The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals get off to a blockbuster start in Boston, as tournament favorites France clash with Morocco.
It’s a repeat of the 2022 semi-finals in Qatar with France aiming to reach a third consecutive final.
France were widely touted as favorites as Kylian Mbappe scored seven goals in an attack packed with talent.
Meanwhile, the Atlas Lions made history again, becoming the first country in Africa to reach the quarter finals of the World Cup consecutively. They are no longer surprise packages or Qatari underdogs; Mohamed Ouahbi’s side are unbeaten in the tournament, having navigated through a brutal group featuring Brazil before thrashing Canada 3-0 in the round of 16.
Can they pull off the upset or will France sail on? The winners will face either Belgium or Spain in the last four.
News of the French team
There is one change for veteran coach Didier Deschamps, as Desire Doue replaces PSG teammate Bradley Barcola. Mbappe is playing his 20th World Cup match and is level with former goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Aurelien Tchouameni (thigh) and Marcus Thuram (calf) have both been called to the bench.
France XI: Mike Maignan, Lucas Digne, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné, Désiré Doué, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé
Moroccan team news
Ismael Saibari (hamstring) also misses out against Morocco, while Chadi Riad is still out with a knee injury. Mohamed Ouahbi made two changes to the starting XI against Canada – Anass Salah-Eddine and Chemsdine Talbi came in for Saibari and Redouane Halhal.
Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou, Anass Salah-Eddine, Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Achraf Hakimi, Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Chemsdine Talbi, Azzedine Ounahi, Brahim Díaz, Bilal El Khannouss
Where to watch France v Morocco: TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off on Thursday is at 21:00 BST (16:00 ET / 13:00 PT). In the UK, live TV broadcasts on ITV1.
Live streaming via the ITV website and the ITVX app, available on a range of devices for viewing on the go.
World Cup 2026: France v Morocco stats
- There have been six meetings between these teams, resulting in France winning four and drawing two
- Their meeting in the 2022 final was the first competitive meeting between them, with France winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani.
- Should France advance, they will become the third country to reach the last four in three consecutive tournaments, joining Germany (4, from 2002-2014 and 3 from 1982-1990) and Brazil (3, 1994-2002).
- France are on a seven-game winning streak in the competition and have won 11 of their last 12 (D1)
- The last time they won eight such games in a row was between September 2002 and June 2004 (14)
- Kylian Mbappe also provided two assists and created 12 chances for France in this World Cup, with only Michael Olise (9) providing the striker with more than eight passes in defense of Les Bleus.
- Olise is the first player to complete at least 10 dribbles (11), create at least 10 chances in open play (10) and send at least 10 balls (11) in his first World Cup since Zico from Brazil in 1978.
- African teams have lost twice in their opening five matches at the World Cup, with Morocco participating on both occasions (in 2022 and 2026).
- Since the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Brahim Diez has been directly involved in more goals than any other Moroccan player in all competitions (6 goals, 4 assists)
- Across the last two World Cups, Achraf Hakimi has created more chances than any other defender (21)
- Hakimi’s 15 chances created in this year’s competition are the most by an African defender in a single edition (since 1966)
