Soccer
What chance do the eight quarter-finalists have of winning the 2026 World Cup?
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After a day's grace in World Cup action, proceedings in North America get back underway this evening with the first of the tournament's quarter-final match-ups.
Eight teams remain from the 48 we started with, and any one of them is now just three wins away from being crowned 2026 world champions.
So, which team is best equipped to triumph? DAZN News argues the case for each of the competition's remaining nations and ranks them by their chances of winning.
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8th - Switzerland
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It's been a brilliant journey for Switzerland so far, and although they are the rank outsiders of the final eight, it doesn't mean they aren't there on merit.
The Swiss have proved to be a tough nut to crack. They are defensively resolute, with a backline that has been excellently marshalled by Manuel Akanji, while Granit Xhaka has continued to lead and perform in the same manner he did so well for Sunderland last season.
But there's also been a spark in attack, too. The global emergence of Johan Manzambi who's been one of the surprise stars of the tournament.
They will take great heart in seeing the troubles Argentina have faced in the last two rounds, and although there's definitely scope for a shock against the holders, it would be highly unlikely to see Murat Yakin's team go all the way.
7th - Belgium
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Up until the showdown with the USA, it hadn't been a particularly impressive showing from Belgium in North America, who have a squad stuck between two eras and hasn't functioned nearly as well as it should.
However, placed in the neutrals' favourite spot, thanks to Donald Trump's interference on the US's behalf, they stepped up to the plate with a comfortable 4-1 win over the co-hosts.
Spain, however, presents a different task. No team has been able to penetrate the Spanish backline, so the Belgians will rely on the movement of Youri Tielemans and hope for one last moment from Kevin De Bruyne to unlock Spain's defensive rearguard.
But it doesn't really feel like that will happen.
6th - Morocco
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There's been much to like about the Moroccan's who are proving that their fourth-place finish in 2022 was no fluke and they are ready to stay among the tournament's elite sides and remain the best Africa has to offer.
Their first-half performance against Brazil showcased what an exciting outfit they are, where they should have punished the South Americans after cutting them open in midfield.
Since then, they haven't quite managed to replicate that display, but could still cause France issues. In midfield, Ayyoub Bouaddi has been a revelation, while Brahim Díaz is finally showing his ability, too.
They'll need to keep the French quiet for as long as possible if they are to have any chance of breaking the expected final four, but as for winning it...not just yet.
5th - Norway
The Norwegians have more than lived up to the dark horse tag they were given at the start of the tournament and now compete in their first-ever World Cup quarter-final.
It's quite an achievement for a side that hasn't appeared on this stage since 1998, but when you've got Erling Haaland, anything is possible.
The striking Viking's two goals against Brazil were everything you need from a world-class match winner, and he's more than capable of doing the same to England.
That's not doing a disservice to the rest of the Norway side, because in Martin Odegaard, Orjan Nyland and Patrick Berg, they have players who have impressed.
Yet the final eight feels like where this Viking row might end as England - or then possibly Argentina - may have too much.
4th - Argentina
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Boy, they don't do things the easy way, do they? With just over 10 minutes to play against Egypt, the holders looked to be heading home, but then came Messi's switch in attack and the inevitable magic that saw Argentina progress.
What that game did show, and the way they escaped ultimate humiliation against Cape Verde, is that this team has its frailties and can be exposed. Yes, they have the kinder draw against Switzerland, but are they good enough to retain the trophy?
It's the same defence from four years ago, and they are arguably a weaker team than the one that lifted the trophy in Qatar.
Yet they have Lionel Messi. So believe ANYTHING is still possible.
3rd - England
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England are still basking in their performance against Mexico on Monday, one that has been lauded as one of their best-ever tournament displays. Now they have to follow that up.
It would be so typically England to follow such a momentous evening at the Azteca with a damp squib of a game against Norway, where Erling Haaland delivers a killer blow.
But this Three Lions side suddenly feels different. With Bellingham back to his clutch best and Harry Kane showing why he should win this year's Ballon d'Or, they have the tools to get the better of the Scandinavians.
Win there, and they face a possibly narrative-led battle with Argentina, which comes with its own pitfalls.
Is it coming home? I wouldn't start blasting Three Lions just yet, but I'd have it at the top of the playlist and ready to go.
2nd - Spain
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Spain have waltzed through the tournament so far, but it's still difficult to judge just how good they are and if this team is better than the one that won the Euros two years ago.
They certainly aren't easy to beat, or even score against, having now racked up a record six consecutive clean sheets in the World Cup, including all five games in North America.
They also possess world-class attacking talent in Lamine Yamal, who's not really got going yet, while Mikel Oyarzabal continues to thrive up front.
You'd expect them to beat Belgium, but if it's France in the semi-finals, then we'll get the best indication of whether or not this Spain side really is the real deal.
1st - France
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Easily the most impressive side in the tournament so far, with an attack that can easily blow away anyone, but is their triumph as much of a forgone conclusion as some are suggesting?
We've seen their devastating front four cut open defences throughout the tournament, and there's no question they can do that to anyone - which makes them the team to beat.
However, Paraguay showed you can frustrate Didier Deschamps' men, and they are yet to be really tested by a top-drawer attack.
They are favourites for all the right reasons, but there's still time to see if Morocco or Spain could expose certain aspects of this French team.
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