Fearsome France face Morocco might in first of the last eight meetings

Foxborough (Massachusetts) [US], July 9: France will aim to keep their perfect run at the FIFA World Cup 2026 going when they take on Morocco in the quarter-final on Thursday.
After a month of scintillating action that has dispelled pre-tournament anxieties, the biggest, boldest and most logistically complex FIFA World Cup ever staged has been whittled down to eight teams.
France, who have emerged as the outstanding team of the tournament after a series of dazzling attacking displays, face arguably their toughest test so far in the shape of African champions Morocco at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Boston.
Les Bleus have surged into the last eight in style, scoring 14 goals in five games - seven of them from in-form captain Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe is one of four star strikers who are leading the chase for the FIFA World Cup's Golden Boot as the tournament enters the home stretch.
Argentina's Lionel Messi tops the scoring chart with eight, Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland have seven each and England's Harry Kane has six.
Thursday's opening quarter-final is a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final in Qatar, won 2-0 by France, who would go on to lose in the final against Argentina.
France coach Didier Deschamps said he was unconcerned by the appointment of Argentine officials to oversee the match, with a repeat of the 2022 final still possible.
A heated rivalry between the two teams grew out of that match in Doha.
"There is nothing I can do about refereeing appointments. I just try to have confidence in the officials," said Deschamps, who is stepping down after the tournament.
He added: "Our opponents are Morocco. I can't consider the referee to be an opponent."
Morocco meanwhile have looked impressive en route to the last eight, easing through the group phase before battling past the Netherlands in the last 32 and swatting aside Canada in the Round of 16 last weekend.
The Atlas Lions will threaten France with a mix of technical quality, physicality and tactical nous under the guidance of head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who masterminded Morocco's shock victory in the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year.
Ouahbi has a well blended squad with Yassine Bounou and Achraf Hakimi providing experience and the likes of Ayyoub Bouaddi, Anass Salah-Eddine and Brahim Diaz complementing them with their immense talent.
The winners will advance to a semi-final showdown against either European champions Spain and Belgium.
Source: Qatar Tribune