World Cup 2026: Why are European teams doing so well?

Switzerland are into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954

Historically speaking, European teams don't do well at World Cups held outside of the continent.

Only twice since 1930 have they triumphed at such tournaments - Spain winning in South Africa in 2010 and Germany in Brazil four years later.

But there is a strong chance another country could be added to that list in 2026, with six of the eight teams in quarter-finals from Europe.

Those are Belgium, England, France, Norway, Spain and Switzerland, with Argentina and Morocco completing the line up.

This is the most European sides to have reached the last eight at a World Cup held outside of Europe since 1994.

Just how strong have European teams been?

Sides from Europe have really built up a head of steam as this World Cup has gone on, but there were some eyebrows raised at their initial slow start as seven of the first 10 European sides to play their first group stage games failed to win.

The heat in North America had been a talking point before the tournament got under way with a number of sides - including England - basing themselves in hot areas to acclimatise ahead of their opening fixtures.

But few managers pointed their finger at the conditions for their slow starts.

After Belgium kicked off with a draw 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 his side's wastefulness rather than the conditions after beginning with a 1-1 draw with Qatar.

But eventually European teams really got into their stride and by the end of the group stage there were 17 wins, 12 draws and seven losses for European teams v non-European teams.

In the knockouts, some of the European nations have also impressed when dealing with adversity.

Much was made of England's difficult trip to the Azteca to face Mexico in the last-16, where they had to handle altitude and a hostile crowd, but they dealt with both to produce one of their most impressive battling displays to progress.

"This has shown we have a team capable of winning the World Cup," former England striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport after that win.

"The belief this will give to these players his huge."

Meanwhile, France dealt with Paraguay's 'dark arts' to progress to the last eight while Belgium handled an expectant home crowd to brush aside co-hosts USA in their last-16 tie. They will next face European champions Spain for a place in the semi-finals.

"It was encouraging signs from Belgium," former England defender Matt Upson said on BBC One.

"They are going to need to be good against what is a brilliant Spanish midfield."

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But there was always going to be plenty of European teams?

Yes, Europe were always likely to have a strong representation at this stage of the tournament given they are awarded 16 places for the World Cup - more than any other nation.

However, with the format expanded to 48 teams and an extra knockout round to navigate, it is still impressive that they dominated while five-time winners Brazil were knocked out and tournament co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA all went out in the last 16.

European teams do also dominate the Fifa world rankings with five of the top eight from Europe and four of those sides reaching the last eight. Portugal, ranked seventh, were knocked out by Spain in an all-European last-16 tie.

France started this tournament as World Cup favourites and they are living up to expectations so far, with striker Kylian Mbappe among those in Golden Boot contention with seven goals.

They were also many BBC pundits' favourites to lift the trophy before the World Cup got under way.

"It's hard to look past France with the firepower they have, when you think about extra time in hot weather against tired legs," former England midfielder Danny Murphy said in his prediction.

"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."

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It would probably be more of a surprise if there was no France, Spain, England reaching this stage of the competition.

But there have been a couple of European teams excelling beyond expectations.

Norway are making the most of their return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, helped by Erling Haaland shining on the international stage.

The Manchester City striker has seven goals so far at the tournament and will fancy his chances of adding to that against England on Saturday.

Switzerland, meanwhile, have also excelled and kept their cool despite facing an intimidating atmosphere in their penalty shootout win against Colombia in the final match of the last-16 stage.

Their victory means Murat Yakin's side have reached the last eight of the World Cup for the first time since 1954, but face a tough task next against reigning champions Argentina.

"This is a historic moment," said Yakin. "We have reached the best ever for the Swiss team but the trip goes on."

The trip goes on indeed as European sides will look to continue their strong run and produce that rare winner of a World Cup outside of the continent.

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