Substitutes
Substitutes
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- The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final brings together 2018 champions and 2022 runners-up France against Morocco, who achieved a historic fourth place in Qatar 2022. France seek to surpass three consecutive final appearances in Didier Deschamps' farewell tournament after 12 years at the helm. Morocco, under new manager Mohamed Ouahbi, aim to replicate their Qatar heroics when they became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals.
- France captain Kylian Mbappé (27, Real Madrid) enters his third World Cup with 98 caps and 56 goals, second only to Giroud's 57 in France's all-time scoring charts. The record is within reach as he looks to breach Morocco's defense. Ousmane Dembélé (29, PSG), who started the 2022 final, brings ambidextrous precision and explosive pace to unlock the flanks.
- Morocco's number 10 Brahim Díaz (26, Real Madrid) switched from Spain to Morocco in 2023, honoring his grandfather's roots. With 24 caps and 13 goals, his close-control dribbling and world-class finishing in tight spaces pose a genuine threat. Captain Achraf Hakimi (27, PSG) brings 95 caps and 11 goals, immortalized for scoring the decisive penalty against Spain in Qatar 2022's Round of 16.
- France's midfield axis features Aurélien Tchouaméni (26, Real Madrid) and Manu Koné (25, Roma) as the double pivot. Tchouaméni combines his 187cm frame with ball-winning and distribution skills, orchestrating play in his second World Cup. Morocco have Sofiane Amrabat (29, Real Betis) on the bench, whose work rate and aerial prowess earned him a World Cup Team of the Tournament nomination in 2022, ready as an impact substitute.
- France's defensive partnership of William Saliba (25, Arsenal) and Dayot Upamecano (27, Bayern Munich) anchors the backline. Saliba's 192cm frame and explosive pace earned PFA Player of the Year nominations, while Upamecano's one-on-one defending and recovery speed marshal the defense. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan (31, AC Milan) brings Serie A title-winning experience to his first World Cup as France's number one.
- Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (35, Al-Hilal) delivered legendary performances in Qatar 2022, saving two penalties against Spain and producing a man-of-the-match display against Portugal to secure Morocco's fourth place. The 89-cap veteran looks to replicate his heroics on the quarter-final stage.
- Both teams deploy 4-2-3-1 formations, making midfield control crucial. France's Adrien Rabiot (31, Marseille) offers left-footed precision and long-legged ball recovery. Morocco counter with 22-year-old Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart) and 26-year-old Azzedine Ounahi (Girona), whose technical skills and dribbling energize the midfield battle.
- This fixture is a rematch of the 2022 Qatar semi-final where France won 2-0. Morocco conceded to Theo Hernández and Randal Kolo Muani that night, but return with Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz as their new weapon, seeking revenge four years later. France target a third consecutive semi-final, while Morocco chase back-to-back World Cup fairy tales.