Europe’s dominance of this World Cup has been laid bare, with six of the eight quarter-finalists, 75 percent, coming from UEFA. It is the highest number of European nations to reach this stage of a World Cup held outside Europe since USA 1994, when seven European sides made the last eight.
France, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England and Switzerland make up UEFA’s contingent in the quarter-finals, leaving just Morocco flying the flag for CAF and Argentina representing CONMEBOL as the only non-European sides left in the competition.
75% – Six of the eight quarter-finalists at the 2026 World Cup are from UEFA, the highest number of European nations at this stage of a WC held outside Europe since 1994 (7 in the USA).
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The imbalance underlines a tournament shaped heavily by European strength in depth, even as Morocco’s run continues to be one of the standout stories, and Argentina look to defend their title as the lone South American challengers left standing.
With the quarter-finals set to begin on Thursday, Europe’s grip on the tournament will face its first real test as France take on Morocco, while Spain, Belgium, Norway and England battle it out among themselves for a place in the last four.
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
