Overview
- The quarterfinal bracket is set with France vs Morocco, Spain vs Belgium, Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland, with matches scheduled from July 9 to July 12.
- European sides supply six of the eight quarterfinalists, a dominance that bookmakers say has pushed France to clear favouritism for the title.
- Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 in a late comeback in the round of 16, a match that featured VAR interventions, a missed Messi penalty and a goal controversy that proved decisive.
- Egypt coach Hossam Hassan publicly accused the game of being 'rigged' and a tunnel video showing tense exchanges with Argentina staff has circulated, keeping the refereeing dispute in the headlines.
- Norway's run, powered by Erling Haaland's multi‑goal form, and surprise deep runs by Morocco and Switzerland underline shifting tournament dynamics driven by strong European infrastructures and emerging national breakthroughs.