World Cup Quarterfinals: It's Messi, Morocco, and 6 Teams From Europe. And that's Not Unusual
The expanded tournament has reached the quarterfinals, and Europe holds six of the eight spots after a series of knockout upsets.
- Eight teams remain in the World Cup quarterfinals from the original 48, with six from Europe and Argentina and Morocco as the only non-European representatives.
- Co-Hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada were all eliminated in the round of 16, failing to advance despite strong group-stage performances and playing on home soil.
- Switzerland reached its first quarterfinal in 72 years after defeating Colombia, while Norway knocked out Brazil with two goals from Erling Haaland.
- Defending champion Argentina advanced on Tuesday after Lionel Messi overturned a 2-0 deficit against Egypt for a 3-2 victory in Atlanta, though Egypt coach Hossam Hassan alleged officiating decisions determined the outcome.
- Upcoming quarterfinal matchups pit France against Morocco in Boston and England against Norway in Miami, with Spain and Belgium also competing for semifinal spots.
47 Articles
47 Articles
Expanded World Cup; same old story as Europe dominates quarter-finals
Six of the countries in the last eight are European, with the exceptions being Lionel Messi's Argentina, the reigning champions, and Morocco. With France, Spain, Belgium, England, Norway and Switzerland still in contention, there could be an all-European semi-final line-up, like in 2018. Europe's share of the spots at a World Cup has decreased dramatically in recent decades, from boasting 14 of 24 berths in Italy in 1990, to 16 out of 48 now. Th…
Los Angeles Times
Again, as usual.
The 2026 World Cup continues with the trend prevailing during this century in the tournament: Europe goes to South America in Worlds. The championship crosses that is held in the United States, Mexico and Canada have left us a quarter-final table with six Europeans, one South American and one African. Argentina and Morocco are the only countries that accompany the combination of the Old Continent among the top eight of the World Cup. Switzerland…
Messi, Morocco and six European teams eye World Cup glory
Miami Gardens: More World Cup teams. Same World Cup story. This edition started with 48 teams; it’s now down to eight, with six of those from Europe. And unless Morocco pulls off a series of surprising outcomes over the final two weeks, the champion will come from Europe or South America. Again. As always. A tournament that has been around for nearly a century — the first World Cup was in 1930 — has been contested on 22 previous occasions. The c…
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