France vs Morocco: World Cup quarterfinal prediction, start time, lineups
France and Morocco meet in the World Cup quarterfinals. France are favorites, but Morocco, despite Saibari's injury, have a strong chance.
The 2026 World Cup quarterfinals kick off with a blockbuster between title favorites France and African champions Morocco. The match is on Thursday, July 9, at 4pm ET (20:00 GMT) at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
France, two-time world champions and runners-up in 2022, have been the most balanced team, winning all five matches with 14 goals scored and just two conceded. Kylian Mbappe leads the Golden Boot race with seven goals, supported by Dembele, Olise, and Barcola.
Morocco finished second in Group C and then stunned the Netherlands on penalties before beating Canada 3-0 in the round of 16. The Atlas Lions are no longer underdogs but serious contenders, having won the 2025 AFCON and holding a 34-match unbeaten streak. However, they will be without injured forward Ismael Saibari, who scored three goals in the tournament.
France assistant coach Guy Stephan praised Morocco as a well-organized, well-structured team strong in transition. The Opta supercomputer gives France a 61.7% chance of winning in regular time, Morocco 16.2%, and a 22.1% probability of extra time.
Predicted lineups: France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe. Morocco (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Rahimi.
