Evening Standard
·8 Juli 2026
France vs Morocco: World Cup 2026 prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·8 Juli 2026

A rematch from the 2022 semi-final kicks off this year’s last-eight ties
Les Bleus have been the standout team at this summer’s expanded tournament, topping Group I with an 100 percent winning record before comfortably beating Sweden in the round of 32.
The last-16 battle with Paraguay proved a difficult barrier to overcome, though Kylian Mbappe eventually found the breakthrough from the penalty spot to set up a rematch from the semi-final showdown in Qatar four years ago.
After seeing Egypt eliminated by Argentina in controversial fashion, the Atlas Lions are now Africa’s only representatives in North America and are seeking to reach back-to-back World Cup semi-finals.
The winners will face the victors of the Spain vs Belgium tie.
France vs Morocco is scheduled for a 9pm BST kick-off on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
The match will take place at the Boston Stadium.
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 8pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via the ITVX app or the ITV website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with BBC iPlayer / ITVX app and their websites.
Didier Deschamps will make a late decision on Aurelien Tchouameni after a thigh injury kept him out of the 1-0 win over Paraguay in the last-16.
If fit, the midfielder could replace Manu Kone. Elsewhere, Desire Doue could be rewarded for his impact off the bench last time out, potentially replacing Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target Bradley Barcola.
Aurelien Tchouameni is a doubt for France
Getty
France squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamenaco
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe, Jean-Phillipe Mateta, Marcus Thuram
Morocco, meanwhile, are sweating over the fitness of leading scorer Ismael Saibari after he was forced off with a muscular injury during the first half against Canada.
Reports claim the knock is not as serious as first feared, though it’s unclear if he will be fit enough to face France. Soufiane Rahimi came off the bench to score in the last-16 win and could do the same if the new Bayern Munich forward can’t feature from the start.
Morocco squad
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss, Samir El Mourabet, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Gessime Yassine
Forwards: Ismael Saibari, Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, Soufiane Rahimi, Chemsdine Talbi, Ayoube Amaimouni, Amine Sbai
This is a tough game for France, potentially their toughest test to date as Morocco, technically, are unbeaten in their last 34 matches across all competitions.
However, the last team to beat Morocco at a World Cup was France when the sides met in the 2022 semi-final and we think history will repeat itself with the Atlas Lions failing to avenge that loss.
France wins: 4
Morocco wins: 1
Draws: 1







































