We're heading towards the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and what a tournament it has been so far. There are just eight teams remaining in the competition and by the end of the weekend, we will be down to the last four!

The round of 16 had some incredible contests. England's win over Mexico at the Azteca will be remembered for ages, what an incredible football match. And then we had Egypt and Argentina play out another dramatic game.

I was sitting down watching that game in the hope of Lionel Messi taking a lead in the race for the golden boot. I thought Argentina would just steamroll Egypt. But wow, what a game it turned out to be. You could say Egypt were unlucky to lose that one.

Don't get me wrong, Argentina did an excellent job in terms of winning it 3-2 after going 2-0 down. But the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has yet again come into the spotlight for the decisions made during the game. I can understand why Egypt are disappointed about it, but let me tell you what I think of it all.

The foul on Lisandro Martinez in the build-up towards Egypt's disallowed goal is quite clear in my opinion. The player steps on Martinez's foot and the shirt is being pulled there. Mohamed Salah's penalty shout is touch and go for me. On another day, Egypt may have received the penalty. But the referee did not give a penalty and I don't think it was as clear and obvious for VAR to overturn it.

I fully understand Egypt's frustration but at the end of the day, what they should be looking at is that they were 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go and they blew it! You can have a go at VAR, you can have a go at the referee, but it's you that let three goals in. Egypt did a great job though, and they can be happy about it.

The round of 16 was also the end of the road at the FIFA World Cup for three of the greatest players in world football. All of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Salah were knocked out.

I didn't think Ronaldo did much in this World Cup. I couldn't believe he played that many minutes for Portugal! Roberto Martinez had to make a decision regarding his playing time and I was flabbergasted by how they kept Ronaldo on for so long. Eventually, it all fizzled out for Portugal.

Ronaldo brought absolutely nothing to the party in the game against Spain. I know it is sometimes hard to have a go at him because he's 41 and you can't expect him to be the player he once was. But that is when the coach must act. Martinez should have showed that he's in charge by bringing Goncalo Ramos on early. However, he did not do it and this tournament will go down as a disappointment for both Ronaldo and Portugal.

Neymar came on and scored a penalty for Brazil but we know he's nowhere near the standard he used to be at. The same goes for Salah, his legs have gone. That is the problem with age in football. Time catches up. Otherwise, we'd all be still playing!

That takes nothing away from the impact their careers have had in world football though. All three of them are massive heroes for their national teams. And irrespective of what happened at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there wouldn't be a kid in the world that won't want their careers. That is the biggest compliment I can give them.

Without further ado, let us dive straight into my FIFA World Cup quarter-final predictions.

You know what? I'm not as confident as I once was about France after the game against Paraguay! When I watched that game, I didn't see France opening up Paraguay even once in the first half.

Paraguay made it difficult for France. But even when teams usually sit back, France are able to carve them open. That did not happen in the previous round and I feel like a lot of teams can take heart from how Paraguay made it a tight game.

Morocco won't be as defensive as Paraguay, but out of all the potential opponents France could face from now until the final, they are possibly the likeliest to sit back. I was really impressed by Morocco in the first 30 minutes against Brazil. I thought they blew Brazil away with that performance early on. But that form does not stand for anything now. We know how Brazil fizzled out against Norway.

I think midfield is where this game could be won and lost. I don't believe France have the strongest midfield in the world. Imagine if they play a team like Spain in the semi-final, I don't think they will stand much of a chance with that midfield. It won't be as big an issue here against Morocco.

The only way I see Morocco hurting France is if they play like Egypt did against Argentina. They won't get too many opportunities and they won't open the game up against France. But if Morocco can be quick on the break and be decisive with the ball, they have a chance.

If France score two goals in this game, I don't expect Morocco to win it. So it is very important for Morocco to stay in the game and not let France take a two-goal advantage. I think that will be a hard ask and I expect France to prevail in the end.

Prediction: France 2-1 Morocco

Belgium surprised me with that performance against USA in the previous round. Obviously the debate around the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's suspension dominated the headlines heading into that contest.

I don't see the point in us talking about that decision now. Whatever I say, whatever any news reader says, what any footballer says, it does not matter now because it is done. The decision was made and there's no point discussing it further.

But my god, it felt like Belgium used all that as fuel to put their opponents to the sword. I know questions will be asked about whether Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku not being a part of the starting line-up in that game helped Belgium perform as a team. I have no doubt that they should play against Spain and I'll tell you why.

Players like De Bruyne can make things happen on the pitch and you've got to play them in big games. We saw that with Salah against Argentina. It seemed like he wasn't in the game and then he plays a big part in the counter-attack that led to the second goal.

So you have got to keep your X-factors on the pitch. I always say this, X-factors win tournaments and teams win leagues. Belgium should not leave De Bruyne and Doku out of their line-up to face Spain because there's no way they're winning without these two.

