France faces Morocco in World Cup quarterfinal as Moroccan fans eye 2022 revenge
The first quarterfinal of the 2026 World Cup pits tournament favorite France against Morocco, with Moroccan fans hoping to avenge their 2022 semifinal defeat.
The matchup
The first quarterfinal of the 2026 World Cup kicks off on Thursday, July 9, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts (also referred to as Boston Stadium). Tournament favorite France, aiming for a third consecutive final, faces a Morocco side determined to avenge its semifinal loss to Les Bleus in Qatar four years ago. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET (9 p.m. BST).
France has been the most dominant team in the tournament, with an attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise causing constant problems for defenses. In the round of 16, France ground out a 1-0 win over Paraguay, showing they can win even when not at their free-flowing best. Brazil's elimination has left France as the must-see team wowing crowds with regularity.
Morocco's road to the quarterfinal
Morocco's 2026 campaign began with a 1-1 draw against Brazil and included group-stage wins over Scotland and Haiti. They edged the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32 and thumped Canada in the last 16. The team has tried to evolve from the defense-first approach of 2022 into a side that can outplay opponents, and the draw with Brazil was a sign of progress.
They are more eager and hungrier to win, and to make up for a chance that slipped away from us four years ago.
Fan fervor in Boston
Moroccan supporters have flooded Boston, painting the city red with flags and jerseys. The official FIFA fan zone was dismantled on Wednesday, but the arrival of thousands of Moroccan fans has kept the World Cup atmosphere alive. Many see the match as a grudge match for 2022.
We truly believe in this team, and we back them to avenge the pain of 2022.
In Paris, the Moroccan diaspora is also torn between two nations. A waitress named Saloua told Le Monde she had no doubt:
Morocco will win. It's my country, period!
What the odds say
France is the heaviest favorite of the quarterfinal round, with odds around -400 (1-to-4). Morocco, despite being the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal and arguably having more talent than in 2022, remains a significant underdog. An early French goal could make it very difficult for Morocco to mount a comeback, but the Atlas Lions' defensive resilience and counterattacking threat cannot be discounted. France wants the game to be open, and an early goal would allow that, but Morocco is a far more capable opponent than Paraguay.
