"Stop Messi's coronation" ... Mbappé and Haaland open the quarterfinals from hell

The quarterfinal lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which for the first time featured 48 teams and electrified North America, has finally been revealed. As the brutal knockout format gradually weeds out the upsets, the true survivors who have cleared the high bar of the elimination rounds are now entering the final countdown toward the world’s biggest football crown.
The last two teams to secure quarterfinal spots were defending champion Argentina and Switzerland.
In the round of 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on the 8th, Argentina trailed Egypt 2-0 until the 34th minute of the second half and appeared headed for defeat. But it staged a stunning comeback, scoring three goals in the remaining time to win 3-2. Star Lionel Messi struggled throughout the match under intense marking and even missed a penalty, but he delivered a brilliant solo performance at the end with one goal and one assist. Thanks to Messi’s heroics, Argentina escaped the brink of collapse and kept its bid for a second straight title alive.
In the final match in Vancouver, Switzerland and Colombia battled through 120 minutes, including extra time, to a 0-0 draw. Switzerland then prevailed 4-3 in a nerve-racking penalty shootout, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years since the 1954 tournament it hosted. Switzerland’s previous best quarterfinal finishes came in the 1934, 1938 and 1954 tournaments, and this victory gave it a chance to chase a new milestone: its first-ever semifinal appearance.
With their arrival, the quarterfinal picture has been reduced to one of overwhelming European dominance. France, which reached the final in the last two tournaments, leads the way, while Norway, England, Spain, Belgium and Switzerland bring the total to six European nations still alive in the bracket. Outside Europe, Argentina stands alone for South America, while Morocco, the "sandstorm" team from Africa, has reached the quarterfinals for the second straight tournament and continues to show its strength. Compared with the previous Qatar World Cup, Europe has one more team and South America one fewer. By the bracket setup, at least two of the four semifinal spots are already guaranteed to go to European teams.
The Golden Boot race for the tournament’s top scorer is also expected to add even more heat to the quarterfinals. Messi currently leads the scoring chart with eight goals, but Erling Braut Haaland of Norway and Kylian Mbappé of France, tied for second with seven, are right on his heels. Harry Kane of England, who sits fourth with six goals, is also looking for a late surge. In particular, Haaland, the goal machine who led Norway to its first-ever quarterfinals, and Kane, England’s finisher, will meet head-on in Miami. Beyond them, Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain, Ousmane Dembélé of France and Jude Bellingham of England, each with four goals, remain dangerous dark horses who could still spark a dramatic turnaround depending on their teams’ tournament runs.
The quarterfinals, which promise a true battle of stars, will all be held in the United States. The action begins on the 10th in Boston with a rematch of France and Morocco, who met in the semifinals of the Qatar World Cup. On the 11th, Spain and Belgium will face off in Los Angeles for the third time in World Cup history.
Then on the 12th, Norway and England will meet for the first time in World Cup finals history in Miami, while Argentina and Switzerland will fight for a semifinal ticket in Kansas City. Argentina and France, who produced an all-time classic in the final of the last Qatar World Cup, can only meet again in the championship match.
Jeon Sang-il, fnnews