Image source, AFP via Getty Images
Historically, European teams have struggled to perform well in World Cups held outside Europe.
Since 1930, European teams have won the World Cup outside Europe only twice: Spain in 2010 in South Africa, and Germany four years later in Brazil.
However, in 2026, another European team is expected to join this list, as six of the eight quarterfinalists are European sides.
These teams are Belgium, England, France, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland. Argentina and Morocco complete the list.
It is the first time since 1994 that so many European teams have reached the quarterfinals in a World Cup held outside Europe.
How Strong Are the European Teams?
In the current football World Cup, European teams have delivered remarkable performances, although their slow starts in the group stages raised some concerns. Out of ten European teams playing in the tournament at the start, seven failed to win their first group match.
Before the competition began, the intense heat of North America was a major talking point, and many teams, including England, had acclimatized by settling in cooler regions before their opening matches.
However, some coaches attributed the slow starts to the teams’ performances rather than the conditions.
After Belgium drew with Egypt, team leader Rudy Garcia commented, “Whether it’s 10 degrees or 30 degrees, we should have performed better.”
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s coach Murat Yakin said after their 1-1 draw with Qatar that their poor start was not due to conditions but rather a lack of goal-scoring ability.
Nevertheless, the European teams gained momentum and by the end of the group phase, they recorded 17 wins, 12 draws, and only 7 losses against non-European opponents.
Image source, IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters
Several European nations have also shown strong performances in the knockout stages despite challenges.
England’s intense match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium drew much attention, as they faced challenges like altitude and a hostile crowd.
Yet, they overcame these obstacles, progressing to the next round and delivering excellent performances.
“This proves we have a World Cup-winning capable team. This victory will boost the players’ confidence tremendously,” former England striker Wayne Rooney commented after their win.
France reached the last eight after overcoming Paraguay’s ‘invisible tactics,’ while Belgium comfortably defeated the United States, despite high expectations from their home fans, to reach the round of 16.
Belgium will now face the European champions Spain to compete for a semi-final spot.
“We have seen encouraging signs from Belgium. They will need to perform well against Spain’s excellent midfield,” said former England defender Matt Upson.
How Expected Was This Outcome?
Europe’s strong presence was always anticipated, as they have been allocated 16 spots in the World Cup — more than any other continent.
Amid a 48-team format and additional knockout rounds, their continued dominance is impressive.
Additionally, five-time champion Brazil was eliminated, and co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States all exited before the round of 16.
UEFA teams also dominate FIFA rankings. Of the top eight ranked teams, five are European, and four of these have advanced to the last eight. Portugal, ranked seventh, was eliminated in the round of 16 by Spain.
France began the World Cup as strong contenders and have lived up to expectations so far.
Image source, Reuters
France’s striker Kylian Mbappé is currently among the top contenders for the ‘Golden Boot’ with seven goals.
Many experts had predicted before the tournament that France would be strong contenders.
“Considering France’s attacking prowess, winning even in extra time against tired opponents under hot weather seems achievable,” evaluated England’s former midfielder Danny Murphy.
“Ryan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, and Ncolas Dostal may not start but if they come onto the pitch in 30-degree heat after 70 minutes, they could significantly change the game’s direction.”
“I believe France, Spain, and England are the three teams to watch in this World Cup,” said France’s former defender Gaël Clichy.
“Spain is winning everything at all age levels, which puts them at the top, but as a Frenchman, I support France.”
Surprise Packages
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock
Without the presence of France, Spain, and England at this point, the European dominance would have been even more surprising, but some European teams have exceeded expectations.
Norway, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, is making the most of its opportunity, led by Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City striker has scored seven goals so far and hopes to add more against England on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Switzerland has also performed admirably. Showing composure under difficult conditions, they advanced to the last 16 with a penalty shootout victory over Colombia.
With this win, Murat Yakin’s team have reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954. They now face a tough challenge against defending champions Argentina.
“This is a historic moment. We have achieved the best performance ever for a Swiss team at the World Cup, but the journey continues,” Yakin said.
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