- France, Morocco Renew Rivalry as World Cup Quarter-Finals Get Underway
The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its decisive phase on Thursday with a blockbuster quarter-final clash between France and Morocco in Boston, as eight teams continue their pursuit of football’s biggest prize.
After a month of thrilling football that has produced 280 goals in 96 matches, the expanded 48-team tournament has been reduced to the final eight, with France and Morocco opening the last-eight stage in a repeat of their memorable 2022 World Cup semi-final.
France arrive as one of the tournament’s standout performers, having won all five of their matches. Didier Deschamps’ side have scored 13 goals and looked among the most balanced teams in the competition, blending attacking brilliance with defensive solidity.
Captain Kylian Mbappé has once again been France’s driving force. The Real Madrid forward has scored seven goals at the tournament, placing him alongside Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Norway striker Erling Haaland in a fiercely contested Golden Boot race. Mbappé is also closing in on Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record, adding another layer of intrigue to France’s quest for a third world title.
France secured their quarter-final place after edging Paraguay 1-0 in a tense last-16 encounter, with Mbappé converting the decisive penalty. The victory extended Les Bleus’ winning streak to seven competitive matches and kept alive Deschamps’ dream of ending his remarkable reign with another World Cup triumph.
The French coach, who will step down after the tournament following 14 successful years in charge, insists his focus remains solely on the challenge posed by Morocco rather than his personal legacy.
“I am not thinking about that at all,” Deschamps said ahead of the encounter. “Our objective is simply to do everything possible for things to go well. Morocco are an excellent team with outstanding players. They are here on merit.”
Deschamps also brushed aside speculation surrounding the appointment of Argentine referee Facundo Tello, despite suggestions from some supporters that the official could influence France’s path toward a potential final against Argentina.
“Our opponents are Morocco,” he said. “I cannot consider the referee an opponent.”
France are expected to field a largely unchanged side despite midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni remaining doubtful with a thigh injury. Manu Koné is likely to continue alongside Adrien Rabiot in midfield, while the attacking quartet of Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Mbappé is expected to lead the charge.
Morocco, meanwhile, continue to make history for African football. The Atlas Lions have once again reached the World Cup quarter-finals after eliminating the Netherlands on penalties before comfortably defeating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has built on Morocco’s impressive run to the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago, guiding his side through an unbeaten run of five World Cup matches. Ranked seventh in the world, the African champions possess a talented squad capable of troubling any opponent.
Playmaker Brahim Díaz has been central to Morocco’s success, registering four World Cup assists during his international career—more than any other African player in tournament history. Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi also enters the match in excellent form after scoring twice against Canada.
However, Morocco have been dealt an injury setback with Ismael Saibari expected to miss the clash because of a hamstring problem, while defender Chadi Riad faces a late fitness test.
Despite their recent rise, Morocco have never defeated France in regulation time, losing four of their previous six meetings. Their only competitive encounter came in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, where Les Bleus claimed a 2-0 victory before eventually finishing as runners-up.
Ouahbi’s side will hope to rewrite history by becoming the first African nation to reach two World Cup semi-finals.
The winner of Thursday’s showdown will book a place in the semi-finals against either European champions Spain or Belgium, who meet on Friday.
Elsewhere, defending champions Argentina continue their title defence against Switzerland after Lionel Messi inspired a stunning comeback from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16. Norway will also face England in another mouth-watering quarter-final featuring Golden Boot contender Erling Haaland against England captain Harry Kane.
