France and Morocco meet in the World Cup quarterfinals. France are favorites, but Morocco seek revenge for their 2022 semifinal defeat.
Key facts
- •France and Morocco meet in the World Cup quarterfinals in Boston.
- •France are favorites to win, but Morocco seek revenge for their 2022 semifinal defeat.
- •Morocco has an unbeaten run of 34 games since their last defeat at the 2022 World Cup.
- •Kylian Mbappe is on seven goals, level with Erling Haaland.
- •Achraf Hakimi has said that friendships will be put aside when the two teams meet.
The 2026 World Cup quarterfinals begin with a highly anticipated match between France and Morocco in Boston. France, the 2018 World Cup champions and 2022 runners-up, are gearing up to take on Morocco, who are seeking revenge for their 2022 semifinal defeat. The two teams have a complex history, with Morocco being a former French colony and a large Moroccan diaspora population living in France.
By the numbers
Team Performance
France has been in top shape this tournament, winning every match decisively, with the exception of their round of 16 clash against Paraguay, which saw them grind out a 1-0 win. Morocco has also been performing well, with an unbeaten run of 34 games since their last defeat at the 2022 World Cup. They come into this clash boasting an impressive record, having drawn with Brazil and knocked out a solid Dutch team in the group stages.
Player Rivalries
The match also features an intriguing rivalry between French talisman Kylian Mbappe and Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi. Mbappe is on seven goals already, level with Norway and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, and is looking to extend his lead. Hakimi has made it clear that friendships will be put aside when the two teams meet, insisting that what happens on the pitch is separate from relationships off it.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Euronews, Al Jazeera.
