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    World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals

    5. Morocco 🇲🇦 ⬆️

    The Afcon (sort of) champions impressed in the group stage, especially in their opening draw against Brazil where they were the better side, but were punished for not scoring big against Scotland or Haiti as they ran out second in Group C, setting up a match with big hitters Netherlands in the round of 32’s most-stacked tie.

    Cue a match filled with last drama and one of the most bewildering penalty shootouts in World Cup history, which saw five out of 10 spot-kicks missed - with Morocco the victors. After inflicting one of the two biggest eliminations of the last-32, Morocco have now dumped out one of the hosts in a dominant win over Canada, and are very much succeeding in their bid to prove their 2022 semi-final run was no fluke.

    Will Castle8 July 2026 14:30

    World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals

    6. Norway 🇳🇴 ⬆️

    Norway hadn’t been at a World Cup in 28 years before making their return to the global stage in North America - they now look like they’re here to stay.

    Haaland scored both in the 2-0 win in New Jersey (because of course he did) to propel himself among Messi and Mbappe in the golden boot race, and now stares down the barrel of a last-eight meeting with the Three Lions - unfortunately for Tuchel, Haaland has a knack for scoring against English defences.

    (Getty)

    Will Castle8 July 2026 14:15

    Who will reach the semi-finals?

    Argentina take on Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the World Cup but which team will progress?

    Have your say with our score predictor below:

    Mike Jones8 July 2026 14:00

    World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals

    7. Belgium 🇧🇪 ⬆️

    While Belgium are not what they used to be after seeing their golden generation pass them by, Rudi Garcia’s team clearly had extra fire in their belly courtesy of the controversy as they dismantled the dismal hosts in a 4-1 win. “Overturn this,” posted Belgium on their official social media accounts.

    They beat the odds stacked against them by Mr Trump, but can they do it again by overcoming one of the tournament favourites in Spain next up? We think that’s a long shot.

    (Getty)

    Will Castle8 July 2026 13:45

    World Cup 2026 power rankings: Rating all eight nations ahead of the quarter-finals

    8. Switzerland🇨🇭⬆️

    You can’t really be classed as getting the wooden spoon as a World Cup quarter-finalist but if it has to be given out, Switzerland are the receivers as the victor of the most uneventful last-16 tie by a country mile.

    The Swiss are into the quarter-finals after edging Colombia on penalties, following a goalless draw. The first time they’ve reached the last-eight in 72 years, Switzerland have finally broken their last-16 curse - they’d exited the competition five times just before the quarters since that 1954 run.

    They’re charged with eliminating holders Argentina in the next round - safe to say they’ll have the whole of Egypt rooting for them, too.

    Will Castle8 July 2026 13:30

    HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Gianni Infantino resign?

    Harry Latham-Coyle8 July 2026 13:15

    How a box-office World Cup descended into fury and farce to leave Fifa with a huge problem

    Or, as they say here, prime-time TV. This was box office. Any director would have loved all of this, right up to the unique soundtrack of the Argentina fans.

    There have been so many similar moments at this World Cup, where the drama has been sensational and driven all emotions to extremes. Just look at how Messi and his manager were in tears.

    Miguel Delaney8 July 2026 13:00

    EU lawmakers call for probe of FIFA boss over Trump contact before US-Belgium match

    Dozens of European lawmakers are gathering support to launch an investigation in the European Parliament of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino over his involvement in the decision to permit U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play despite an earlier red card.

    Balogun was shown a red card during the U.S. victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, which normally would make him ineligible to play in team's next game, but FIFA lifted his suspension for a match on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened with Infantino on behalf of the 25-year-old striker.

    European Parliament lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang said in a joint statement that FIFAs decision to “change the rule on red card suspensions mid-tournament is a disgrace and a perversion of justice.”“Once again, we’ve seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration," the statement said.

    Mike Jones8 July 2026 12:45

    Fox Sports pundits Thierry Henry and Alexi Lalas clash during intense Balogun red card debate

    The United States forward was handed a reprieve by Fifa after President Donald Trump intervened and encouraged Fifa President Gianni Infantino to review the one-game suspension after a sending off against Bosnia.

    The USMNT eventually lost 4-1 to Belgium, with Henry claiming that Trump’s intervention and Fifa’s decision inspired the international team where he previously held a role as assistant coach.

    And Henry explained his stance clearly once again, telling anchor Rebecca Lowe: “What I said, I don't think people understood, when I raised Article 27, that was sarcasm, I thought people would understand that, but they didn't, so I'll say it again, I do agree with the fact that it wasn't a red, because if I was a player I wouldn't have accepted that, I don't agree with how they rescinded the red. What Fifa did wasn't right, it was the right thing in terms of not giving the red. It should have been a decision on the field, not after three or four days, I didn't agree with that at all.”

    Mike Jones8 July 2026 12:35

    Fifa set to begin negotiations over future World Cup rights

    Fifa will begin talks over broadcasting rights for the next World Cup in the next three months, reports CNBC.

    Netflix, Disney and YouTube are interested in the US TV rights packages.

    The total cost could reach $2bn. And the rights in English and Spanish could be combined.

    Mike Jones8 July 2026 12:25

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