France and Spain lead the pack as semi-finals loom
With the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals complete, The Guardian has assessed all eight sides that contested the last eight — and it makes for interesting reading ahead of the semi-finals. You can follow all the action on our World Cup 2026 hub and keep tabs on results via the live standings.
France sit top of the rankings. Their quarter-final against Morocco required an hour of patience, but Kylian Mbappé eventually produced the decisive moment, adding an assist for good measure. The assessment from The Guardian is that France are making their status as tournament favourites work in their favour — opponents fear them, and they know it.
Spain come in second despite a harder-than-expected win over Belgium. The tie was settled by Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, who had been on the pitch for just 115 seconds when he turned in the rebound after Senne Lammens fumbled a long-range shot. Belgium, who were without first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois through injury, had largely matched Spain before that error. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal is hitting form at precisely the right moment, and has shown little sign of nerves ahead of a likely semi-final meeting with Mbappé. As Yamal put it: “We knocked them out of the Euros — we have no fear.”
England are into the semi-finals but it was far from comfortable in the Miami heat against Norway. Jude Bellingham was the standout performer, repeatedly shifting the dynamic when his teammates were second best. Thomas Tuchel was visibly frustrated with his side’s display, and The Guardian notes that Bellingham needs to play as close to Harry Kane as possible if England are to have a genuine chance of reaching the final.
Argentina scraped past Switzerland in what has become a familiar pattern — a battle for every inch, with Lionel Messi pulling strings but others making the critical contributions. Julián Álvarez opened his tournament account with a stunning strike, which should boost his confidence. Midfielder Leandro Paredes summed up the mood: “It seems like if there’s no suffering, it doesn’t count.” Scaloni’s side cannot afford to sit back after an early goal again in the semi-finals.
Eliminated sides Switzerland and Belgium both depart with genuine grievances. Switzerland were reduced to ten men by a VAR-reviewed red card for Breel Embolo when the match was level, while Belgium were punished for a single goalkeeping error in an otherwise competitive display.
Norway and Morocco complete the rankings, with both sides given short shrift — Norway lacking a plan B when Erling Haaland was ineffective, and Morocco set up so defensively they managed just one shot on target.