France and Morocco face off in the 2026 World Cup on Thursday at 9pm (UK time) with a spot in the semi-finals on the line.
Les Bleus have reached each of the past two World Cup Finals and they’re on course to making it three in a row in 2026. But there’s still two more games to be win. France remain perfect at the World Cup, winning all of their five games so far. After finishing top of their group, France went up against Sweden in the round-of-32, beating their European rivals 3-0. Things were a lot tougher in the last-16 and France had to battle for their 1-0 win over Paraguay, courtesy of a Kylian Mbappe penalty.
Morocco are also looking to keep a streak going. They reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022, becoming the first African side to reach that stage. It would be even more historic to become the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-final twice, let alone in consecutive tournaments. They were in a tough group but finished second, setting up a last-32 tie against the Netherlands. Morocco kept their hopes alive with a late equaliser, eventually beating the Oranje on penalties. Morocco then beat co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the last-16, thanks to a fine second-half display.
This will be the ninth game between these two sides, and the first since the 2022 World Cup. Les Bleus beat Morocco in the semi-finals four years ago, before finishing as runners-up.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
France vs Morocco team news
France team news
Didier Deschamps made one change for the win against Paraguay, with Manu Kone replacing Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield. Kone is likely to keep his spot in the team, having started three of France’s games so far. Adrien Rabiot has started four out of five, so should continue to partner Kone in the double pivot.
There may be a change in attack, though. Bradley Barcola didn’t have the most-productive game against Paraguay, though France’s attack wasn’t given too many opportunities. He was replaced on the hour-mark by Desire Doue, who eventually won the winning penalty. Doue may get the nod, having alternated the left-wing role with Barcola. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele will join him in the attack.
Deschamps looks to have found his favoured defensive setup. Mike Maignan will continue in goal, with Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba at centre-back. Lucas Digne looks to have overtaken Theo Hernandez as France’s first-choice left-back, while Jules Kounde appears unrivalled on the right. That back five have started three of France’s five matches so far.
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Morocco team news
Morocco’s last-16 win over Canada was bittersweet. Despite booking their spot in the quarter-finals, Morocco lost Ismael Saibari early due to injury and he’s a doubt for this clash. Soufiane Rahimi was the one to replace him — ahead of Ayoub El Kaabi — and he could lead the line here. The rest of the attacking line should stay the same.
Azzedine Ounahi was the goalscoring hero against Canada, netting twice from the No.10. He’ll be flanked by Brahim Diaz and Bilal El Khannouss, looking to probe a stern France defence. Morocco have had a set double pivot across the World Cup so far, with Ayyoub Bouaddi and Neil El Aynaoui starting four of their five matches.
Chadi Riad missed the win over Canada through injury and was replaced by Redouane Halhal. But he is likely to return to partner Issa Diop at the heart of Morocco’s defence. Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui will be the full-backs, with Yassine Bounou in goal.
France vs Morocco predicted lineups
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Rabiot, Kone; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.
Morocco (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Rahimi.
Read more: