Barcola is scrapped – France is chasing another semi-final spot.
The World Cup quarter-finals kick off with a power showdown in Boston – favourites France against historic Morocco. First against sixth place in FIFA’s ranking.
A bit surprising that FIFA has chosen referees from Argentina after all the noise after the match against Egypt.
“It’s all about money, they want Messi to stay in the World Cup”
It is a replay of the semi-final from 2022 in Qatar. France are chasing their third straight ticket to the final – and will field Kylian Mbappé in the attacking line, already scoring seven goals in the tournament.
Morocco, on the other hand, is making history for the second time in a row – as the first African nation to reach two straight World Cup quarter-finals. They are no longer the surprise team from Qatar. Mohamed Ouahbi’s side are unbeaten so far, have survived a tough group with Brazil – and crushed co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the last eight.
Can they shock again – or will France sail on? The winner will face Belgium or Spain in the semi-finals.
Team News France
Veteran coach Didier Deschamps makes just one change – Désiré Doué comes into the attack in place of PSG teammate Bradley Barcola. Mbappé is playing his 20th World Cup match, equalling the record of former goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Aurélien Tchouaméni (thigh) and Marcus Thuram (calf) start on the bench.
France’s XI: Maignan – Digne, Saliba, Upamecano, Koundé – Rabiot, Koné – Doué, Olise, Dembélé – Mbappé
Team news Morocco
Ismael Saibari (hamstring) is out again. Chadi Riad is also not back from his knee injury. Mohamed Ouahbi makes two changes from the line-up against Canada – Anass Salah-Eddine and Chemsdine Talbi start in place of Saibari and Redouane Halhal.
Morocco’s XI: Bounou – Salah-Eddine, Mazraoui, Diop, Hakimi – El Aynaoui, Bouaddi – Talbi, Ounahi, Díaz – El Khannouss
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World Cup 2026: Key figures – France vs Morocco
- The teams have met six times: four French wins and two draws
- The 2022 semi-finals were their first competitive match – France won 2–0 (Hernández, Kolo Muani)
- France could become the third nation with three straight semi-finals – after Germany (4 straight 2002–2014, 3 straight 1982–1990) and Brazil (3 straight 1994–2002)
- France are on a run of seven straight wins in competitive matches – and have won 11 of their last 12 (one draw)
- The last time they won eight straight competitive games? Between September 2002 and June 2004 (14)
- Mbappé also has two assists and 12 chances created – only Michael Olise (9) has more defence-breaking passes
- Olise is the first player since Zico in 1978 with at least 10 dribbles (11), 10 chances in open play and 10 through passes in his debut World Cup
- African teams have twice gone unbeaten through their first five matches – both times Morocco (2022 and 2026)
- Since the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Brahim Díaz has been directly involved in the most goals of all Moroccans (6 goals, 4 assists)
- Achraf Hakimi has created the most chances of any defender in the last two World Cup tournaments (21)
- Hakimi’s 15 chances this year are the most by an African defender in a single World Cup edition since 1966
World Cup 2026: Complete fixture schedule – all dates, results and the road to the final
