Last Updated on 08/07/2026 by TinHN Editor
France vs Morocco headlines the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals in a rematch of the 2022 semifinal, where France won 2-0 on their way to the final in Qatar. Four years on, both sides arrive in Boston with a point to prove.
Date & kick-off: Thursday, July 9, 2026 — 4:00 p.m. ET (9:00 p.m. BST / 11:00 p.m. Morocco time)
Venue: Gillette Stadium (“Boston Stadium”), Foxborough, Massachusetts
France’s road to the quarterfinal
France arrive unbeaten in five matches, having scored 14 goals and conceded just twice. In the Round of 16, Les Bleus edged Paraguay 1-0 through a 69th-minute Kylian Mbappé penalty, awarded after VAR confirmed a foul on substitute Désiré Doué. The goal moved Mbappé level with Lionel Messi at seven goals in the race for the Golden Boot, and marked his 19th World Cup goal overall — second only to Messi in the competition’s history.
Didier Deschamps’ side have been ruthlessly efficient rather than spectacular against low blocks, averaging 20.6 shots and 2.64 goals per match, with Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola offering width alongside Mbappé.
Morocco’s road to the quarterfinal
Morocco reached the last eight just as convincingly, beating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16 through an Azzedine Ounahi brace and a late Soufiane Rahimi strike. That followed a nerve-shredding penalty shootout win over the Netherlands in the Round of 32, after a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes. The Atlas Lions are unbeaten in ten matches and currently ranked 7th in the world, blending the experienced spine of their 2022 semifinal run — Bounou, Hakimi, Mazraoui, Amrabat — with a sharper, more creative generation.
Storylines to watch: France vs Morocco
The tie carries extra weight beyond the scoreline. Ayyoub Bouaddi, Morocco’s 18-year-old midfielder, came through the French youth system before choosing to represent Morocco — a decision now seen as a coup for the Moroccan federation. At the back, centre-back Issa Diop once hoped to be capped by France; he now stands in their way of the semifinals instead.
It’s also the second straight World Cup in which these two nations have met in the knockout stage — a rare rivalry rekindled twice in four years. See how France’s route compares in our full World Cup 2026 bracket guide.
Form, injuries and team news
Ismael Saibari, who went off injured early in Morocco’s win over Canada, is a doubt — Rahimi, who scored the third goal in that match, is the direct replacement if Saibari isn’t passed fit. Morocco otherwise have a full squad to choose from.
France have no fresh fitness concerns after the Paraguay win, and Deschamps is expected to keep faith with the same front line that has carried the goalscoring load through the knockout rounds. Mbappé’s tally puts him firmly in the Golden Boot conversation alongside Messi.
Predicted lineups: France vs Morocco
Morocco (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; Brahim Díaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari (or Rahimi)
France: Deschamps is expected to stick with the attacking setup that beat Paraguay, with Mbappé leading the line supported by Dembélé, Barcola and Doué.
Match preview: who advances to the semifinals?
Morocco are no soft touch. Their defensive discipline, penalty-shootout pedigree and pace in transition have already troubled bigger names this tournament, and they’ll fancy their chances of making this a low-scoring, physical contest. But France’s knockout experience and squad depth — the same qualities that carried them past a stubborn Paraguay side — should tell in the closing stages.
Opta’s analytics model favours France to progress, with a reference scoreline of 2-1. The model also projects a physical contest with 4-6 yellow cards, tilted slightly toward Morocco, though the likelihood of a red card is considered low.
Whatever the result, this second consecutive knockout meeting between France and Morocco should be tighter than their 2022 semifinal — with the winner advancing to face either Belgium/Spain or England/Norway in the semifinals.
How to watch: In the US, France vs Morocco airs on Fox Sports and Telemundo. Check our full guide to watching World Cup 2026 for broadcast options in other countries.
FAQ
When is France vs Morocco at the World Cup 2026?
Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Has France played Morocco at a World Cup before?
Yes — France beat Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, courtesy of goals from Théo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani.
Is Ismael Saibari fit for the quarterfinal?
His status was uncertain after he was substituted early against Canada with an injury; Soufiane Rahimi is the like-for-like replacement if he doesn’t recover in time.