World Cup 2026: Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe in last eight
Setting the scene for each of the four intriguing World Cup quarter-finals that begin on Thursday.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: YantsImages
The 2026 World Cup is reaching its climax as the tournament moves into the quarter-finals. Eight nations remain in the hunt for the trophy, with four compelling matches set to take place starting this Thursday, featuring a mix of European, African, and South American powerhouses.
A standout fixture is the clash between England and Norway. The game highlights a massive striker duel between Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland and England captain Harry Kane. Haaland has been in clinical form with seven goals in four games, while Kane continues to chase the Golden Boot as England's all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments.
Elsewhere, France faces Morocco in a high-stakes encounter. Didier Deschamps' side has been refreshed by talents like William Saliba and Michael Olise, though Kylian Mbappe remains the central figure in their pursuit of the title. France will be tested by a dynamic Morocco team looking to build on their previous tournament success.
The remaining ties see Spain, currently holding a record-breaking defensive streak without conceding, take on a prolific Belgium side. Meanwhile, reigning champions Argentina look to navigate past a stubborn Switzerland outfit as Lionel Messi continues his individual battle for the tournament's top-scorer award.