France vs Morocco: A Rivalry Renewed on the World Cup Stage

The 2026 World Cup quarterfinals are set to deliver a rematch of the previous tournament's semifinal. France and Morocco will face off once again, this time with a place in the final four of the Mundial on the line. For Didier Deschamps' side, it's another step toward defending their crown. For Morocco, it's a chance to prove that their magical run in Qatar was no fluke. These two nations have met six times across official and friendly competitions. France holds the edge with four wins and two draws — Morocco has never beaten Les Bleus. Their first official encounter came in 1988 at a tournament in Monaco. France won 2-1 thanks to an own goal by Abdelmajid Lamriss and a strike from Yannick Stopyra. Lamriss also scored Morocco's only goal that day. The most famous meeting was the 2022 World Cup semifinal in Doha. France won 2-0 with goals from Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute and Randal Kolo Muani in the 79th. Morocco pushed hard but couldn't beat Hugo Lloris. In four friendlies, France has two wins and two draws. The North Africans are still searching for their first victory against the French. Now, four years after Qatar, the stage is set for another chapter. The winner will face either Argentina or the Netherlands in the semifinals.