A note before you read: The verdicts and predictions here are editorial opinion, built from match results, current form, and live market odds as of July 8. They are not betting advice or guarantees. Odds move constantly, and the quarter-finals bracket is built for surprises. Do your own research, and never stake more than you can afford to lose.
The Round of 16 Was a Bloodbath for the Favorites
This is the round that separates the pretenders from the last eight, and it was ruthless.
Norway produced the shock of the tournament. Norway beat five-time champions Brazil 2-1, with Haaland scoring twice in the final ten minutes, and though Neymar pulled one back from the penalty spot in stoppage time as a parting gift before his international retirement, it was only a consolation. It sends Norway into the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, with Haaland now on seven goals for the summer.
Spain settled the Iberian derby the hard way. Mikel Merino broke a scoreless deadlock in stoppage time to win it 1-0, putting Spain into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, the year they last won the World Cup. For the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who had said this would be his last World Cup, it was the end of the road.
England survived a classic. They held on to beat Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca despite playing much of the second half with ten men after Jarell Quansah was sent off, with the hosts throwing everything at them late but unable to find a third. Belgium, meanwhile, were brutal, dismantling the United States 4-1. France eased past Paraguay 1-0 behind Kylian Mbappe. Argentina needed a comeback and some VAR drama to edge Egypt 3-2. And Switzerland ground out a scoreless draw with Colombia before going through on penalties.
All Three Host Nations Are Going Home
The story that will define this round is the collapse of the co-hosts.
Morocco beat Canada 3-0 to become the first African side to reach back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals, and by the quirk of the schedule, Canada were the first home team knocked out. Mexico followed at the Azteca against England. Then the United States were taken apart by Belgium.
For a tournament built around three home nations, having none of them reach the last eight is a gut punch for the organizers and a windfall for anyone who backed the road teams. It also blows the bracket wide open.
The Survival Campaign Rolls Into the Quarter-Finals
The ApeX World Cup Survival campaign is now entering the phase where streaks live and die on single moments.
The leaderboard has grown to 428 participants. Top spot belongs to a player sitting on 50,000 points, built from 50 correct predictions and a win streak of 32. That is the number everyone else is chasing.
Here is the hard truth of the quarter-finals: there are no easy games left. The upset rate climbs, the favorites get shakier, and one wrong call can wipe out a streak that took the whole group stage to build. Norway just proved that nothing is safe. If you have been sitting out, the last eight is a high-leverage place to jump in, since every correct call now is worth more as the field shrinks.
The prizes make it worth the risk. The points shop is stacked with exclusive World Cup rewards, and there is still USDT on the table:
A Messi-signed Argentina jersey or football
The official World Cup 2026 LEGO trophy set
A PlayStation 5 and FC 26 bundle
Plenty more, with additional USDT still up for grabs
Redeem your points, chase the leaderboard, and there is something to play for on every front.
The Quarter-Finals Give Us Four Heavyweight Ties
Four matches, eight teams, and a semi-final place on the line in each. These are the ties.
France vs Morocco (Boston, July 9)
A rematch of the 2022 semi-final, which France won 2-0. France, ranked third in the world, carry Mbappe and a title-favorite look; Morocco, ranked seventh, arrive on the back of a second straight deep run and will fancy another upset.
Spain vs Belgium (Los Angeles, July 10)
he pick of the round on paper. Spain have looked like a genuine contender all tournament and just knocked out Portugal. Belgium have quietly found their gears and cruised past the USA. Winner takes a big step toward the final.
Norway vs England (Miami, July 11)
The one nobody wants. England will still enter as favorites but will feel anything but confident, having scraped past DR Congo and then survived Mexico, while red-hot Norway and their seven-goal Haaland will like their chances against the Three Lions.
Argentina vs Switzerland (Kansas City, July 11)
The defending champions against a stubborn Swiss side that has made a habit of hanging around. Lionel Messi dragged Argentina past Egypt; he will need to be at it again against a team happy to sit deep and strike late.
Where the Predictions Are Leaning
Here is how the models and markets read the last eight. Treat it as the consensus, not a guarantee, because this round has already buried a few of those.
France vs Morocco: France favored, in the region of 60% to advance. Morocco are the live underdog after knocking out Canada without conceding.
Spain vs Belgium: Spain favored at around 59%, and several analysts still rate them the tournament favorite.
Norway vs England: England edge it at roughly 51%, but this is the closest call of the round, and Norway are the most dangerous underdog left.
Argentina vs Switzerland: Argentina favored near 56%, with Switzerland the classic low-block threat.
If you want a shortlist for your Survival picks, the models lean France, Spain, and Argentina as the safer calls, while Norway vs England is the coin-flip where a bold contrarian pick could make or break your streak.
Keep Your Streak Alive
The Round of 16 was carnage. It sent home the hosts, the record champions, and a legend. The quarter-finals will be tighter, tenser, and even less forgiving.
Lock in your predictions, protect your streak, and claim your rewards before the last eight becomes the last four.
No KYC. No custody. Just your read against the world.
Join World Cup Survival on ApeX, or read the full points system, streak bonuses, and terms here.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before investing.
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