The 2026 World Cup quarterfinalists are officially set: France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland have advanced. None of the teams standing on this stage got here by luck—every match will be a tough battle. However, if I had to predict the ultimate champion, I still cast my vote for France.

France's greatest strength is not a single superstar, but a balanced squad. From the attacking power up front, to midfield control, to the big-game experience of the backline, there are virtually no glaring weaknesses. The deeper the World Cup goes, the less it's about flashy offense and more about who makes fewer mistakes—and France is one of the lowest-error teams among the quarterfinalists.

Facing Morocco, France's biggest test will be how to break down a compact defense. Morocco possesses strong will 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 rhythm of the match is likely to fall into France's familiar territory.