France and Morocco meet in World Cup quarter-final as ties thaw | OneFootball

France face Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final in Boston, the United States, on Thursday evening, set against a marked thaw between the two nations.

According to Le Progres, the pair are tied by deep historical, family, economic and cultural links, and relations have been excellent since 2024.

In 2022, France’s 2-0 World Cup semi-final win in Qatar unfolded amid a diplomatic row. Paris halved visas for Moroccans over OQTF return disputes, and tensions rose after Emmanuel Macron visited Algiers two months before the tournament.

Relations soured further in 2023 when Morocco declined French aid after the Marrakech-area earthquake, and during the Pegasus spying affair alleging surveillance of French officials, including the president.

The reset accelerated in July 2024 when Macron recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move long sought by Rabat. The territory is also claimed by the Polisario Front, which has strong backing from Algiers.

In October 2024, King Mohammed VI welcomed Macron and his wife Brigitte at Rabat airport for a state visit, ending the longest rift since 1956. Ties were upgraded to an enhanced exceptional partnership. Trade has doubled in 10 years and is balanced, Morocco is France’s leading African partner, and France is its second supplier and second customer.

The warming should bring an official visit by Mohammed VI to France in the coming months, when both sides plan to sign a bilateral treaty, the first with a non-European state for France.

Source: Le Progres