Overview
- The quarterfinal bracket is confirmed with France v Morocco first on Thursday, followed by Spain v Belgium, Norway v England and Argentina v Switzerland.
- France are clear favourites largely because Kylian Mbappé has seven goals so far and Les Bleus remain unbeaten, with Didier Deschamps due to step down after the tournament.
- Morocco have gone unbeaten in 10 matches under coach Mohamed Ouahbi, but Bayern midfielder Ismael Saibari has been reported by several outlets as ruled out of the France game while other reports gave later or differing fitness updates.
- FIFA rejected France’s appeal to overturn Michael Olise’s yellow card, a decision that leaves Olise one booking away from an automatic ban for the semi-final if he is cautioned again.
- Team preparations carry fresh complications: Norway has faced reports of a sickness bug that officials downplayed, Belgium lodged an official complaint about the condition of its training pitch grass, and Mexico appointed Rafael Márquez as its new head coach, all in a tournament marked by greater knockout volatility since expansion to 48 teams.