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France and Morocco meet in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a place in the last four on the line at Gillette Stadium in Boston.
Didier Deschamps' side has continued its pursuit of a third World Cup title, while Morocco is aiming to build on its historic run by reaching another semifinal on the biggest stage.
Who will start for France? Will Morocco make any changes after its impressive Round of 16 victory? The Sporting News looks at the latest projected lineups and team news ahead of Thursday's quarterfinal clash.
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France projected starting 11
(4-2-3-1, right to left): 16. M. Maignan (GK) — 5. J. Kounde, 4. D. Upamecano, 17. W. Saliba, 3. L. Digne — 14. A. Rabiot, 6. M. Kone — 7. O. Dembele, 11. M. Olise, 20. D. Doue — 10. K. Mbappe
- Injured: A. Tchouameni (thigh, doubt)
- Suspended: None
- On a yellow card: B. Barcola, M. Kone, M. Olise
Deschamps is expected to stick with the majority of the side that edged past Paraguay in the Round of 16.
Manu Kone is likely to retain his place in midfield after replacing Aurelien Tchouameni against Paraguay, with the Real Madrid midfielder still struggling with a thigh injury. Adrien Rabiot will continue alongside him in the double pivot.
There could be one change in attack, where Desire Doue is pushing to start after coming off the bench to win the decisive penalty against Paraguay. If selected, he would join Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele in France's front four.
At the back, Deschamps appears to have settled on his preferred defensive unit, with Mike Maignan behind Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Lucas Digne.
Morocco projected starting 11
(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Y. Bounou (GK) — 2. A. Hakimi, 14. I. Diop, 18. C. Riad, 3. N. Mazraoui — 24. N. El Aynaoui, 6. A. Bouaddi — 10. B. Diaz, 8. A. Ounahi, 23. B. El Khannouss — 9. S. Rahimi
- Injured: I. Saibari (hamstring)
- Suspended: None
- On a yellow card: A. Hakimi, I. Diop, B. El Khannouss, A. Ounahi, R. Halhal
Morocco are set to be without winger Ismael Saibari, who was forced off with a thigh injury during the Round of 16 victory over Canada and is not expected to be fit for this game.
Soufiane Rahimi is expected to lead the line after replacing Saibari against the co-hosts, while Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi and Bilal El Khannouss should continue behind the striker.
Ayyoub Bouaddi and Neil El Aynaoui have formed Morocco's preferred midfield pairing throughout the tournament and are expected to keep their places.
At the back, Chadi Riad is expected to return if fit after missing the Canada match, partnering Issa Diop in central defence alongside full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui, with Yassine Bounou in goal.
France vs. Morocco predictions, betting odds
France have not always been at their fluent best, but Deschamps' side continue to find a way through tight knockout matches. Morocco have the defensive structure and counterattacking threat to make this uncomfortable, but France's depth and individual quality should just about be enough.
- Score prediction: France 2-1 Morocco
France vs. Morocco World Cup rosters
Here are the France and Morocco squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as confirmed by FIFA on May 26, 2026.
France World Cup Squad
MORE: A complete breakdown of France's 2026 World Cup squad
Head coach: Didier Deschamps
| Pos | No. | Name | Club | Age | Caps |
| GK | 16 | Mike Maignan | AC Milan (Serie A, Italy) | 30 | 38 |
| GK | 23 | Robin Risser | Lens (Ligue 1, France) | 21 | 0 |
| GK | 1 | Brice Samba | Rennes (Ligue 1, France) | 32 | 4 |
| DEF | 3 | Lucas Digne | Aston Villa (Premier League, England) | 32 | 56 |
| DEF | 2 | Malo Gusto | Chelsea (Premier League, England) | 23 | 9 |
| DEF | 21 | Lucas Hernandez | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) | 30 | 41 |
| DEF | 19 | Theo Hernandez | Al-Hilal (Pro League, Saudi Arabia) | 28 | 42 |
