History was made, and this time it was Morocco that wrote it.

The Atlas Lions advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup by eliminating Canada with a resounding 3-0 victory, becoming the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals in two consecutive tournaments. This is more than just a match result; it's the continuation of a much larger story. Morocco, which hadn't even qualified for a World Cup since 1998 before 2018, experienced an unprecedented rise in football history over the last four years. In 2022 in Qatar, they topped their group and reached the semifinals, achieving something no other African team had ever done. They didn't stop there; they set a historic 19-match unbeaten run, won the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup, and also became champions of the Africa Cup of Nations that same year.

The architect of this latest success is Mohamed Ouahbi, who took over the national team in 2026 and previously coached Morocco's U20 and U23 squads. At the heart of the team is Paris Saint-Germain's left-back Achraf Hakimi, who has increased the national team's goal tally to 12, while in midfield, Bayern Munich's Ismael Saibari has emerged as the tournament's surprise star and is Morocco's top scorer. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has also been a cornerstone of the defense with seven crucial saves in five matches. In a post-match statement, coach Ouahbi said this team is not afraid of history, they are here to make history.

The quarter-final race continues at full speed. A real giant match is next: five-time champions Brazil face Norway in New Jersey on Sunday. Brazil narrowly advanced to the round of 16 with a 2-1 victory over Japan, thanks to a late goal – their first comeback win in a knockout match since 2002. Norway, meanwhile, secured their first round of 16 victory in 28 years with a 2-1 win against Ivory Coast, also thanks to a late goal from Erling Haaland.

The story of this match is actually hidden in the encounter between Haaland and Vinicius Junior. The Norwegian star is in the middle of the Golden Boot race with five goals in the tournament, while the Brazilian star is the driving force of the attack with four goals and one assist. Interestingly, Norway has never lost to Brazil in their four previous encounters, with two wins and two draws, including the unforgettable 2-1 victory in the 1998 World Cup group stage. But Brazil is struggling with injuries, with Raphinha and Lucas Paqueta unavailable, severely limiting Ancelotti's midfield options.

The odds give Brazil a 53.6% chance of winning and Norway a 22.4% chance, with the remainder going to extra time. Will the experience of the five-time champions prevail, or will Haaland once again be a last-minute hero? The answer will be revealed on the pitch shortly.

The winner will face the winner of the Mexico-England match in Miami in the quarter-finals. Make your prediction now via Gate Polymarket.

https://www.gate.com/competition/road-to-champion

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