The Morocco national football team line up together before an international match

Morocco’s Quarter-Final Opponent: France, a Rematch of the 2022 Semi-Final

Last updated: Jul 9, 2026

Morocco are through to the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals after beating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16.

They now face France on Thursday, July 9 at Boston Stadium, a rematch of the 2022 semi-final.

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How Morocco Reached the Quarter-Finals

Morocco booked their World Cup 2026 quarter-final place with a 3-0 win over co-hosts Canada in the Round of 16 at NRG Stadium in Houston. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, in the 50th and 82nd minutes, before substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time.

It was Morocco’s second straight World Cup quarter-final, making them the first African side to reach the last eight more than once. The match was a physical affair that produced eight yellow cards, four for each side.

Morocco finished level with Group C winners Brazil on seven points, taking the runner-up spot on goal difference.
They then beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties in the Round of 32, after a 1-1 draw through extra time, with Yassine Bounou saving Crysencio Summerville’s spot-kick and Ismael Saibari netting the winning penalty.

The quarter-final is now fixed: France vs Morocco at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough on Thursday, July 9, kicking off at 4 PM US Eastern Time.

Match	Date	Venue	Kickoff	How They Got Here
France vs Morocco (QF)	Thu, July 9	Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), Foxborough	4 PM ET	Morocco beat Canada 3-0; France beat Paraguay 1-0

The Team Standing in Morocco’s Way: France

With both quarter-finalists confirmed, Morocco know exactly who waits: France, the 2022 runners-up and one of the pre-tournament favourites.

France reached the last eight by beating Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16, Kylian Mbappé converting a 70th-minute penalty after topping Group I and beating Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32.
History: France beat Morocco 2-0 in the semi-final at Qatar 2022 on their way to the final, so this is a chance for the Atlas Lions to avenge that defeat.

France carry serious firepower through Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, who scored a first-half hat-trick against Norway in the group stage.

The Confirmed Matchup: Morocco vs France

Morocco meet France at Boston Stadium on July 9, kicking off at 4 PM US Eastern Time. It is a repeat of the 2022 semi-final that France won 2-0, and Morocco, semi-finalists that year, arrive believing they can turn the tie around.

Morocco will be without Ismael Saibari for the quarter-final after he picked up a hamstring injury early in the win over Canada. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed on Wednesday that Saibari is not yet fit to return, with Rahimi, who scored off the bench against Canada, tipped to start in his place.

Image credit: Morocco’s national team line-up, photo by YantsImages via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Morocco still have momentum and a huge travelling support, with Achraf Hakimi and Azzedine Ounahi in form and Yassine Bounou dependable in goal after his shoot-out heroics against the Netherlands.

Fans planning the trip can line up hotels in Boston early, as quarter-final demand around Boston Stadium will be high.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Morocco’s quarter-final opponent?

France is Morocco’s opponent in the World Cup 2026 quarter-final, a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. Kickoff is 4 PM ET on Thursday, July 9 at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough.

How did Morocco reach the quarter-finals?

Morocco finished second in Group C level with Brazil on seven points, then beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties in the Round of 32. They followed that with a 3-0 win over co-host Canada in the Round of 16, Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice.

Have Morocco and France met before?

Yes, France beat Morocco 2-0 in the semi-final at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on their way to the final. Thursday’s quarter-final in Boston is a direct rematch of that game.