The 2026 FIFA World Cup has produced another historic milestone, with Norway and Morocco reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Norway secured a place in the last eight after a stunning 2-1 victory over Brazil in the Round of 16.
The achievement marks the country’s maiden appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals and represents one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far.
Morocco also made history by advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time.
The North African side booked their place in the last eight with a convincing 3-0 win over Canada in the Round of 16, continuing their impressive rise on the world stage.
While Switzerland also qualified for the quarter-finals, their achievement is different. The Swiss had previously reached the last eight in 1954, meaning this is not their first quarter-final appearance but their first in 72 years.
The quarter-final lineup has therefore become notable not only for the traditional football powers still in contention, but also for the breakthrough performances of Norway and Morocco, two nations enjoying unprecedented success at the World Cup.
