Spain, Argentina, France and England have held FIFA's top four international spots for almost exactly two years. Now, they will face each other for the right to hoist the World Cup trophy: France versus Spain on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, followed by Argentina against England on Wednesday in Atlanta — then the winners' faceoff at Sunday's final in East Rutherford, N.J.

Billi looks back at the Round of 16 before moving onto to the four Quarterfinals, taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. England and Norway meet in the quarter finals of the World Cup on Saturday night in a battle between two sides who have just secured historic results.

The Three Lions had struggled in the early stages of the competition, but they produced one of their greatest ever performances at the Estadio Azteca in the early hours of Monday morning to knock out co-hosts Mexico. El Tri had lost just two of their previous 89 competitive matches at the imposing stadium but England found a way to get the job done. Norway’s last 16 victory was perhaps more impressive. The Scandinavian nation, with a population of around 5.6million, downed record champions Brazil 2-1 at the MetLife Stadium to reach the last eight of a World Cup for the first time, thanks to a pair of late goals from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

The winner of the clash are likely to face world champions Argentina, who are expected to get past Switzerland, especially with FIFA seemingly in their corner. The Argies needed an incredible comeback to see off Egypt, but were heavily aided by some very favourable and controversial officiating.

Despite his red card against Bosnia, FIFA have cleared Folarin Balogun to feature in the USA’s clash with Belgium on Monday night. It's one of the most disgraceful decisions in the history of football. 


From the Trump lead FIFA corruption, to the horrible and embarrassing fan chants, to the obnoxious and entitled takes on social media about how to "improve a game" Americans watch every 4 years, the WORLD NEEDS BELGIUM TO WIN TONIGHT.

Billi breaks down the first 4 World Cup Round of 16 matches, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, headlined by Mexico v England. Two late goals from captain Harry Kane spared England’s blushes against DR Congo but they will need to raise their levels significantly if they are to overcome co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in the last 16 on Sunday night. 


If England are at their best they should be able to beat Mexico but largely they have underwhelmed at the World Cup. They impressed in their opener against Croatia but then struggled to impose themselves against Ghana and Panama, before coming close to what would have been a humiliating defeat to DR Congo.In contrast, Mexico have probably improved with each game so they are the form team coming into this clash. El Tri also have the benefit of home advantage and this game will be played at altitude as the Azteca sits 7,200ft above sea level – the Mexican squad are used to playing in these conditions and England don’t have the time to adapt.

Billi breaks down his second set of selected games from the Round of 32. USA impressed during the group stages and the co-hosts will feel they have a chance to go far at the World Cup but they need to end a winless streak when they face Bosnia in the round of 32 on Wednesday night. A 3-2 defeat to Turkiye in the final batch of group games means the USA are winless in 12 games against European teams, with 10 defeats. They now haven’t managed a competitive win over a UEFA team since 2009 – when they upset Spain in the Confederations Cup. That run will be a concern for head coach Mauricio Pochettino, but not something clueless plastic US soccer fans are aware of, as they continue to blindly look past their opponents.

The Round of 32 is set and Billi breaks down 4 selected games from Monday and Tuesday's slate. France reached the final of the World Cup four years ago and they look good value to reach the same stage of the competition if their first three games are anything to go by.They topped Group I after winning all three matches, as they proved too much for Norway, Senegal and Iraq. Their reward is a clash with Graham Potter’s Sweden, who finished third in Group F on four points. Sweden hammered Tunisia 5-1 before then losing 5-1 to the Netherlands and they should come unstuck against France. Didier Deschamps’ team have scored three goals or more in four consecutive matches and they should put Sweden to the sword in East Rutherford.

Colombia and Portugal meet at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night in a game that will decide who claims top spot in World Cup Group K.The South Americans have the advantage after two wins, while Ronaldo and Portugal have four points on the board and have to win to move ahead of their opponents and avoid Spain in the Round of 16.

The key games show looks at five of the early key games from the third phase of the group stage, including matches involving Canada, Brazil and the clash between France and Norway, which is a straight shootout for top spot in Group I, as two of the world’s best strikers go head-to-head in Foxborough on Friday. Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe already have four goals apiece in their race for the World Cup Golden Ball, with their sensational displays contributing to two wins apiece for their nations.

The key games show looks at five of the early key games from the second phase of the group stage, including matches involving Argentina, France and England. The USA put in a blistering display to beat Paraguay 4-1 in front of a home Los Angeles crowd and the Star and Stripes will be hoping for more of the same against Australia.

The opening round saw Argentina legend Lionel Messi made history as he became the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick as La Celeste thrashed Algeria in their opener, and he is expected to make the difference again as their title defence continues against Austria.The 38-year-old has scored 120 goals for his country and has found the net nine times in his last seven appearances for Inter Miami and Argentina. His hat-trick against Algeria took him level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading goalscorer in the World Cup, and he looks good value to take another record for himself in pursuit of his first-ever World Cup Golden Boot award.

The key games show looks at five of the early key games from the second phase of the group stage, including matches involving the USA, Brazil and Germany. The USA put in a blistering display to beat Paraguay 4-1 in front of a home Los Angeles crowd and the Star and Stripes will be hoping for more of the same against Australia.

In contrast to the US, Brazilian fans wouldn't have been happy with what they saw in their opener. Aside from a stunning goal by Vinicius Junior, there was little sign of Brazilian swagger in their 1-1 draw with Morocco. The African side were the stronger team in the first half, before largely controlling the second. That draw has raised the stakes as the five-time winners arrive in Philadelphia to take on Haiti. The battle for top spot could now come down to goal difference, so Carlo Ancelotti will hope his side can dial up their intensity and put up an impressive performance against the group minnows.