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With less than two weeks until the 2026 World Cup final, only the elite remain in contention.
Forty nations have already been eliminated, including all three tournament co-hosts, and it took countless tears, harsh words, and outright miracles to narrow the field down to the final eight.
Soccer's premier event continues to feature the sport's biggest names, among them Argentina's Lionel Messi, France's Kylian Mbappé, England's Harry Kane, and Spain's Lamine Yamal, with plenty more drama still to come.
Here, Sports Illustrated ranks the remaining nations still in the hunt.
Ranking Criteria
8. Switzerland
Switzerland has long been a side defined by underwhelming performances on soccer's biggest stage, yet they appear determined to change that story this summer. After a goalless draw through extra time, the Swiss knocked out South American giant Colombia on penalties to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954.
Argentina—led by Messi—will present a far more formidable challenge to keep off the scoresheet, however.
7. Belgium
The Red Devils may have dismantled the U.S. men's national team convincingly, but that result hardly compensates for the uninspiring displays they produced on the way to that match.
Stumbling through draws with Egypt and Iran in the group stage before scraping past Senegal in the round of 32 on sheer fortune, Belgium has been anything but reliable. Their prospects against a formidable Spanish side on Friday look bleak.
6. Norway
Making the quarterfinals after a 28-year absence from the tournament is already a remarkable achievement. Norway would be satisfied to exit at any stage from here, particularly given that star striker Erling Haaland himself believed his team had only a "very small" chance of toppling five-time world champion Brazil in the round of 16.
Despite his own skepticism, it was Haaland who ultimately secured their spot in the last eight. Their chances against England hinge entirely on how long Haaland's heroics can continue. He has already netted seven goals this summer and, fortunately for the Vikings, shows no signs of letting up.
5. Morocco
The Atlas Lions handled their round of 16 assignment with ease, thrashing Canada, and can enter the quarterfinals with genuine belief, particularly given their recent World Cup pedigree. They are chasing a second straight semifinal berth, but must first overcome France—the very team that crushed their hopes of reaching a historic World Cup final in Qatar 2022.
Anything short of a flawless performance against a fluid French side will result in elimination for Morocco.
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4. Argentina
Argentina have used up every last bit of luck imaginable. La Albiceleste, who barely edged past Cabo Verde in the round of 32, pulled off yet another miracle in the round of 16. With just 12 minutes remaining, they faced a mere 0.6% probability of advancing; yet they proceeded to score three consecutive goals to claim a stunning victory.
As ever, Messi was the catalyst. He set up the defending champions' opening goal to shift the momentum before netting the equalizer himself. Teammates celebrated by repeatedly hoisting their 39-year-old icon into the air.
When will this team's fortune finally expire? Perhaps never, as long as Messi continues performing at this level.
3. England
England came through the electric atmosphere of the Estadio Azteca, a feat few teams can boast, and that experience will serve them well heading into the quarterfinal clash with Norway.
That said, the Three Lions face a stern test. Center backs Ezri Konsa and Marc Guéhi were repeatedly troubled by Mexico's Raúl Jiménez and Julián Quiñones throughout the night. The damage Haaland could inflict is almost too frightening to contemplate.
2. Spain
Spain ended Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup aspirations with a late win over Portugal and will be equally confident of doing the same to Belgium.
La Roja is in outstanding form and has yet to concede a single goal on North American soil this summer, though they will need a bigger contribution from their gifted young talent Yamal to go all the way.
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1. France
Nothing seems capable of knocking this French juggernaut off its path toward a third straight World Cup final appearance.
Morocco looks set to be just another obstacle they navigate with ease.