The quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup promise to be spectacular, with four top-class fixtures. The most eagerly anticipated match will see Morocco take on France on Thursday in Boston, in a clash that brings back memories of the 2022 World Cup semi-final.
Having comfortably beaten Canada 3–0, the Atlas Lions continue their remarkable run and will be looking to take their campaign to the next level against Les Bleus. Led by Mohamed Ouahbi, the Moroccans are aiming to reach the semi-finals once again and cement their status among the world’s best teams.
France, for their part, qualified following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay. Didier Deschamps’ men will need to be wary of a Moroccan side brimming with confidence, spearheaded by players such as Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, Achraf Hakimi and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The full quarter-final schedule
- Thursday 9 July
9.00 pm: Morocco v France (Boston)
- Friday 10 July
8.00 pm: Spain v Belgium (Los Angeles)
- Saturday 11 July
10.00 pm: Norway v England (Miami)
2.00 am: Argentina v Switzerland (Kansas City)
Morocco, Africa’s sole representative
These quarter-finals once again highlight the strong presence of European teams. Six of the eight teams still in the running are from Europe: France, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England and Switzerland.
Morocco stands out as the exception, representing African football. Having made history in 2022 by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, the Atlas Lions have confirmed their consistency at the highest level by reaching the quarter-finals once again.
Argentina is the only South American side still in the competition. As reigning world champions, the Albiceleste will be aiming to continue their quest for another World Cup title, whilst Morocco dreams of continuing to write one of the finest chapters in the history of African football.
