France and Morocco Face Off Again in 2026 World Cup Quarterfinals

The quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup kick off Thursday with a replay of the 2022 semifinal clash between France and Morocco. This match will take place at Foxborough, Massachusetts, starting at 4 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Fox.

Past Encounter Sets the Stage

Back in 2022, France secured a 2-0 victory, moving on to face Argentina in the final. The question now is what this rematch holds for both sides. France has powered through the tournament unbeaten so far, winning all three group matches and both knockout rounds to reach this point.

Kylian Mbappé leads the charge for Les Bleus, tied for second in the Golden Boot standings with seven goals. Michael Olise has been instrumental too, delivering nine passes that split defenses. There’s some concern over Aurélien Tchouaméni, who missed the last game against Paraguay with a groin issue but has since returned to training.

Morocco’s Key Players

Morocco enters this game relying heavily on their standout performers. Ismael Saibari, who scored three times in the tournament, might be sidelined due to a thigh injury sustained in the Round of 16 win over Canada. For Morocco to upset France, stars like Brahim Díaz and Achraf Hakimi need to deliver. Díaz has contributed the most goals and assists for Morocco since the Africa Cup of Nations began in January, while Hakimi leads the team with 15 chance creations during this World Cup.

Odds and Expectations

Bookmakers list France as strong favorites with odds at -390, while Morocco is seen as the underdog at +290. France aims to become only the third team ever to reach the World Cup semifinals three tournaments in a row.