World Cup power rankings: The 8 quarterfinalists, from title favorite to long shot

Key Points:

• The World Cup quarterfinals feature eight teams, including four former champions (Argentina, England, France, Spain) and four teams aiming to become new winners this century, with Europe dominating the lineup.
• France is ranked the favorite to win due to their strong offense and control in matches, despite some underwhelming expected goal metrics, while Spain is second, praised for their defensive solidity but questioned for offensive balance.
• Argentina, despite a challenging path and some tough matches, holds third place thanks to their experienced squad and favorable bracket, with England and Norway following due to their mix of talent and recent performances.
• Morocco and Switzerland are notable for their historic quarterfinal appearances, with Morocco being the first African nation to reach two quarterfinals and Switzerland breaking a 72-year drought, though both face tough upcoming matches.
• Belgium, despite a strong Round of 16 win, is ranked eighth due to injuries and a difficult path ahead, showing high talent but limited chances to win the tournament compared to the top contenders.