France have won all five games in the tournament, conceding just two goals
Morocco beat Netherlands on pens in last-32 before easing past Canada 3-0
Recommended bet: France to win and both teams to score @ 5/2 with LiveScore Bet
Score Prediction: France 3–1 Morocco
France remain many people's picks for World Cup glory but the 2022 runners-up face a severe test when going up against an excellent Morocco side in the last eight.
Les Bleus have looked like the best-equipped side to win the tournament this summer, with a fearsome attacking line-up and quality in abundance throughout their whole squad.
Three comfortable group wins over Senegal, Iraq and Norway have been followed by knockout victories to nil over Sweden and Paraguay, and now Didier Deschamps' side have their sights set on a last-four spot.
However, African hopefuls Morocco have followed up their fine run to the semis in Qatar four years ago with another very strong showing in North America and will be no pushovers in this eagerly-awaited quarter-final in Boston, which is a repeat of the 2022 semi-final when France won 2-0.
Date, kick‑off time, stadium, competition
Thursday July 9th, 9pm (UK) at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Boston – World Cup 2026 quarter-final
Where to Watch
ITV, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Outright Odds
More market odds and predictions
Recommended bet | Stat |
|---|---|
Over 2.5 total goals | There have been three goals or more in four of France’s five games in the tournament |
Kylian Mbappe to score anytime | Mbappe has scored seven goals in the tournament so far |
Michael Olise to score or assist | Olise has assisted five goals for France in World Cup 2026 |
Both Teams to Score | BTTS has landed in four of Morocco’s last six games |
Soufiane Rahimi to have 2+ shots | Soufiane Rahimi has had a total of six shots in his last three appearances for Morocco |
Morocco made plenty of headlines with their run to the last four of the 2022 World Cup, but the team that ended their dream in Qatar look set to do it again in Boston.
Back then, France’s 2-0 semi-final win took them into the final at the expense of the Atlas Lions and Les Bleus are now expected to knock out Morocco again — although this time at the quarter-final stage.
France cruised through their group as winners after victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway and then swatted aside Sweden 3-0 in the last 32.
Paraguay did everything they could to stop Deschamps’ side in the last 16 but Kylian Mbappe’s penalty — the Real Madrid striker’s seventh goal of the tournament - edged them through.
This showdown with Morocco is likely to be France’s toughest test so far but it is one the 2018 world champions should pass.
The Atlas Lions deservedly held Brazil to a 1-1 draw in their group opener before beating Scotland and Haiti. They were heading out in the round of 32 before a late Issa Diop goal levelled things against the Netherlands and Mohamed Ouahbi’s side then progressed on penalties.
An impressive performance in the last-16 saw them outclass Canada 3-0, but this is a significant step up.
France have looked the best team in the tournament and have a fantastic attacking line-up featuring Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Mbappe that has quickly clicked into top gear.
Even though they could be without injured talisman Ismael Saibari for the last-eight showdown, Morocco have plenty of threat themselves, with the likes of Bilal El Khannouss and Soufiane Rahimi, and they look capable of stretching France and scoring, even if they may ultimately suffer another agonising knockout defeat.
Team news
France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni missed the last-16 clash against Paraguay through injury and remains a major doubt for the quarter-final.
Manu Kone is likely to continue in midfield and if Deschamps decides to make a minor alteration to his line-up, he could recall Doue at the expense of Barcola.
Les Bleus are expected to once again field a formidable attacking line-up containing Dembele, Olise and Mbappe.
Morocco are sweating on the fitness of key man Saibari, who was forced off injured early on in the win over Canada with a suspected hamstring strain.
If he is ruled out then, Rahimi, who scored the third goal in the last-16 win, will start.
Centre-back Chadi Riad picked up a knee injury in the last-32 win over the Netherlands and was forced to sit out the Canada game, with a return against France for the Crystal Palace man looking unlikely.
Predicted Team Line‑Ups:
France (4-3-2-1): Mike Maignan; Lucas Digne, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde; Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot; Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe.
Morocco (4-2-3-1): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Redouane Halhal, Noussair Mazraoui; Ayoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui; Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Soufiane Rahimi.
Stats
France have won 10 of their last 11 games
Les Bleus only blemish in that run was a 2-1 pre-tournament friendly loss to Ivory Coast
France beat Morocco 2-0 in the 2022 World Cup semi-final
Since their controversial AFCON final against Senegal, Morocco have gone on a 10-game unbeaten run, winning seven
Morocco have scored 20 goals in their last eight games
France have reached the last eight for the third successive World Cup
Score Prediction: France 3–1 Morocco
The latest France vs Morocco odds are available on LiveScore Bet