| DEF | 15 | Ibrahima Konate | Liverpool (Premier League, England) | 27 | 27 |
| DEF | 5 | Jules Kounde | Barcelona (La Liga, Spain) | 27 | 46 |
| DEF | 26 | Maxence Lacroix | Crystal Palace (Premier League, England) | 26 | 2 |
| DEF | 4 | Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 27 | 36 |
| DEF | 17 | William Saliba | Arsenal (Premier League, England) | 25 | 31 |
| MID | 13 | N'Golo Kante | Fenerbahce (Super Lig, Turkey) | 35 | 67 |
| MID | 6 | Manu Kone | AS Roma (Serie A, Italy) | 25 | 12 |
| MID | 14 | Adrien Rabiot | AC Milan (Serie A, Italy) | 31 | 57 |
| MID | 8 | Aurelien Tchouameni | Real Madrid (La Liga, Spain) | 26 | 44 |
| MID | 18 | Warren Zaire-Emery | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) | 20 | 10 |
| FWD | 25 | Maghnes Akliouche | Monaco (Ligue 1, France) | 24 | 7 |
| FWD | 12 | Bradley Barcola | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) | 23 | 18 |
| FWD | 24 | Rayan Cherki | Manchester City (Premier League, England) | 22 | 5 |
| FWD | 7 | Ousmane Dembele | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) | 29 | 58 |
| FWD | 20 | Desire Doue | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) | 21 | 6 |
| FWD | 22 | Jean-Philippe Mateta | Crystal Palace (Premier League, England) | 28 | 3 |
| FWD | 10 | Kylian Mbappe | Real Madrid (La Liga, Spain) | 27 | 96 |
| FWD | 11 | Michael Olise | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany) | 24 | 15 |
| FWD | 9 | Marcus Thuram | Inter Milan (Serie A, Italy) | 28 | 33 |
Morocco World Cup Squad
Head coach: Mohamed Ouahbi
| GK | 1 | Yassine Bounou | Al Hilal (Pro League, Saudi Arabia) | 35 | 90 |
| GK | 12 | Munir Mohamedi | RS Berkane (Botola Pro, Morocco) | 30 | 3 |
| GK | 22 | Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti | AS FAR (Botola Pro, Morocco) | 37 | 53 |
| DEF | 19 | Youssef Belammari | Al Ahly (Premier League, Egypt) | 27 | 19 |
| DEF | 14 | Issa Diop | Fulham (Premier League, England) | 29 | 4 |
| DEF | 13 | Zakaria El Ouahdi | Genk (Pro League, Belgium) | 24 | 3 |
| DEF | 2 | Achraf Hakimi | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) | 27 | 96 |
| DEF | 25 | Redouane Halhal | Mechelen (Pro League, Belgium) | 23 | 3 |
| DEF | 3 | Noussair Mazraoui | Man United (Premier League, England) | 28 | 45 |
| DEF | 18 | Chadi Riad | Crystal Palace (Premier League, England) | 22 | 6 |
| DEF | 5 | Marwane Saadane | Al Fateh (Pro League, Saudi Arabia) | 34 | 8 |
| DEF | 26 | Anass Salah-Eddine | PSV (Eredivisie, Netherlands) | 24 | 9 |
| MID | 4 | Sofyan Amrabat | Real Betis (La Liga, Spain) | 29 | 75 |
| MID | 6 | Ayyoub Bouaddi | Lille (Ligue 1, France) | 18 | 4 |
| MID | 24 | Neil El Aynaoui | AS Roma (Serie A, Italy) | 24 | 16 |
| MID | 23 | Bilal El Khannouss | Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany) | 22 | 37 |
| MID | 15 | Samir El Mourabet | Strasbourg (Ligue 1, France) | 19 | 4 |
| MID | 8 | Azzedine Ounahi | Girona (Segunda Division, Spain) | 26 | 49 |
| MID | 11 | Ismael Saibari | PSV (Eredivisie, Netherlands) | 25 | 31 |
| MID | 7 | Chemsdine Talbi | Sunderland (Premier League, England) | 21 | 5 |
| MID | 16 | Gessime Yassine | Strasbourg (Ligue 1, France) | 20 | 5 |
| FWD | 21 | Ayoube Amaimouni | Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga, Germany) | 21 | 2 |
| FWD | 10 | Brahim Diaz | Real Madrid (La Liga, Spain) | 26 | 26 |
| FWD | 20 | Ayoub El Kaabi | Olympiacos (Super League, Greece) | 32 | 71 |
| FWD | 9 | Soufiane Rahimi | Al Ain (Pro League, UAE) | 30 | 37 |
| FWD | 17 | Amine Sbai | Angers (Ligue 1, France) | 25 | 2 |
Where to watch France vs. Morocco
In USA:
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website
This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories:
| Canada | TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, RDS | TSN+, RDS app |
| UK | ITV1, STV Scotland | ITVX, STV Player |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| India | Unite8 Sports 1, 2 | ZEE5 |
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