France and Morocco Face Off Again in 2026 World Cup Quarterfinals
The 2026 World Cup quarterfinals kick off on Thursday with a much-anticipated rematch between France and Morocco. This marks their first encounter since the 2022 semifinals.
Match Details:
- Date: Thursday, July 9
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Broadcast: Fox
- Odds: France -390, Morocco +290
Recalling the 2022 Semifinal
Four years ago, France secured a 2-0 victory, advancing to the final against Argentina. The upcoming match poses the question: what will this edition bring?
France’s Journey So Far
Kylian Mbappé and his teammates have dominated, winning every group stage game along with two knockout rounds. They aim for a third consecutive semifinal appearance and to join an elite group of teams reaching the final four three times in a row.
Mbappé shares second place in the Golden Boot race with seven goals. Meanwhile, Michael Olise stands out with nine passes that split defenses.
Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni missed the Round of 16 clash versus Paraguay due to a groin injury but has since returned to training.
Morocco’s Challenge
Ismael Saibari, who has netted three goals in the tournament, remains doubtful after leaving the last match against Canada with a thigh issue.
The Atlas Lions depend heavily on stars like Brahim Díaz, who leads Morocco with 10 goal contributions since the Africa Cup of Nations in January. Defender Achraf Hakimi has created 15 chances so far, underscoring his impact.
The success of Morocco hinges on these key players performing at their peak to upset the favored French squad.