I'm still sticking by Spain as my favourites to win this game. I expect their midfield to dominate. They will keep the ball well and if the opponents can't get possession, how will they even score against Spain? There's no doubt in my mind that Spain are the better team here and I expect them to set up a semi-final with France.

Prediction: Spain 2-0 Belgium

I'd be shocked if England didn't win this football match! I know England rode their luck at times against Mexico. But considering the altitude factor and having a player sent off, I thought it was a brilliant win.

Man to man, they were outstanding. Even with the numerical disadvantage, England showed the fight and the grit needed to go past a tough opponent. That is why I think they will beat Norway here.

There is concern regarding the right-back position. Reece James injured, Djed Spence injured and Jarell Quansah got sent off in the last game. I know there are people talking about how Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been useful in this situation. But how many right-backs do you want to take?

It's like us sitting here now and if Harry Kane gets injured, Ollie Watkins gets injured and Ivan Toney gets sent off. Do we all then go, 'why didn't we take another centre-forward?'. The bottom line is that Tuchel does not fancy Trent as a defender and that will not change. So I think people should just stop talking about that now.

It will be interesting to see who plays right-back against Norway. I hope James is fit for this one because Antonio Nusa on that side will be a tricky customer. I like Nusa. He commits defenders and has a go at full-backs. Very decent player so he can hurt England on his day.

We will be coming up against better left-backs and left-wingers from now on at the FIFA World Cup. But it is pointless if we keep thinking about how we should have taken Trent. I'm a big fan of his, but Tuchel isn't. So we just go about with what we have.

People always talk about Erling Haaland, but I think Norway have been great as a team. They have had many players step up at crucial times. Martin Odegaard was excellent when he got on the ball against Brazil. Nusa has done well. Even the goalkeeper Orjan Nyland has produced some good saves. Sander Berge is another player that I like in that team.

Having said that, how many of these players get into the England team? I don't think many will and that is why England will be kicking themselves if they fail to win this clash.

The game will also pit two of the greatest strikers in the world against each other. If I had to choose between Haaland and Kane, I'd always go with the England captain. Kane is the better all-round player. Haaland is capable of scoring goals but in terms of building play and dropping deep and being a big part of the team, Kane is just superior.

If England stop Haaland, they win the game. But if Norway stop Kane, that does not mean they win. Keeping Haaland quiet will be tough but I just think England will still nick it. I'd like to think England win this in normal time as well. If it goes to extra-time, I'm not as bullish about us beating Norway. They must get the job done inside 90 minutes.

Prediction: Norway 1-2 England

When I look at Argentina, I don't think they gave enough respect to their opponents in the knockout rounds. I thought they were like, 'oh, we'll turn up and beat Cape Verde and Egypt'. It did not work out that way at all!

But fair play to them though. They were on their way out, just 15 minutes to go and they had to score three goals. And I salute them for scoring the goals and getting over the line against Egypt. Did they ride their luck? 100 per cent, yes. However, you must also tip your hat towards them for the performance.

Argentina needed these two games as a wake-up call. If they had gone on to beat Cape Verde three or four-nil and breezed past Egypt, they would have ended up in a situation where they are chasing the game in the semi-finals or the final. But now, they will be more careful.

What I like about Argentina is that they are very patient. They keep the ball and always believe they can find a way to turn things around. It's not frantic football even when they go behind. I don't see them having a problem against Switzerland because they are a top quality football team.

I must admit that Lionel Messi missing back-to-back penalties at the World Cup is just mind-blowing. You're talking about one of the greatest ever players to have played this game out of millions across the world and he can't score penalties!

It's just extraordinary. You're talking about a kick from 12 yards away, the goalkeeper has got to stay on the line and everything seems like it is in his favour. Yet, he just doesn't look like scoring from the spot! Messi looks nervous.

What I like about Messi is the fact that even when he misses a penalty, he never goes into hiding. He always wants the ball and asks for it too. I can't speak highly enough of him, but if Argentina get a penalty in the next round, should they let him take it? I know they will, but is he confident enough?

The best player I've seen in my life is Diego Maradona. That opinion does not change. But Messi is up there with him. He has such a huge influence on that team even at the age of 39. Everything goes through Messi. As long as he is on that pitch, Argentina will be confident of beating any team.

I don't think Switzerland will have the firepower to beat Argentina in this game. They are very mechanical and efficient. It worked against Colombia in the previous round. I thought Colombia were poor going forward in that game, but it won't be the same with Argentina here.

Switzerland are not great on the counter either. They don't have the kind of pace that could hurt Argentina on the break. I think Argentina will be super confident about winning this game.

Out of all the games in the quarter-finals, this is the one where I feel we have a clear winner. You can look at it and confidently say that Argentina will beat Switzerland. We saw it against Egypt, even when Argentina were not playing well, they were still creating chances. That is what Switzerland are up against in this game and I believe there is only one winner.

Prediction: Argentina 3-0 Switzerland

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