FRI, JULY 10 AT 1:30AM
Foxborough (USA), July 8: France will be aiming to reach a third consecutive FIFA World Cup semi-final when they take on Morocco at Boston Stadium on Friday.
Les Bleus lifted the trophy in 2018 and were runners-up in 2022, going down to Lionel Messi’s Argentina after overcoming Morocco in the semi-finals.
Should France advance, they will become only the third nation to reach the last four in three successive tournaments, joining Germany (4 from 2002-2014 and 3 from 1982-1990) and Brazil (3 from 1994-2002).
Didier Deschamps’ side were made uncomfortable for the first time in North America in their fractious last-16 clash with Paraguay.
Although Paraguay did not receive a single booking, the match was ill-tempered, and the South American side attempted to provoke their opponents and throw them off their game. However, France eventually secured a 1-0 victory thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s 70th-minute penalty.
The spot-kick took Mbappé onto seven goals for the tournament – level with Erling Haaland and one behind Messi in what is set to be a captivating race for the Golden Boot with Argentina and Norway also in the quarterfinals.
Mbappé has also made two assists and created 12 chances for France at this World Cup, with only Michael Olise (9) providing more than his eight defensive line-breaking passes for Les Bleus.
The pair have been central to France’s powerful attack, with Olise becoming the first player to complete 10+ dribbles (11), create 10+ chances in open play (10) and make 10+ through balls (11) in his debut World Cup since Brazil’s Zico in 1978.
With Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé also impressing, France are on a seven-game winning streak in competitive matches and have been victorious in 11 of their past 12 (1 draw). The last time they won eight straight was between September 2002 and June 2004 (a run of 14).
It will be tough for Morocco to stop France from achieving that, particularly if they are without Ismael Saibari.
Saibari scored in all their group games but was forced off in the first half of the 3-0 victory over Canada in the last 16 with a thigh injury, making him a doubt for the clash with France.
Should the new Bayern Munich signing be deemed unfit, the Atlas Lions will need the likes of Brahim Díaz and Achraf Hakimi to continue their fine attacking form.
Since the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Díaz has been directly involved in more goals than any other Morocco player across all competitions (6 goals, 4 assists).
Across the last two World Cups, Hakimi has created more chances than any other defender (21). His 15 chances created at this year’s competition are the most by an African defender in a single edition on record (since 1966).
Mohamed Ouahbi’s only other injury concern for the match is Chadi Riad, who sat out the game against Canada with a knee injury sustained in the last-32 victory over the Netherlands.
Manu Koné may continue in midfield for France if Aurélien Tchouaméni does not recover from the groin injury that kept him out against Paraguay, while William Saliba struggled through that match with a back injury.
Deschamps will hope Saliba is fit enough to start again as France look to advance to a semi-final against Spain or Belgium. (Agencies)
