France vs Morocco Preview: Morocco Eye Revenge for the 2022 Semifinal

Updated 9 July 2026. Image generated using Google Gemini for illustrative purposes.

Update: France won 2-0. Read the full match report.

France are favourites to beat Morocco and reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals, on the back of a perfect five-game run and home advantage in Kylian Mbappe’s form. Morocco have the tighter defensive record of the tournament’s surprise packages and a point to prove after losing the corresponding fixture at the last World Cup. Kickoff is 4pm ET at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough.

Team News: Tchouameni a Doubt, Saibari Ruled Out

France have an injury concern in midfield. Aurelien Tchouameni is doubtful with a thigh problem that already kept him out of the Round of 16 win over Paraguay, and with only five days since that match, he is a late call for Didier Deschamps. Mike Maignan starts in goal behind a back four of Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Lucas Digne, with Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue supporting Mbappe. Morocco will be without Ismael Saibari, forced off with a hamstring injury in the win over Canada and now ruled out. Soufiane Rahimi, who scored off the bench in that match, is the likely replacement in Walid Regragui’s front line alongside Bilal El Khannouss, Azzedine Ounahi and Brahim Diaz, with Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui the full-backs.

Past World Cup Meetings: France Won the Only Previous Clash

France and Morocco have met once before at a World Cup, and it was as big as a match gets: the 2022 semifinal in Qatar. France won 2-0 at Al Bayt Stadium, Theo Hernandez scoring inside the first five minutes and substitute Randal Kolo Muani adding a second late on after a mazy Mbappe run set up the chance. That result ended Morocco’s historic run as the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal. The two sides did not meet at the 2018 World Cup, where Morocco failed to escape a group containing Portugal, Spain and Iran while France went on to win the tournament. Thursday’s quarterfinal is Morocco’s chance to avenge the only defeat in this head-to-head.

France vs Morocco Preview: France Favoured, but Morocco Have the Game Plan to Trouble Them

France go into this as favourites, and with good reason: they are the only unbeaten side left in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals and have not needed extra time in five matches, with Mbappe in career-best World Cup form on seven goals. Morocco have not lost regulation time all tournament either, though both their knockout wins have come via penalties or a narrow margin, and Saibari’s absence removes a key creative outlet. Expect a tighter game than France’s group-stage scorelines suggest, Morocco’s back line is well-drilled and set up to frustrate exactly this kind of opponent, but France’s greater squad depth and firepower in behind Mbappe should be enough to see them through, most likely by a one or two-goal margin rather than a rout. This is a lean, not a lock: Morocco eliminated the Netherlands on penalties in the last round and have shown they do not fear the occasion. Update: France won 2-0, Mbappe and Dembele the scorers. Read the full France vs Morocco match report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have France and Morocco played at a World Cup before?

Yes, once. France beat Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani.

Who is favoured to win France vs Morocco at World Cup 2026?

France are favourites, unbeaten in five matches this tournament with Kylian Mbappe on seven goals, though Morocco’s defensive record and knockout pedigree make them a live underdog.

Is Aurelien Tchouameni playing for France against Morocco?

He is a doubt. Tchouameni has a thigh injury that kept him out of the Round of 16 win over Paraguay and is a late call for the quarterfinal.

Sources: 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal record and ESPN team news and lineups report.