France Progresses to World Cup Semi-Finals After Victory Over Morocco
France progressed in the World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Morocco. The match saw Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé making key contributions for France. Mbappé, who leads the Golden Boot race based on assists, received an icepack on his right ankle after a challenge during the game.
Dembélé scored from the edge of the D, with Bounou getting a hand to the shot but unable to keep it out. This goal followed a dummy run by Mbappé, creating space for Dembélé. Later in the match, Mateta replaced Mbappé, a move described as precautionary.
Morocco’s World Cup Ambitions
Morocco have been working to establish themselves as a footballing powerhouse. Neil Ward, who served as director of technical operations at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) from 2020 to 2024, noted the country’s passion and strategic plans. Ward was in Rabat when Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals a couple of years prior.
The country’s football development has seen sustained investment, supported by King Mohammed VI. This includes funding for a training facility, a national academy, regional training centres, stadium redevelopments, and amateur pitches. Simon Jennings, who oversaw youth development in Morocco between 2020 and 2024, emphasized that this growth is a result of clear national ambition.
Morocco’s approach to talent identification involves scouting promising players with Moroccan roots at an early stage. Full-time scouts are deployed in countries such as France, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Of the 26 members in Morocco’s current World Cup squad, 19 were born outside the country. Six of these players were also eligible to play for France, including midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The RMFF aims to increase the number of senior internationals from its domestic production line. Chris van Puyvelde, former technical director at the RMFF from 2022 to 2025, stated a target for the next World Cup to have an equal split between Moroccan-born players and those raised elsewhere. Mohamed Ouahbi, the current Morocco manager, was promoted to the senior team role after leading the under-20 side to win the Under-20 World Cup, and has a deal until the 2030 edition.
Match Incidents and Player Notes
During the quarter-final, Morocco attempted to create opportunities. In the 84th minute, Hakimi curled a ball towards the near post, which El Aynaoui met with a header that went into the side netting. Moments earlier, Ounahi had a shot from distance turned around the post by Maignan, leading to a corner.
A challenge by Diop on Mbappé in the 63rd minute resulted in a booking for Diop. Mbappé was later seen in the dugout with an icepack on his right ankle. Despite this, Mbappé appeared to be in good spirits, grinning and hugging his teammates after the match, and did not seem to be in discomfort as he pulled on his boot to celebrate.
France’s Didier Deschamps expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting that while they were not at their peak, the class of Mbappé and Dembélé made the difference. The next challenge for France will be against either Spain or Belgium.
In the 90th minute plus four, Dembélé set up Mateta, who scuffed a shot intended for the bottom right, which Bounou cleared. Earlier, in the 80th minute, Barcola combined with Olise before sending a cross-cum-shot through the Moroccan six-yard box, resulting in a corner.
Morocco’s Talbi swept a cross in from the left in the 73rd minute, which Upamecano cleared over the bar. Barcola replaced Doue on the left wing in the 78th minute.
Source: theguardian.com
