The French national football team is set to face Morocco on Thursday at 10 PM in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, marking a crucial step towards securing a third star for Les Bleus. After a challenging qualification round against Paraguay, where France narrowly emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline, the team will need to elevate their performance to meet the minimum goal set by the French Football Federation: reaching the semifinals.
As France prepares for this intense encounter, the players under Didier Deschamps will confront a formidable Moroccan squad that has solidified its position among the world’s elite, currently ranked sixth by FIFA. Morocco's journey to the quarterfinals has been remarkable; they started with a hard-fought draw against Brazil (1-1), followed by a dramatic penalty shootout victory against the Netherlands (1-1, with a 3-2 advantage in penalties), and a decisive 3-0 win over Canada. This progression reflects Morocco's impressive growth, which was also evident during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held at home, despite a controversial final and a victory awarded on a technicality against Senegal.
France's Offensive Lineup Needs Revival
In their last meeting four years ago, France triumphed over Morocco in the semifinals with a 2-0 score, owing much to their experience. However, the upcoming match is expected to be more fiercely contested, especially for the French attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise. Historically regarded as one of the tournament's most formidable attacks, they must regain their momentum following a subdued performance against Paraguay. Kylian Mbappé, who has netted seven goals in the tournament including a penalty in the Round of 16, is poised to lead the charge once more. He is currently just two goals shy of Lionel Messi's record for World Cup finals goals, which stands at 21.
Mbappé's preparation has been overshadowed by a recent wave of racist comments directed at him by a Paraguayan senator, which sparked widespread outrage and an investigation in Paris, drawing support from notable figures including Emmanuel Macron, the UN, the Paraguayan government, and FIFA. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembélé has not scored since his hat-trick against Norway in the group stage and remains at four goals in this World Cup. Michael Olise experienced an unusual technical mishap against Paraguay, struggling with ball control after previously dazzling audiences in the earlier rounds. Both players must return to their usual form if they hope to breach a well-organized Moroccan defense. Olise, in particular, must tread carefully due to a yellow card received against Paraguay, as another booking would result in suspension for the semifinals.
Morocco's Dynamic Wing-Backs Pose Threat
While Morocco may not match the attacking prowess of France, they possess two dynamic wing-backs, Achraf Hakimi on the right and Noussair Mazraoui on the left, whose contributions can significantly influence the match outcome. The Moroccan midfield is also noteworthy for its ability to control possession and dictate the tempo of play. This midfield trio is anchored by 18-year-old prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi, who plays a crucial defensive role despite his youth. Alongside him, Neil El Aynaoui facilitates ball movement and connects play through the lines, while Azzedine Ounahi adds an offensive thrust and finishing ability rare for a midfielder, having already scored twice in this World Cup, both against Canada in the Round of 16.
Dayot Upamecano, the French central defender, has emphasized the need for vigilance against this Moroccan side, stating, "They are a very good team. They have improved since 2022, they enjoy having the ball and engaging in one-on-one situations. We need to be attentive, both defensively and offensively."
Additionally, there are concerns for Didier Deschamps regarding the possible absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni, who suffered a thigh injury and missed training on Tuesday. Should he be ruled out, Manu Koné is likely to partner with Adrien Rabiot in midfield. Deschamps is expected to maintain a similar lineup to that used in the Round of 16, with Bradley Barcola on the left flank, tasked with exploiting any defensive gaps left by Hakimi.
As reported by ici.fr.
