France face Morocco as World Cup 2026 quarter-finals begin
The 2026 World Cup quarter-finals begin on Thursday as tournament favourites France take on Morocco in Foxborough, United States.
Just eight nations remain from the original 48-team field as the race to lift the prestigious trophy on 19 July intensifies.
Opta’s supercomputer has backed Les Bleus to win the tournament, but they face a stern test against an inspired North African side.
The compelling schedule also sees Spain clash with Belgium on Friday, before Norway meet England and Argentina play Switzerland over the weekend.
Mbappe leads lethal French attack
Kylian Mbappe has put a tumultuous club season with Real Madrid behind him by setting this global showpiece alight.
The electric forward has already registered seven goals in the competition, taking his overall tally to a staggering 19 goals in 19 World Cup appearances.
He is now directly competing with Lionel Messi for the all-time scoring record on football’s biggest stage.
However, the two-time champions possess far more than just one superstar, boasting a terrifying front four that includes Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele.
Emerging stars and suspension risks
Roma midfielder Manu Kone has been a revelation for the European giants, cementing his place as a modern, press-resistant enforcer.
The 25-year-old was relatively unknown before the tournament but has consistently caught the eye of elite scouts with his dominant midfield displays.
Despite their overall dominance, discipline could become an issue for Didier Deschamps’ squad as they chase further glory.
Both Olise and exciting young prospect Bradley Barcola are just one booking away from a potential semi-final suspension.
Morocco aim for another historic run
Standing in their way are a resilient Moroccan outfit who famously became the first African side to reach the semi-finals in 2022.
They have successfully backed up that historic performance with another deeply promising campaign across North America.
After holding Brazil to an exciting draw in their opening fixture, the Atlas Lions navigated past the Netherlands via a dramatic penalty shootout.
A routine victory over co-hosts Canada subsequently secured their rightful place among the final eight.