France will face Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday at Foxborough Stadium near Boston, reprising their 2022 semifinal clash — which France won 2-0 — in what promises to be one of the tournament's most charged encounters. France, who advanced on a Kylian Mbappe penalty against Paraguay, enter as heavy favourites with Opta's model giving them a 61% chance of progressing, while Morocco — who swept aside Canada 3-0 in the round of 16 — are no longer considered underdogs, having firmly established themselves as a genuine global footballing force. Beyond the sporting stakes, the match carries historical weight: Morocco was a French colony for several decades in the 20th century, and France is home to more than 700,000 people of Moroccan origin, adding an extra layer of significance to what Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi insists is primarily about making his nation proud rather than seeking revenge.
Mosaic News
France and Morocco set for World Cup 2026 quarterfinal rematch at Foxborough[Updated]
France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the quarterfinal at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with Kylian Mbappe curling in his eighth goal of the tournament on 60 minutes before Ousmane Dembele doubled the lead six minutes later in front of a crowd of 63,811. Mbappe had a first-half penalty saved by Yassine Bounou — who became the first Moroccan goalkeeper to save a penalty during normal play at a World Cup — after Noussair Mazraoui was adjudged to have fouled him inside the box following a VAR review. Morocco failed to register a single shot on goal until an 83rd-minute free kick by Azzedine Ounahi, with the Atlas Lions hampered by the absence of injured midfielder Ismael Saibari. Mbappe departed late in the match with an ice pack around his right ankle, though he had set up Dembele's goal before exiting; France will face Spain or Belgium in the semifinals in Dallas on Tuesday, with coach Didier Deschamps set to step down after the tournament.