France Vs Morocco Predicted Starting XIs For FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal

Published 9 July 2026 · sports

France Vs Morocco Predicted Starting XIs For FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal Published By, Last Updated: July 09, 2026, 14:18 IST Two-time champions France face

France Vs Morocco Predicted Starting XIs For FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal Published By, Last Updated: July 09, 2026, 14:18 IST Two-time champions France face Morocco in the first quarterfinal clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Kylian Mbappe (left) and Achraf Hakimi (AP Photo) France haven’t been really tested en route to yet another FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals stage. However, Thursday’s meeting with Morocco is expected to provide Didier Deschamps’ men with their sternest football test of the tournament so far. It’s a rematch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal in Qatar when France ended Morocco’s historic run. This time, however, Morocco arrive not as surprise contenders but as an accomplished side that has openly declared its ambition to win the competition.

France booked their place in the last eight with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay, overcoming a disciplined, deep defensive block that disrupted the tempo and left few openings. Kylian Mbappe scored his seventh goal of the tournament, but the performance highlighted the increasingly demanding nature of the knockout rounds. Morocco present a different challenge. Mohamed Ouahbi’s team have demonstrated the ability to defend compactly, dominate possession and strike quickly in transition. Their 3-0 last-16 win over Canada reinforced the impression of a side gathering momentum after progressing unbeaten from a group featuring Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, collecting seven points. France have yet to face an opponent combining Morocco’s technical quality, athleticism and confidence. Sweden were comfortably beaten in the last 32, while Paraguay offered defensive resistance without the same attacking threat.

France are likely to be without midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni because of a muscle injury, while Morocco are expected to miss key striker Ismael Saibari. Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola have formed one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacks, but Morocco’s organisation and belief should provide the clearest measure yet of France’s overall strength. France Predicted Starting XI: Mike Maignan; Jules Kound, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne; Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue; Kylian Mbappe Morocco Predicted Starting XI: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui; Ayyoub Bouaddi, Azzedine Ounahi, Neil El Aynaoui; Brahim Díaz, Soufiane Rahimi, Bilal El Khannouss With Reuters Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Feroz Khan Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent.