France, the outstanding side of the tournament to date, kick off the quarter-finals against Morocco at Gillette Stadium, outside Boston, in a rematch of the two teams’ 2022 World Cup semi-final meeting.
France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates with defender #02 Malo Gusto after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between France and Sweden at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)
France take on Morocco on Thursday in a blockbuster World Cup quarter-final showdown as the largest and most logistically complex edition of the footballing showpiece ever staged enters the home straight.
After a month of spellbinding action that has seen 280 goals scored in 96 matches, the expanded field of 48 has been whittled down to just eight teams who are dreaming of winning the title at the July 19 final in East Rutherford.
France, the outstanding side of the tournament to date, kick off the quarter-finals against Morocco at Gillette Stadium, outside Boston, in a rematch of the two teams’ 2022 World Cup semi-final meeting.
A defeat for Les Bleus would mark the end of the road for France coach Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down after a successful 14-year reign at the conclusion of the tournament.
Deschamps, one of only three men to win the World Cup as both a player and coach, said Wednesday he is paying scant attention to his personal legacy.
“I am not thinking about that at all. In my head, with my staff, the objective is just to do everything we can so that things go well. I am focused on this Morocco team and on things going well for us,” Deschamps said.
The France coach also dismissed concerns shared widely across social media that the choice of Argentinian referee Facundo Tello could spell trouble for his side.
France and Argentina are on a collision course to reach the final in a repeat of the 2022 final won by the South Americans.
“There are always decisions that can lead to debate depending on which side you are on, but our opponents are Morocco,” Deschamps said. “I can’t consider the referee to be an opponent.”
