Best World Cup 2026 quarter-final bets after France win
For the remaining cuartos final Mundial 2026 matches, ESPN analyst Victoria Matiash flags Spain to keep a clean sheet against Belgium (+145), over 10.5 corners in Norway vs England, and a combined Argentina-Switzerland offsides parlay (+480). France already punched the first semifinal ticket by beating Morocco 2-0 on Thursday. With only three quarter-finals left, the bracket is narrowing fast—and the betting board is shifting with it.
Key Takeaways
- France is the first semifinalist after a 2-0 win over Morocco; Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored despite Mbappé missing a first-half penalty.
- ESPN's top remaining picks: Spain clean sheet (+145), over 10.5 corners in Norway-England, and Argentina/Switzerland offsides combo (+480).
- Spain vs Belgium, Norway vs England, and Argentina vs Switzerland complete the cuartos final Mundial 2026 slate through Saturday.
- Semifinals are set for July 14-15 in Dallas and Atlanta; the final is July 19 in New Jersey.
- Pre-match France props like Rahimi anytime scorer (+350) and Morocco over 15 fouls (+330) did not land as Les Bleus took control.
What happened in the first World Cup 2026 quarter-final?
France vs Morocco opened the round Thursday in Boston, a rematch of the 2022 semifinal. Sports Illustrated reported that Les Bleus dominated but saw Kylian Mbappé miss a first-half penalty saved by Yassine Bounou. Mbappé redeemed himself with a second-half strike, and Ousmane Dembélé added a counter-attacking goal five minutes later for a 2-0 final.
Diario AS confirmed France as the first semifinalist and noted that Morocco's elimination ended Africa's last hope in the tournament. Mbappé was substituted with 15 minutes left after an apparent muscle issue—a subplot worth watching before semifinals.
Which quarter-final bets does ESPN like most?
In ESPN Deportes' quarter-final betting guide, Victoria Matiash trimmed the menu to a few high-conviction plays across the three remaining ties.
Spain vs Belgium (Friday, Los Angeles): Matiash likes Spain to keep a clean sheet in 90 minutes at +145. Spain has not conceded in five World Cup 2026 matches and leads the tournament in ball recoveries (252), while Belgium's wins came against New Zealand, a fading Senegal side, and a disorganized United States.
Norway vs England (Saturday, Miami): Matiash calls this the best bet of the round—over 10.5 total corners at +150. England averages 6.2 corners per game; Norway 4.4. Both sides play on the front foot in a tie that could decide who faces Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals.
Argentina vs Switzerland (Saturday, Kansas City): A combined +480 parlay—Argentina 3+ offsides (+100) and Switzerland 2+ offsides (+190). Argentina averages 2.8 offsides per match; Switzerland exactly 2.0. Matiash frames it as an attractive offer regardless of who wins outright.
Who is still alive in the cuartos final Mundial 2026 bracket?
Per Diario AS, eight teams reached the quarters after octavos eliminated Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and hosts United States among others. France is through; Spain or Belgium will join them Friday; England or Norway and Argentina or Switzerland follow Saturday.
Sports Illustrated lists pending semifinal slots as Spain/Belgium, England/Norway and Argentina/Switzerland, with semifinals on July 14-15 and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. For broader tournament context, see our Longevity & Biohacking coverage hub.
Did the France favorite cash for bettors?
Before kickoff, Matiash highlighted Morocco value in Soufiane Rahimi anytime scorer (+350) and Morocco committing more than 15 fouls (+330)—the Atlas Lions lead the foul count with 80, about 16 per game. Neither prop cashed as France controlled the second half after Mbappé broke the deadlock and Dembélé added insurance.
France's advance validates backing the bracket favorite on the left side. Bettors now pivot to whether Spain's defensive streak extends against Belgium, whether corner volume spikes in Miami, and whether Argentina and Switzerland hit the offsides thresholds Matiash expects in Kansas City.