France v Morocco: World Cup 2026 quarter final – live | 2026 World Cup
Important events
Pre-match mailbag. “So will Morocco allow France the time and space to show off their tuxedos or will it force them to revert to the sweaty (and somewhat bloody) overalls that Paraguay made them wear in Philadelphia?
“Best World Cup: Nine African and three Concacaf teams in qualifying tournaments.
Worst World Cup: Six of the last eight Europeans. Boring!!!
Best World Cup?: Four of the four finalists never won (Norway, Morocco, Switzerland, Belgium).
Worst World Cup?: nothing new to see here, four past champions in the last four.
Here’s hoping for the best.” – Dominic O’Donnell
“Looking back, that’s amazing, Scotland probably played their best game of the tournament against Morocco, and they were unlucky at the end not to get a point that would have seen them qualify. And then who knows what might have happened? Actually, I think we all do, the last 32 defeat by Mexico or another team, that’s it. But do you get my little glory in Paris? And it’s not that long since we beat Spain and Norway in the Euro qualifiers, and we beat England 0-0 at Wembley So we know who the real winners are on July 19” – Simon McMahon
Time to look at this World Cup through a different lens. Our photo editor Jonny Weeks has transformed some of his favorite photos using another technique called slit-scanning, which produces amazing results … and has a much longer and more varied history in sports photography than you might think.
France has long demonstrated the benefits of diversity at the World Cup. Now Morocco is reaping similar rewards, with six members of the Moroccan team – Ayyoub Bouaddi, Issa Diop, Neil El Aynaoui, Samir El Mourabet, Gessime Yassine and Redouane Halhal – born in France. This clip from the Guardian Sport Network, on how today’s quarter-final summed up the multicultural nature of the tournament, is well worth your time and love.
Pre-match press conferences. Didier Deschamps played down the identity of tonight’s referees, as he has officially been front and center this week, while handing his rivals their flowers: “This Morocco is of the highest quality.” His number opposite Mohamed Ouahbi on the other hand emphasizes that his team is there to win everything.
Morocco made two changes to their starting line-up from the win over Canada. Anass Salah-Eddine replaces Redouane Halhal in defence, while midfielder Chemsdine Talbi replaces striker Ismael Saibari. Brahim Diaz is likely to play as a lone striker in Saibari’s absence.
France made one change to their starting XI following the clash with Paraguay. Désiré Doué replaces PSG team-mate Bradley Barcola on the left.
Groups
France: Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne, Kone, Rabiot, Dembele, Olise, Doue, Mbappe.
Subs: Samba, Gusto, Tchouameni, Thuram, Kante, Konate, Zaire Emery, Theo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, Mateta, Risser, Cherki, Akliouche, Lacroix, Barcola.
Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Mazraoui, Saleh-Eddine, Bouaddi, El Aynaoui, Diaz, Ounahi, Talbi, El Khannous.
Subscribers: Mohamedi, Tagnaouti, Amrabat, Saadane, Saibari, El Ouahdi, El Mourabet, Yassine, Sbai, Belammari, El Kaabi, Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Halhal, Riad, Rahimi.
Referee: Facundo Tello Figueroa (Argentina).
Morocco has played against France six times in the past, never defeating them. It drew twice, lost four times, scored six goals, and conceded 14. But one of those games was against the France of Zinedine Zidane, Laurent Blanc, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry et al, a few months ago. the Bleus won the 1998 World Cup final … and after scoring four goals, Morocco won on penalties. A small choice, but at least it’s nothing at all. And there is always a first.
Morocco was the top team in Group C. They didn’t win it, because they failed to put Brazil away, but it only took 70 seconds to eliminate Scotland and when they risked embarrassing themselves against Haiti, they ended up defeating the underdogs 4-2.
At the tournament, they were taken by the Netherlands, then took 45 minutes to warm up against Canada before kicking their teammates out of their tournament. And now we are here.
France advanced to Group I. They survived the Senegal test well. They took a two-hour break from the storm on their way out of Iraq. Then it was Norway B thanks to Ousmane Dembélé’s quick hat-trick in the first half.
Then things went from high to ridiculous. And here we are.
… and to the business end of the World Cup. But let’s start this story from the beginning.
Background
2022 semi-final replay. France were expected to make light work of Morocco four years ago in Qatar, but the Atlas Lions gave them a run for their money…
… and since then, Morocco has been the champions of Africa, caveats aside, and the sixth best team in the rankings. They’re the real deal, and while France have once again been tipped to emerge victorious tonight, they’re no longer predictable. France have ambitions to win the title, but so do Morocco, who are also looking for revenge. This is arranged in a nice way. Starting at 4pm Boston (9pm BST/6am AEST). It’s open!
