The quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup are officially set, with France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland securing their spots. No team standing on this stage made it this far by luck; every match will be a hard-fought battle. However, if I were to predict the ultimate champion, I would still cast my vote for France.

France's biggest advantage is not any single star player, but their well-balanced lineup. From the attacking threat up front, to the midfield control, to the tournament experience in defense, there are almost no obvious weaknesses. The deeper the World Cup goes, the less it's about flashy offense and the more it's about who makes fewer mistakes. And France is one of the teams with the lowest error rate among the quarterfinalists.

Facing Morocco, France's biggest test will be how to break down a compact defense. Morocco has strong willpower and high tactical discipline, but France has more players who can change the course of the game. As long as they can score first, the tempo of the match will likely enter the familiar rhythm that France thrives in.