Morocco and France will meet in Thursday’s World Cup quarter‑final. The match kicks off in Boston in the afternoon, which is midnight in the UAE. Both sides arrived in the knockout stage after winning their last‑16 games.
In Qatar 2022, France reached the final but fell to Argentina, while Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to finish fourth at the global finals.
Talking points
Mohamed Ouahbi took over from Walid Regragui in March, with the tournament only 98 days away. He guided Morocco to an Under‑20 World Cup title in Chile last October and has kept the senior side unbeaten in ten matches, recording six wins and four draws.
When people talk about Morocco, they are talking about a real contender and a major footballing nation. We want to keep going; we don’t want to stop.
— Mohamed Ouahbi
Azzedine Ounahi shone in the 3‑0 win over Canada in Houston, netting a double that helped secure Morocco’s place in the last eight. The team, however, lost Ismael Saibari, the 24‑year‑old Bayern Munich newcomer, to a hamstring strain after he left the field in tears.
France earned their quarter‑final spot by edging Paraguay 1‑0 in a tense last‑16 encounter. The French side now looks to build on that narrow victory as they prepare for the clash with the Atlas Lions.
The winner will move on to the semi‑finals, keeping alive the chance to replicate the deep run achieved four years ago. Fans in the UAE will be watching the action live at midnight.
Loading post…
Loading post…
