World Cup Quarterfinal Field Set After Dramatic Tuesday Results

The final two quarterfinal berths at the 2026 FIFA World Cup were secured Tuesday as Argentina completed one of the tournament’s most dramatic comebacks and Switzerland survived a tense penalty shootout against Colombia. Defending champion Argentina looked to be heading toward a shocking elimination after falling behind Egypt before rallying with three late goals for a remarkable 3-2 victory. Lionel Messi again played a central role in the comeback as Argentina overturned the deficit during the closing stages to keep its title defense alive. The result set up a quarterfinal showdown with Switzerland later this week and reinforced Argentina’s status as one of the tournament favorites. The day’s second match produced far less scoring but just as much drama. Switzerland and Colombia battled through 120 scoreless minutes before Switzerland advanced 4-3 in the penalty shootout. Both defenses controlled long stretches of play, with clear scoring opportunities at a premium. Switzerland’s composure from the penalty spot ultimately proved decisive, sending the Swiss into the final eight for a meeting with Argentina. With Tuesday’s results complete, the World Cup quarterfinal lineup is officially set. France will face Morocco, Spain meets Belgium, Norway takes on England, and Argentina squares off against Switzerland. The remaining eight teams include several traditional powers along with surprise contenders Morocco and Norway, both of whom have exceeded expectations during impressive tournament runs.

Tomorrow’s World Cup Match Preview

The quarterfinals begin Thursday with France taking on Morocco in a matchup that carries added intrigue after the nations met in the 2022 World Cup semifinals. France has advanced largely behind the attacking talent of Kylian Mbappé and a deep roster, but Morocco arrives unbeaten and fresh off an impressive 3-0 victory over Canada before reaching the last eight. Analysts view Morocco as France’s toughest test of the tournament so far. France vs. Morocco

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX (U.S.)
• Betting odds: France -170, Morocco +500; Draw +260 (90-minute market)
• Key players to watch: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise (France); Achraf Hakimi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco).

Championship Betting Outlook

With only eight teams remaining, sportsbooks like DraftKings and BetMGM have tightened the outright futures market. France remains the consensus favorite after another disciplined defensive performance and continues to be viewed as the most complete squad left in the tournament. Spain’s victory over Portugal elevated La Roja near the top of the betting board, while Argentina’s dramatic escape preserved its opportunity to become the first nation in more than six decades to successfully defend a World Cup title. England’s balanced roster and favorable path keep it among the leading contenders despite a difficult quarterfinal matchup against Norway. Belgium’s emphatic win over the United States has also shortened its odds entering Friday’s clash with Spain. Current championship favorites include:

• France (+170)
• Spain (+350)
• Argentina (+450)
• England (+500)
• Belgium (+1200)
• Morocco (+1800)
• Norway (+2200)
• Switzerland (+3000)