Only 8 teams remain in the 2026 World Cup.

It's disappointing that the Korean national team was eliminated so quickly, but seeing the quarterfinal matchups is truly exhilarating.

This quarterfinal is a direct clash between 'traditional powerhouses with championship experience' and 'underdog challengers aiming for their first trophy.'

Traditional Powerhouses vs. Wolf-like Challengers

The quarterfinals consist of 6 European countries, 1 South American country, and 1 African country. Interestingly, it's a perfectly balanced matchup. The line of former champions seeking the sweet taste of victory again is set against the line of challengers dreaming of their first trophy.

• Champions: France (2 times), Spain (1 time), England (1 time), Argentina (3 times)
• First-time contenders: Morocco, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland

Quick Note! Key Soccer Facts

Argentina has already won three championships in 1978, 1986, and 2022 in Qatar. Therefore, if they win this time, it will be the first back-to-back championship in history, earning them their fourth star. Messi is truly the GOAT. He is literally reaching the divine level of soccer.

Quarterfinals by the Numbers: What Do Supercomputers Predict?

The current predictions for the final championship probabilities from overseas are intriguing. The probabilities predicted at the completion of the quarterfinal matchups are as follows.

Intense Big Matches, Exciting Game Information

France vs. Morocco (10th) / Spain vs. Belgium

This is a rematch of the last tournament's semifinals. Will history repeat itself?

France won 2-0 last time, but can Morocco succeed in revenge?

Spain and Belgium have an even record of 1 win and 1 loss, so a fierce battle is expected.

Argentina vs. Switzerland

Switzerland has reached the quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years, but Argentina has never lost to Switzerland on the World Cup stage.

The key will be whether Messi's experience can quell Switzerland's storm.

England vs. Norway

This is likely the match fans are most looking forward to. The Premier League's top scorers, Harry Kane (England) and Erling Haaland (Norway), will face off in a single-elimination match.

Norway's Viking warriors, who have made it to the finals for the first time in 28 years and defeated Brazil, are on a roll.

Who Will Win the 'Golden Boot'? The Battle for Top Scorer Among the Giants

Depending on the results of the quarterfinal matches, someone will have to stop their scoring streak. The current scoring rankings are truly on the border between the human and divine realms.

• Lionel Messi (Argentina): 8 goals (sole leader)
• Kylian Mbappé (France): 7 goals
• Erling Haaland (Norway): 7 goals
• Harry Kane (England): 6 goals

After adding goals in the round of 16, Messi has surged ahead as the sole leader, while his younger counterparts are fiercely chasing him.

Especially in the matchup between Haaland and Kane, the losing team's player will be eliminated from the race for top scorer, so the pressure is on both players.

After the matches, England fans will passionately sing Oasis's 'Wonderwall,' while Norwegian players will perform the 'Viking Boat Rowing' ceremony with their fans, creating a touching moment.

Regardless of the outcome, it's this romance that makes us set everything aside to watch soccer.

Which team do you predict will win?

I'm really curious to see how far the monster Haaland's storm will go. Let's make sure to catch the quarterfinals this weekend.