France and Morocco will meet in Boston with a place in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals on the line after both sides came through difficult round-of-16 ties.
France booked their place in the last eight with a hard-fought victory over Paraguay. Didier Deschamps’ side had to stay patient for long periods but eventually found a way through to continue their pursuit of a third World Cup title.
It has been plain sailing for France so far in this tournament. But this game will offer another step up as we enter the business end of the competition.
Morocco earned their quarter-final spot after seeing off Canada in another disciplined display. The Atlas Lions defended superbly for much of the contest before making the most of their chances at the other end to knock out the co-hosts.
Walid Regragui’s side have once again shown why they are so difficult to play against. They don’t give opponents many openings, and they have already proved they can compete with some of the best teams left in the tournament.
Now, just one win separates France and Morocco from a place in the World Cup semi-finals, with a meeting against either Spain or Belgium waiting for the winner.
How to watch France vs Morocco
France vs Morocco kicks off at 21:00 GMT on Thursday, July 9 at the Boston Stadium.
This match will be shown live in the UK on ITV, with streaming also available via ITVX.
In the United States, World Cup coverage is available on FOX Sports and Telemundo.
In Canada, coverage is available on CTV, TSN and RDS.
France team news
France are unlikely to make many changes after edging past Paraguay to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Didier Deschamps has settled on a consistent starting XI throughout the tournament, and there is little reason for him to alter a side that continues to find ways to win.
Kylian Mbappé remains France’s biggest threat in attack and will once again be joined by Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola in the front three.
Aurélien Tchouaméni was forced off with injury against Paraguay and is doubtful for this one. If he isn’t ready to start, expect Kouadio Kone to slot in alongside Adrien Rabiot.
Michael Olise will likely once again occupy the number 10 role. He will be walking a bit of a tightrope though as a yellow card will see him miss the semi-finals if France progress.
At the back, Dayot Upamecano is expected to partner William Saliba in central defence, with Lucas Digne and Jules Koundé continuing in the full-back positions. Mike Maignan will start in goal.
Expected XI:
(4-2-3-1) Maignan – Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne – Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Dembélé, Olise, Barcola – Mbappé
Morocco team news
Morocco will also be expected to stick with the side that knocked out Canada in the round of 16.
Walid Regragui’s team have been well organised throughout the tournament and produced another disciplined performance to earn their place in the last eight.
Youssef En-Nesyri is expected to lead the line once again, with Sofiane Boufal and Hakim Ziyech providing support from the wide areas.
In midfield, Sofyan Amrabat should continue alongside Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss, who have all played important roles in Morocco’s run to the quarter-finals.
The back four of Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saïss and Noussair Mazraoui is expected to remain unchanged. Yassine Bounou is expected to continue in goal.
Expected XI:
(4-3-3) Bounou – Hakimi, Aguerd, Saïss, Mazraoui – Amrabat, Ounahi, El Khannouss – Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
France vs Morocco stats
- France reached the World Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought victory over Paraguay in the round of 16.
- Morocco booked their place in the last eight by beating co-hosts Canada after another disciplined defensive display.
- France have won all four of their matches at the 2026 World Cup. They are yet to concede more than one goal in a game.
- Morocco have kept three clean sheets in four matches and have conceded just two goals during the tournament.
- Kylian Mbappé has been directly involved in five goals at the 2026 World Cup, scoring four and providing one assist.
- France have won seven of their previous eight meetings with Morocco. The Atlas Lions’ only victory came in a friendly in 1963.
- The two nations last met in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, where France claimed a 2-0 victory.
- Morocco are aiming to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the second consecutive tournament.
- France are looking to make the final four for a fourth consecutive World Cup.
- France have won each of their last six World Cup knockout matches inside 90 minutes.
France vs Morocco prediction
Didier Deschamps’ France have looked comfortable throughout this tournament, but this will be the biggest test yet for the tournament favourites.
They have controlled games well, defended with authority and rarely looked like losing, but Morocco are a completely different proposition.
Morocco won’t make this an open game. They’ll stay compact, keep their shape and force France to be patient in possession. Just as they have done against plenty of top sides over the last few years.
The key battle could come down the right-hand side. Achraf Hakimi is one of the few full-backs capable of containing his PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele.
If Morocco can limit France’s biggest threat, they’ll give themselves every chance of staying in the contest.
The problem is that France don’t rely on one player. Ousmane Dembélé has been dangerous throughout the tournament. But then you have Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola. I won’t list them all, or we will be here a while, but you get the point.
Morocco have already shown that they can frustrate good teams and punish mistakes. If they keep the game level into the final half-hour, the pressure will begin to shift onto France.
I just think France have a few more ways to win this game. Whether it’s a moment of brilliance from Mbappé, a set piece or simply wearing Morocco down over 90 minutes, they have enough attacking quality to find the breakthrough.
My picks for this game would be: France to qualify, Kylian Mbappé to score anytime and under 2.5 goals.
