​Rephrased World Cup bracket predictions for 2026: Expert picks for the quarterfinals and the road to glory in FIFA’s tournament, originally featured on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. And then there were eight. Following a set of unforgettable Round of 16 clashes, the race for World Cup glory heats up as the knockout rounds reach their fiercest point. The expanded format at FIFA’s global showpiece has delivered some matches for the ages. England subdued Mexico at the Azteca with ten men, a standout moment in a knockout phase that eliminated all three co-hosts. France were held but prevailed against Paraguay. Spain have yet to concede a goal, and these two European powerhouses are setting the benchmark. Erling Haaland and Norway toppled Brazil, while Egypt came agonisingly close to beating defending champions Argentina. The Lionel Messi spectacle continues, with Cristiano Ronaldo seemingly fading into the background, but for how long? As this high-drama tournament nears its climax, we attempt to forecast the seven remaining fixtures that will decide who lifts the 2026 World Cup trophy.
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SN Date Match No Matchup
Thurs., July 99 France vs. Morocco
Fri., July 1098 Spain vs. Belgium
Sat., July 1199 Norway vs. England
Sat., July 11100 Argentina vs. Colombia
A rerun of the Qatar 2022 quarterfinals, this edition’s Morocco carries the tools to press France more actively, though that approach can backfire against Les Bleus’ lethal attack. Didier Deschamps’ side has demonstrated they can win when goals are scarce, edging Paraguay 1-0 in a match where opponents pushed the rules to the limit. Morocco, having dispatched Canada in the previous round, showed glimpses of vulnerability in the first half against Haiti, and their consistency against Brazil or Scotland in recent bouts suggested flaws that France would ruthlessly exploit. SN Prediction: France 2-0 Morocco.
This match was intended to feature a buoyant host nation squaring off against the European champions under the Los Angeles sun. Belgium defied the script by dismantling a US side in Seattle, a response that echoed their decisive performance against a struggling side in the Round of 16. A squad that looked unsettled at times, yet resilient, has found a nascent rhythm under Rudi Garcia, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku benched at times and Romelu Lukaku stepping in as a supersub to great effect. Meanwhile, Spain have not required drama in their campaign, but their Iberian derby against Portugal in the second half showed how Pedri and Rodri effectively controlled the tempo. La Roja still need more cutting edge in attack, but their overall control suggests they’ll come out on top here. SN Prediction: Spain 2-0 Belgium.
Note: This rewrite preserves the essence and sequencing of the original preview while presenting the content in a fresh narrative form. The aim is to maintain the excitement and analysis of the knockout-stage matchups while ensuring clarity and readability for readers following the 2026 World Cup landscape.