ByJoe Bradshaw

BBC Sport senior journalist

This expanded World Cup has already produced some epic games - and the good news is the line-up for the quarter-finals is seriously intriguing.

Six European sides plus one each from Africa and South America will attempt to get to within a game of the final in four compelling matches starting on Thursday.

All four ties have plenty of interest - and happily all but the last one kicks off at a sociable hour.

So what can we look forward to in the four quarter-finals? This is your guide to the last eight.

2022 semi-final rematch - with a difference

France v Morocco, Atlanta Stadium, Thursday 21:00 BST

What to watch out for: While Morocco's run to the last four in Qatar was a surprise, this side contending in the United States are much more than plucky underdogs.

Against Canada last Saturday, the Africa Cup of Nations' champions (pending an appeal by Senegal after a controversial final in January), fielded just four of the side that lost in the semi-final to France four years ago.

They play with dynamism and a swagger, and will be France's sternest test so far.

For the 2022 runners-up, only three of the side that played in that semi-final started Saturday's win over Paraguay. The emergence of centre-back William Saliba and creative maestro Michael Olise are among the refresh for Didier Deschamps' side since then.

Kylian Mbappe is still the star turn and will continue his bid to pip Argentina's Lionel Messi to both the Golden Boot and title of all-time top scorer in World Cup tournaments.

Key stats: Half of France's World Cup defeats this century have been inflicted by African teams (three out of six).

Morocco have not lost in their past 34 matches, but they have never beaten France, who have won seven in a row and 11 of their past 12 matches.

How to follow: Listen to full BBC Radio 5 Live commentary on BBC Sounds and follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Attack v defence - can Belgium's forwards finally breach Spain?

Spain v Belgium, Los Angeles Stadium, Friday 20:00 BST

What to watch out for: Belgium's 13 goals are the third-highest tally at this World Cup (behind Argentina and France's 14), and they have cut loose against New Zealand, Senegal and USA in their past three games.

Romelu Lukaku might not be super-svelte but he has scored three goals off the bench, at an average of one every 67 minutes, while Arsenal's Leandro Trossard has served up two goals and two assists.

Spain will, obviously, be a significantly harder test. They are yet to concede at this tournament, and their six straight clean sheets - including their final game at the 2022 finals - is the longest run by any side in World Cup history.

In their matches so far, they have averaged an expected goals against of just 0.3 - the lowest by any team since records began in 1966.

Key stats: Under Luis de la Fuente, Spain have progressed from all six of their World Cup or European Championship knockout games. This is their first quarter-final since winning the South Africa tournament in 2010.

Spain are unbeaten against Belgium in 11 appearances (won nine, drawn two). Belgium must hope history repeats itself, after they beat Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals of Mexico '86.

How to follow: Watch live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, plus listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary on BBC Sounds and follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Kane v Haaland - a striker duel for the ages

Norway v England, Miami Stadium, Saturday 22:00 BST

What to watch out for: Norway goal machine Erling Haaland has scored seven goals in four games at the World Cup and was at his clinical best in netting twice to knock out five-time winners Brazil in the last 16.

The Manchester City striker has 62 goals in 54 internationals - an average of one every 71 minutes. He is also on a run of scoring in14 consecutive games for his country, with 27 goals in that time.

However, lurking just one goal behind Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot is England captain Harry Kane, whose penalty against Mexico proved the winner in a World Cup classic.

The Bayern Munich forward, 32, scored more goals for club and country (73) than anyone else in European football in 2025-26 and has continued that form in North America.

With 14, he has become England's all-time leading goalscorer at World Cups and looks in shape to help himself to more in this quarter-final.

Key stats: England will participate in their 11th World Cup quarter-final - the third-highest number behind Brazil and Germany (both on 14). England, however, have only won three of their games at this stage.

By contrast, Norway have only qualified for four World Cups and this is the first time they have ever reached the quarter-finals of a major tournament. They have done it the hard way by scoring and conceding in all of their games so far. Only West Germany in 1954 have reached a World Cup semi-final with such a record.

How to follow: Listen to full BBC Radio 5 Live commentary on BBC Sounds and follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Can Argentina keep finding a way?

Argentina v Switzerland, Kansas City Stadium, Sunday 02:00 BST

What to watch out for: This will be the third successive knockout game where Argentina are clear favourites - but so far it has been far from smooth progress for the reigning champions.

Pushed to extra time by minnows Cape Verde in the last 32, they then somehow produced the latest comeback in World Cup history in the next round, with vanquished opponents Egypt left furious and claiming "injustice".

Under Murat Yakin, Switzerland have proved obdurate opponents and have their own entertainer in 20-year-old Johan Mazambi, although he missed their penalty shootout victory over Colombia through injury. This is their first appearance in a World Cup quarter-final since 1954 and might fancy their chances.

Key stat: For all his glorious statistics, Messi added an unwanted one on Tuesday when he became the first player to miss two penalties at a World Cup.

His later goal did take him clear of Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot with eight, however.

How to follow: Listen to full BBC Radio 5 Live commentary on BBC Sounds and follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

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