France and Morocco, this week, meet in the first World Cup 2026 quarter-final.
Les Bleus have been the standout team at this summer’s expanded tournament, topping Group I with an 100 percent winning record before comfortably beating Sweden in the round of 32.
The last-16 battle with Paraguay proved a difficult barrier to overcome, though Kylian Mbappe eventually found the breakthrough from the penalty spot to set up a rematch from the semi-final showdown in Qatar four years ago.
Morocco were the first team through to 2026 World Cup quarter-final after beating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the last-16.
After seeing Egypt eliminated by Argentina in controversial fashion, the Atlas Lions are now Africa’s only representatives in North America and are seeking to reach back-to-back World Cup semi-finals.
The winners will face the victors of the Spain vs Belgium tie.
Date, kick-off time and venue
France vs Morocco is scheduled for a 9pm BST kick-off on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
The match will take place at the Boston Stadium.
Where to watch France vs Morocco for FREE
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 8pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via the ITVX app or the ITV website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with BBC iPlayer / ITVX app and their websites.
France vs Morocco team news
Didier Deschamps will make a late decision on Aurelien Tchouameni after a thigh injury kept him out of the 1-0 win over Paraguay in the last-16.
If fit, the midfielder could replace Manu Kone. Elsewhere, Desire Doue could be rewarded for his impact off the bench last time out, potentially replacing Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target Bradley Barcola.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamenaco
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe, Jean-Phillipe Mateta, Marcus Thuram
Morocco, meanwhile, are sweating over the fitness of leading scorer Ismael Saibari after he was forced off with a muscular injury during the first half against Canada.
Reports claim the knock is not as serious as first feared, though it’s unclear if he will be fit enough to face France. Soufiane Rahimi came off the bench to score in the last-16 win and could do the same if the new Bayern Munich forward can’t feature from the start.
Morocco squad
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajou, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Chadi Riad, Issa Diop, Anass Salah-Eddine, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Redouane Halhal, Youssef Belammari, Marwane Saadane
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss, Samir El Mourabet, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Gessime Yassine
Forwards: Ismael Saibari, Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Soufiane Rahimi, Chemsdine Talbi, Ayoube Amaimouni, Amine Sbai
France vs Morocco prediction
This is a tough game for France, potentially their toughest test to date as Morocco, technically, are unbeaten in their last 34 matches across all competitions.
However, the last team to beat Morocco at a World Cup was France when the sides met in the 2022 semi-final and we think history will repeat itself with the Atlas Lions failing to avenge that loss.
France to win, 2-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
France wins: 4
Morocco wins: 1
Draws: 1
France vs Morocco match odds
Odds via UK betting sites (subject to change).
