Quarterfinals Kick Off with France and Morocco
The excitement of the 2026 World Cup intensifies today, July 9, as the quarterfinals commence after a brief pause in the action. The highly anticipated match between France and Morocco will determine which team secures the first spot in the semifinals. France, maintaining its status as the tournament favorite, stands out as one of the two remaining teams that have yet to face defeat in this competition. Their journey so far included a tense Round of 16 match against Paraguay, where the score remained locked at 0-0 until Kylian Mbappé stepped up to convert a penalty, leading his team to a narrow 1-0 victory.
On the other side, Morocco enters the match with confidence, riding high from their impressive 3-0 victory over host nation Canada in the previous round. However, the Atlas Lions will face a significant challenge today, as they will be without their top scorer Ismael Saibari, who has been ruled out due to injury. Saibari has been a crucial player for Morocco, having started all five matches and scoring in three of them, which raises questions about how the team will adapt in his absence.
The winner of this thrilling matchup will earn the right to advance to the semifinals in Dallas, where they will face either Belgium or Spain on July 14. Fans are eager to see which team will rise to the occasion and continue their quest for World Cup glory.
How to Watch the Match
The much-anticipated quarterfinal clash between France and Morocco is set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET today. For fans looking to catch the action without a traditional cable subscription, live TV streaming services provide an excellent alternative. Among the options, DIRECTV stands out as a top choice for sports enthusiasts. Currently, they are offering a five-day free trial, allowing viewers to experience the service before committing. The Choice plan is particularly recommended, as it includes popular channels such as FOX, FS1, and Telemundo, along with over 125 additional channels, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the World Cup.
As reported by nypost.com.