History suggests European nations struggle at World Cups hosted outside their continent, with only Spain in 2010 and Germany in 2014 ever lifting the trophy away from home.
That record could well be broken this summer, with six of the eight quarter-finalists coming from Europe at the 2026 tournament in North America.
Belgium, England, France, Norway, Spain and Switzerland have all reached the last eight, joined by Argentina and Morocco as the only non-European representatives.
This marks the highest number of European sides to reach a World Cup quarter-final outside of Europe since 1994, underlining the continent’s overwhelming dominance this tournament.
The road to this point was not entirely smooth, as seven of the first ten European sides to play their opening group stage matches failed to win, raising early questions about form.
Heat and humidity across North American venues were widely discussed before the tournament, with several sides including England relocating to warmer training bases to acclimatise ahead of their opening fixtures.
After Belgium drew with Egypt, boss Rudi Garcia said: “Whether it is 10 degrees or 30 degrees, we should have done better,” while Switzerland coach Murat Yakin pointed to wastefulness rather than conditions following a 1-1 draw with Qatar.
European teams gathered momentum as the group stage progressed, ultimately recording 17 wins, 12 draws and seven losses against non-European opponents by the time the groups concluded.
England produced one of their most celebrated performances by handling altitude and a hostile Azteca crowd to defeat Mexico in the last 16.
“This has shown we have a team capable of winning the World Cup,” former England striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport after that win, adding: “The belief this will give to these players is huge.”
France navigated Paraguay’s physical approach to advance, while Belgium brushed aside co-hosts USA in front of an expectant crowd and will now face European champions Spain for a semi-final place.
Former England defender Matt Upson said on BBC One: “It was encouraging signs from Belgium. They are going to need to be good against what is a brilliant Spanish midfield.”
Europe’s strength in numbers is partly structural, given the continent receives 16 World Cup places, more than any other confederation, in the expanded 48-team format.
Five-time winners Brazil have already been eliminated, along with co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA, all of whom exited at the last-16 stage, further highlighting European dominance.
France entered the tournament as favourites and Kylian Mbappe has justified that billing, sitting among the Golden Boot contenders with seven goals to his name.
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy said before the tournament: “It’s hard to look past France with the firepower they have, when you think about extra time in hot weather against tired legs.”
Murphy also highlighted the depth available to Didier Deschamps, noting that “the likes of Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue can’t all start, but they can be gamechangers if they come on after 70 minutes in 30 degrees heat.”
Former France defender Gael Clichy said: “France, Spain and England are the three for me who will do well. Spain seem to win everything, at every age group, so of course they are up there, but being French I am going for them to win it.”
Norway have been the standout surprise package, returning to a World Cup for the first time since 1998 and benefiting hugely from Erling Haaland’s seven goals in the tournament so far.
Switzerland have also exceeded expectations, with their penalty shootout victory over Colombia sending them to a World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 1954.
“This is a historic moment,” said Murat Yakin. “We have reached the best ever for the Swiss team but the trip goes on.”
