results and Previews

France 2, Morocco 0 (FINAL) — Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) Mbappé and Dembélé scored second-half goals as France cruised into the semifinals, holding Morocco to just five shots and one on target. Morocco's tournament ends in the quarterfinals for the second straight cycle, while France advances to face the winner of Spain-Belgium on Tuesday, July 14, in Arlington, Texas — a potential rematch of the 2024 European Championship semifinal, which Spain won 2-1.

Spain 2, Belgium 1 (FINAL) — Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) Fabián Ruiz's 30th-minute rebound goal put Spain ahead before Charles De Ketelaere leveled it in the 41st, becoming the first player to beat Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón all tournament. Substitute Mikel Merino — who also had the late winner against Portugal — struck again in the 88th minute after Belgium's backup keeper Senne Lammens spilled a shot into his path. Spain outshot Belgium 16-5 and moves on to face France in Arlington on Tuesday.

England 2, Norway 1 (FINAL, a.e.t.) — Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium) Andreas Schjelderup's early strike gave Norway the lead, but Jude Bellingham drew England level just before halftime and then won it in extra time for his second goal of the match and sixth of the tournament. It's a heartbreaking end for Norway's Cinderella run, and Erling Haaland's tournament, in his first World Cup, is over. England moves on to face Argentina in Atlanta.

Argentina 3, Switzerland 1 (FINAL, a.e.t.) — Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium) Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 10th minute off a Messi assist, and Switzerland played more than 50 minutes a man down after Breel Embolo's second yellow card, but Dan Ndoye still leveled it in the 67th to send the match to extra time. Julián Álvarez's long-range golazo in the 112th minute proved decisive, with Lautaro Martínez adding a stoppage-time goal to seal it. The result ended Messi's streak of scoring in nine straight World Cup matches, but Argentina moves on to face England.

Betting Angles to Watch

France remains the favorite on the outright board as the semifinal round approaches, with Argentina and Spain forming the next tier and England rounding out the four. Argentina's odds may see some added respect after grinding out a second straight extra-time knockout win, even with Messi's scoring streak finally snapped. Spain enters as a slight favorite over France in some early lines given its perfect defensive record for most of the tournament, though France's attack has been the most dominant of any semifinalist. The Golden Boot race remains a Messi-Mbappé tie at eight goals each, with Bellingham (six) and Haaland, now eliminated, filling out the next tier.

With the semifinal bracket now set, the final four brings together the tournament's top four ranked teams for the first time in World Cup history: France and Spain meet Tuesday in Arlington, while England and Argentina renew their rivalry Wednesday in Atlanta. Argentina has needed extra time or a late comeback in every knockout match so far, Bellingham has emerged as England's talisman with six goals, and the Golden Boot race between Messi and Mbappé is set to go down to the wire.

Dylan Wilkerson

Dylan Wilkerson has over 5 years of experience reporting and analyzing the sports betting industry for various sites. His portfolio includes work for SportsHandle and Action Network, in addition to VegasInsider. His favorite sports are the NFL, College Football, The PGA Tour, the LIV Tour, and Cricket. Dylan has a broad and deep understanding of various sports-related topics. More from Dylan Wilkerson