World Cup 2026: FIFA revisits Morocco-France rivalry ahead of blockbuster quarter-final

FIFA has revisited some of the most memorable encounters between Morocco and France ahead of their highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final, highlighting three historic meetings that have shaped the rivalry between the two nations.

According to FIFA, Thursday’s showdown in Boston will mark the seventh meeting between the two sides and only their second clash at a FIFA World Cup, following France’s 2-0 victory over Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The governing body identified three previous encounters that left a lasting impact on the history of both national teams.

The first was the semi-final of the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile, where Morocco, coached by Mohamed Wahbi, stunned France by winning 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

FIFA described that victory as a defining moment for Moroccan football, as the Atlas Lions went on to lift their first-ever FIFA youth World Cup title. Wahbi’s success with the youth team also paved the way for his promotion to head coach of the senior national team.

The report also reflected on the unforgettable 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Qatar, a match widely regarded as one of the greatest moments in Moroccan football history.

After becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final by eliminating Spain and Portugal, Morocco’s remarkable run was brought to an end by France, who claimed a 2-0 victory through goals from Theo Hernández and Randal Kolo Muani.

France advanced to the final before finishing runners-up to Argentina, while Morocco ended the tournament in fourth place after losing the third-place play-off to Croatia.

FIFA also recalled the friendly meeting between the two nations on May 29, 1998, in Casablanca as both teams prepared for the 1998 World Cup.

The match finished 2-2 in regulation time, with Salah Eddine Bassir scoring both of Morocco’s goals. The Atlas Lions eventually triumphed 6-5 in the penalty shootout, a result FIFA noted remains Morocco’s only senior victory over France, albeit achieved after penalties rather than in regulation time.

As the two teams prepare to renew their rivalry in Boston, FIFA believes Morocco have every reason to be optimistic.

The Atlas Lions head into the quarter-finals buoyed by another impressive World Cup campaign and driven by the desire to avenge the heartbreak of their 2022 semi-final defeat. With a place in the last four at stake, Morocco will be hoping to create another historic chapter against one of world football’s traditional powerhouses.