​In just 11 days, the champion of the 2026 World Cup will be crowned after the final at MetLife Stadium, with July 19 marking the culmination of a long, hard road. But there is still plenty of action to come before that moment, starting with the quarterfinals, which get underway on Thursday, July 9 at 4 p.m. ET when Kylian Mbappé and France face Brahim Diaz and Morocco for a place in next week’s semifinals.
World Cup bracket predictions: Our picks for every quarterfinal game. To determine who advances past the third knockout round, USA TODAY Sports turned to the Microsoft Copilot AI chatbot to forecast the results of each of the four World Cup quarterfinal matchups, asking for both an analysis and an explanation for each selection. In its simulation, the Copilot AI favored the higher-seeded teams across all four quarterfinals, though it suggested that one of Saturday’s matches could be decided by a moment of free-flowing soccer rather than a clear edge.
We also requested predictions from the Copilot AI for the semifinals and the championship game slated for next weekend. Spoiler alert: Copilot’s forecast for the final may surprise you. Here’s how AI is projecting the remainder of the 2026 World Cup to unfold:
1 / 5 A frame from the Group D clash between the United States and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026, shows US forward Folarin Balogun (#20) celebrating after scoring in a 3-0 win. (PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
AI’s pick: France 2, Morocco 0.
AI’s analysis: “France arrives in the quarterfinals as the tournament’s favorites, having shown consistent dominance throughout the competition. Their squad blends elite attacking talent with depth at nearly every position and extensive knockout-match experience. Morocco, as expected, have again demonstrated they belong among the world’s elite with robust defensive organization that can frustrate tougher opponents, but France’s superior individual quality over 90 minutes should create enough chances to break through. Morocco’s best route is to keep the game low-scoring and hunt for a set-piece opportunity, yet France’s balance of attack and defense makes them the safer choice to advance.”
AI’s pick: Spain 2, Belgium 1.
AI’s analysis: “This should be one of the most tactically charged quarterfinals of the tournament, with Spain holding a slight edge thanks to their midfield control and ability to dictate the pace. Throughout the event, Spain have been effective at limiting opponents’ opportunities while patiently crafting chances through their passing game. Belgium arrive with confidence after a convincing round-of-16 win, but questions remain about whether they can consistently handle a side that dominates possession as well as Spain does. If Spain can establish their rhythm early, they should be able to wear Belgium down and move on to the semifinals.”