France vs Morocco Preview - prediction, team news, lineups | FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-final

Les Bleus will take on the Atlas Lions in the quarter-final.

As the knockout stage is heating up, top teams will lock horns against each other. France will take on the AFCON winners, Morocco, in the quarter-finals. Both sides have been unbeaten so far in the tournament and have played some really good football.

This can be one of the best games of the tournament so far. Both sides are quality teams. It will be a very intense and competitive fixture.

France are one of the favourites to win this edition’s World Cup, but Morocco won’t be an easy side to beat at all. The AFCON winners are no longer an underdog team. They are very much capable of making an upset on Thursday.

France’s record against Morocco is good. They will be confident of making it into the next round. Morocco suffered a defeat to France back in the 2022 World Cup in the group stage.

They will hope to get revenge for that defeat. Tactically and technically, Moroccan players are very much on par with the French players. Still, the opposition has a very strong attacking department.

It will be difficult for Morocco to stop them. Overall, this will be a match which every football fan will want to see. This mouthwatering clash can go into extra time as well.

Kick-Off:

• Location: Foxborough, USA
• Stadium: Boston Stadium
• Date: Thursday, 9 July 2026
• Kick-Off: 04:00 PM (EST) | 09:00 PM (GMT) | 10/07/2026, 01:30 AM (IST)
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In Use

Form

France (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Morocco (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-D

Players to Watch

Kylian Mbappe (France)

Mbappe is one of the best players in the 2026 World Cup. He is also among the favourites to win the Golden Boot. The player is looking forward to winning his second World Cup.

He is in the top scorer race alongside Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. Didier Deschamps has full trust in Mbappe to deliver his best on the pitch. The Frenchman will be hungry to score more and will hope to make it into the next rounds.

Also read: UN & FIFA panel condemn Paraguayan senator’s racist comments against Kylian Mbappe after FIFA World Cup 2026 match

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

Hakimi has always stepped up when his team needs him the most. Defensively and offensively, his performance has been top-notch so far in this tournament. France will test Morocco’s defence for sure, as they have some of the best players in the world.

Hakimi will have to lead his team with confidence and courage. This is a high-stakes game after all.

Match Facts

• Last time these two sides faced, France won 2-0
• This will be the second time they face each other in the FIFA World Cup
• Morocco defeated France back in 1998

France vs Morocco: Betting Tips & Odds

• Tip 1 – France to win this fixture – 4/7 by bet365
• Tip 2 – Both teams to score
• Tip 3 – Goals scored over 1.5

Injury and Team News

Ismael Saibari came off due to a hamstring injury in the last game. The Morocco player is doubtful for the upcoming fixture. The rest of the players from both sides are fully fit to play.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 8

France: 5

Morocco: 1

Draws: 2

Predicted Lineups

France Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Maignan (GK); Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Koné, Rabiot; Dembélé, Olise, Barcola; Mbappé

Morocco Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Bounou (GK); Hakimi, Halhal, Diop, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, Aynaoui; Diaz, Ounahi, Khannouss; Rahimi

Match Prediction

This will be one of the best games of this tournament for sure. Two top-quality sides will lock horns. Both sides have played some really good football and made it into the quarter-finals.

This is a high-stakes fixture. The intensity of the game will be very high as well. Most probably, the French side will win this fixture.

Prediction: France 4-2 Morocco

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels

UK: ITV & BBC

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv

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