France vs. Morocco: A Look at Their World Cup History and Key Matches
Set to face off again in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals, France and Morocco bring a fascinating history to this high-pressure match. Both nations have carved distinct paths in international soccer, with France boasting two World Cup titles and Morocco making headlines with their groundbreaking performances.
France entered the 2026 tournament fueled by star talent like Kylian Mbappe, aiming for their third World Cup crown. Meanwhile, Morocco has been creating history as the first African team to reach the semifinals in 2022 and now returns to the quarterfinal stage, once more facing France as a barrier to deeper success.
Historical Meetings Between France and Morocco
The teams have clashed six times before, including one World Cup encounter and two meetings over the last 20 years. Out of these six, four were competitive fixtures while two were friendlies.
Their earliest known meeting dates back to the 1988 Tournoi de France, where France edged Morocco 2-1. They've also met during the King Hassan II Cup tournaments, but it is their recent World Cup showdown that has intensified their rivalry.
Head-to-Head Record
Across all matches, France leads with four wins against Morocco’s single victory, with one draw rounding out their head-to-head record. If we exclude friendlies — the 1999 1-0 win for France and a 2007 2-2 draw — France still holds a 3-1 advantage.
The sole World Cup meeting between these sides came in the 2022 semifinals, when France claimed a 2-0 win, adding significance to their upcoming clash.
The Last Encounter: 2022 World Cup Semifinal
Before 2022, France and Morocco had never met at the World Cup. That semifinal clash was a landmark moment, especially for Morocco, who became the first African team to reach that stage.
Playing at Al Bayt Stadium, France secured an early lead through Theo Hernandez’s goal in the 5th minute and sealed the win with Randal Kolo Muani scoring in the 79th minute. The victory sent France to the final, where they ultimately lost to Argentina on penalties. Morocco ended their historic run finishing fourth after a loss to Croatia in the third-place match.
