Mondial-2026: France-Maroc, premier choc des quarts aux allures de retrouvailles
Four years after their first World Cup encounter, the French team meets Morocco again for the first quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup, Thursday in Foxborough (Massachusetts), with the ambition of continuing their journey towards a third world title.
But Didier Deschamps' players, undefeated since the start of the competition, will face a first major obstacle, against a nation that has established itself as a rising power in international football since 2022.
After a hard-fought qualification on Saturday against overly rough Paraguayans in the round of 16 (1-0), Les Bleus will face an opponent of a completely different caliber and will have to raise their level a notch if they want to continue their North American adventure and reach the semi-finals, the minimum objective set by the French Football Federation (FFF).
Considered the most exciting team in this World Cup, France holds a trump card with its magical trio of Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise. Completely stifled by a Paraguayan defense that too often flirted with danger, they should find a more favorable environment against a much more attacking and possession-based team.
Targeted by racist remarks from a Paraguayan senator which sparked outrage and an investigation in Paris, captain Mbappé will undoubtedly return to the pitch revitalized after receiving unanimous support, including from Emmanuel Macron, the UN, the Paraguayan government and FIFA.
Great players are made for big occasions and the 2018 world champion, with seven goals already to his credit in America, is once again expected to guide his team at the World Cup, his favorite arena of expression, and get closer to Lionel Messi's World Cup goals record, which is two goals ahead of him (21).
In Qatar in 2022, Les Bleus relied on their experience to overcome the Atlas Lions in the semi-finals without too much trouble (2-0). Morocco's presence in the final four, a first for an African nation, could therefore be considered a huge surprise.
But this year, Morocco's journey confirms the change in dimension of a team capable of decisively breaking France's ambitions.
Ranked sixth in the FIFA rankings after a victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations awarded by default following a chaotic final, the Atlas Lions drew level in Group C with Brazil in the first round (1-1), before eliminating the Netherlands in the round of 16 (1-1 aet, 3-2 on penalties), then sweeping aside Canada, one of the three host countries (3-0).
"Morocco isn't here by chance," Didier Deschamps asserted on Wednesday. "It will be a clash between two teams that love to have the ball, attack, and score goals. We'll have to perform well because this Moroccan team is of very high quality. We'll need to be as efficient as possible offensively, and in the other area as well."
"The key is to have no regrets. We will have to play the match at 2000% without thinking that what we have done so far is not bad, and really play this match with a knife between our teeth if necessary," warned Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
With the fierce midfield battle looming, the likely absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni from the starting lineup is a blow for Les Bleus.
Having suffered an adductor injury last week and missed the match against Paraguay, the Real Madrid midfielder "is doing better," Deschamps indicated, but only resumed group training on Wednesday.
The Adrien Rabiot-Manu Koné duo, who have already played together against Paraguay and Iraq, should be retained by the coach, while on the left wing the Parisians Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola are in contention to start against their club partner Achraf Hakimi.
On the Moroccan side, Ouahbi confirmed on Wednesday the withdrawal of Ismael Saibari, the top scorer of the Atlas Lions in this World Cup (3 goals), who left injured against Canada in the round of 16 (3-0).
The quarter-finals continue on Friday with the other big favorite, Spain, taking on Rudi Garcia's Belgium. On Saturday, Erling Haaland's Norway will face England, and Argentina, who miraculously defeated Egypt in the round of 16, will play Switzerland.
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