The France national football team faced the Morocco national football team on Thursday in the opening quarter-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, renewing one of the tournament’s most memorable recent rivalries. The match took place at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT (4:00 PM ET).
France entered the contest after winning all five of its matches in the tournament, while Morocco arrived as the reigning African champions, carrying an outstanding 34-match unbeaten run. The latest France vs Morocco meeting also revived memories of the 2022 World Cup semi-final, where France claimed a 2–0 victory to end Morocco’s historic campaign.
France vs Morocco Match Context and Team News
The buildup to France vs Morocco centered on two of the tournament’s most in-form teams. France had looked dominant throughout the World Cup, combining defensive stability with one of the competition’s most dangerous attacks. Morocco, meanwhile, continued to impress with disciplined defending and quick transitions that had carried them through the knockout stage.
France faced injury concerns ahead of kickoff. Aurélien Tchouaméni remained a major doubt with a thigh injury, while Marcus Thuram was unavailable. Morocco also suffered a significant setback after Ismael Saibari was ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in the previous round.
Key Players and Match Outlook
Kylian Mbappé entered the quarter-final leading the Golden Boot race with seven goals, while Michael Olise had already registered five assists during the tournament.
Morocco looked to Brahim Díaz to provide creativity, with captain Achraf Hakimi expected to play a key role at both ends of the pitch. Soufiane Rahimi was also expected to lead the attack in Saibari’s absence.
With a place in the World Cup semi-finals at stake, this France vs Morocco clash promised another memorable chapter between two of international football’s strongest sides.
Full-Time Update
France defeated Morocco 2-0 to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals after a disciplined performance at Boston Stadium. Following a goalless first half, Kylian Mbappé inspired the victory with a goal and an assist before being substituted late in the match.
Key Match Moments
5′ Corner – France: Dayot Upamecano meets the first corner of the match with a header, but Yassine Bounou makes a comfortable save.
27′ VAR Review: The referee reviews a challenge by Noussair Mazraoui on Kylian Mbappé inside the penalty area.
27′ Penalty Awarded – France: Following the VAR review, France is awarded a penalty.
27′ Penalty Saved: Mbappé’s spot kick is brilliantly saved by Bounou to keep the score level.
45′ Half-Time: The teams head into the break with the score still 0-0.
60′ Goal – France 1-0 Morocco: Mbappé curls a superb finish into the far corner to break the deadlock and score his eighth goal of the tournament.
61′ Substitution – Morocco: Soufiane Rahimi replaces Bilal El Khannouss.
61′ Substitution – Morocco: Sofyan Amrabat replaces Ayyoub Bouaddi.
63′ Yellow Card – Morocco: Issa Diop is booked for a late challenge.
66′ Goal – France 2-0 Morocco: Ousmane Dembélé finishes calmly after being set up by Mbappé, doubling France’s lead.
70′ Substitution – France: Warren Zaïre-Emery replaces Manu Koné.
73′ Substitution – Morocco: Zakaria El Ouahdi replaces Anass Salah-Eddine.
73′ Substitution – Morocco: Gessime Yassine replaces Brahim Díaz.
76′ Substitution – France: Jean-Philippe Mateta replaces Kylian Mbappé.
76′ Substitution – France: Bradley Barcola replaces Désiré Doué.
77′ Injury Update: Mbappé is icing his ankle after leaving the pitch but walks off unaided.
84′ Substitution – Morocco: Amine Sbaï replaces Chemsdine Talbi.
86′ Substitution – France: Malo Gusto replaces Jules Koundé.
90+7′ Full-Time: The referee blows the final whistle as France secure a 2-0 victory and advance to the World Cup semi-finals.
France vs Morocco Results Today: FIFA World Cup Quarter-final Live Score, Updates, Stats