World Cup bracket predictions 2026: Expert picks for quarterfinals and road to glory in FIFA tournament

And then there were eight. After some unforgettable Round of 16 matches, the battle for World Cup glory is reaching boiling point.

The expanded format at FIFA's global showpiece has produced some matches for the ages. England tamed Mexico at the Azteca with 10 men - the highlight of a knockout round that accounted for all three of the co-hosts.

France were stifled but triumphant against Paraguay. Spain still haven't conceded a goal and those two European heavyweights are setting the standard.

Erling Haaland and Norway sunk Brazil, while Egypt came agonisingly close to taking down champions Argentina. The Lionel Messi Show rumbles on, with Cristiano Ronaldo consigned to the beach, but for how long?

As this high-drama tournament approaches its climax, we try to predict the seven remaining games that will who wins the 2026 World Cup.

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World Cup 2026 bracket

SN

World Cup quarterfinal predictions

Quarterfinals

France vs. Morocco

A re-run of the Qatar 2022 quarterfinal. This version of Morocco has the tools to be more proactive against France, but that can be a double-edged sword, facing Les Bleus' phenomenal attack. Didier Deschamps side also showed they can win in tempestuous circumstances when the goals don't flow, after edging past Paraguay 1-0 in a game where their opponents were happy to operate on the margins of the rules.

Morocco were far too good for Canada in the previous round, but their lacklustre first half in the game, careless defending versus Haiti and failure to sustain a performance for 90 minutes against Brazil or Scotland feel like flaws that will be ruthlessly punished by Les Bleus.

SN Prediction: France 2-0 Morocco

Spain vs. Belgium

This was supposed to be a buoyant host nation facing the European champions under the Los Angeles sunshine. Belgium tore up that script the same way they tore through a callow United States side to silence Seattle in the Round of 16. From a team in shambles and on the brink of elimination when they trailed Senegal 2-0, the Red Devils are now free-rolling.

With Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku benched, Romelu Lukaku being wheeled out for supersub goals, and Rudi Garcia fashioning a winning team out of tape and twine, Belgium has found a formula. There has been no such drama around Spain, but the way Pedri and Rodri slowly suffocated Portugal during the second half of their tense Iberian derby was very impressive. La Roja need more cutting edge in attack, but they'll be too good here.

SN Prediction: Spain 2-0 Belgium

Norway vs. England

Both teams come into this game high on confidence aftter banner knockout wins that will live on in their national football folklore long after this tournament is put to bed. Ultimately, this feels like a game that will come down to who of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane can best lay out their claims of being the best No. 9 in football. Thomas Tuchel having Haaland's long-time teammate John Stones and Manchester City's Marc Guehi to call upon could prove useful.

Norway are far from a one-man team, though. Patrick Berg and Martin Odegaard are the sort of technically astute midfielders who have made knockout matches a misery for England in the past. But this version of the Three Lions will be buoyed by their Azteca epic and are now a team with plenty of hard-bitten experience of going deep in major tournaments.

SN Prediction: Norway 1-2 England

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Argentina vs. Switzerland

Switzerland have gone quietly under the radar, the wretched 1-1 opening draw against Qatar seems a long time ago.. Argentina, meanwhile have engaged in two of the games of the tournament. The wretched 1-1 opening draw against Qatar seems a long time ago.

Those mini epics against Cape Verde and Egypt did not come about because all is working well for Lionel Scaloni's team. They've veered back towards the pre-2022 version of La Albiceleste at times, giving the ball to Lionel Messi and hoping he'll sort it out. At the same time, they never know when they're beaten and the supporting cast were a huge part of that.

Scaloni will be keep for his team to avoid more mayhem and Switzerland's methodical approach, low on maverick moments, might give them the scope to do that.

SN Prediction: Argentina 1-0 Switzerland

World Cup semifinal 2026 bracket predictions

Semifinals

France vs. Spain

These two met at the same stage of Euro 2024 and Spain won en route to glory. It's such a deliciously well-matched game, where the sense is that each team's main strengths can as questions their opponent is seldom asked. Spain are yet to concede at the tournament, their centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi utterly imperious. But Kylian Mbappe and France's all-star attack are on another, irresistable level.

Adrien Rabiot has been an unsung hero of France's campaign, but Rodri and Pedri can take whatever midfielder combination Didier Deschamps settles upon to the well. The difference might come down to attacking cutting edge. Spain have been a little short there, with Nico Williams a non-playing tourist and Lamine Yamal still working back to full fitness. Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba have been formidable at the back for France.

SN: Prediction: France 2-1 Spain (after extra time)

England vs. Argentina

These two have serious World Cup history. Wembley in 1966, Mexico City in 1986 and Saint-Etienne in 1998. All matches were legends were born and controversy raged. Argentina have a recent history that England would love to call their own: two Copa America titles vs. two European Championship final defeats. The Three Lions were also France's toughest test in Qatar before Lionel Messi and co. took down Les Bleus in the final.

Argentina looking incapable of controlling a match against high quality opposition and they'll have their sights on an England defence that can tend towards flimsy. Expect a shootout between two teams boasting superstar talent and masking obvious flaws. England's youth as a gruelling tournament reaches its climax might hold sway in an epic.

SN Prediction: England 3-2 Argentina 

World Cup 2026 final prediction

France vs. England

A rematch of their Qatar quarterfinal, where Harry Kane suffered penalty heartache in a 2-1 defeat. Kane took that setback and became even better, now an indisputable global great. It does feel fair to ask whether this England team is as collectively accomplished and well-balanced as that team from for years ago. 

Thomas Tuchel has his moments players. Only France have more them and a few others on the bench. Didier Deschamps is signing off knowing his team is definitely better than they were four years ago. England will have success and be undaunted by the task. But a third major final defeat in six years will be their cross to bear.

SN Prediction: France 3-1 England