Europe Dominates World Cup Quarterfinals; Haaland-Kane Clash Set

The 2026 North American World Cup quarterfinals are set, featuring a strong European contingent with six nations securing spots. This stage of the tournament is marked by the unexpected success of Norway and Switzerland, who have advanced to challenge established powers.

Switzerland earned their place by defeating Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw, marking their first quarterfinal appearance since their own tournament in 1954. Norway, led by star striker Erling Haaland, also reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history, becoming one of the tournament's biggest surprises.

Morocco, a semifinalist in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, has once again reached the quarterfinals, demonstrating their previous success was not a one-off. In contrast, the joint host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, have all been eliminated in the Round of 16.

The quarterfinal matchups promise exciting clashes. France will face Morocco in a rematch of the 2022 semifinals. On the following day, Spain will compete against Belgium, with attention on whether Belgium's defense can withstand Spain's potent offense. The most anticipated match is between Norway and England, pitting Haaland against England captain Harry Kane, who are both high on the Golden Boot leaderboard.

The race for the Golden Boot is also heating up. Lionel Messi currently leads with 8 goals, trailed by Haaland and Kylian Mbappé with 7 goals each, and Harry Kane with 6. The progression of their teams in the knockout stage will be a key factor in determining the tournament's top scorer.