The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy enters a decisive stage on Thursday as France and Morocco lock horns in one of the tournament’s most anticipated quarter-final clashes.
Only eight teams remain in contention after a month of thrilling football, with the expanded 48-team competition edging closer to its July 19 final in East Rutherford.
France, widely regarded as the standout team of the tournament so far, will face Morocco at Gillette Stadium outside Boston in a repeat of their 2022 World Cup semi-final encounter.
The quarter-finals begin after an action-packed tournament that has produced 280 goals in 96 matches, with the remaining teams now battling for a place in the last four.
For France manager, Didier Deschamps, the stakes are even higher. A defeat would bring an end to his remarkable 14-year spell in charge, as he is set to step down after the tournament.
The former World Cup-winning player and coach, however, insisted he is not thinking about his 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 on Wednesday.
The French coach also played down concerns over the appointment of Argentine referee, Facundo Tello, despite widespread speculation on social media.
France could meet defending champions, Argentina in the final, setting up a repeat of the dramatic 2022 World Cup 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.”
Morocco head into the contest full of confidence after reaching the quarter-finals with a victory over Canada and are expected to provide a stern test under coach, Mohamed Ouahbi.
Deschamps praised the Atlas Lions, describing them as a technically gifted and well-organised side.
“We faced them four years ago in the semi-finals, and they’ve played in an Africa Cup of Nations final.
“They are a very, very good team with excellent players — they aren’t here by accident. It’s going to be a clash between two teams that like to have possession, attack, and score goals.”
The winners of Thursday’s showdown will advance to the semi-finals, where they will face either European champions Spain or Belgium, who meet in Los Angeles on Friday.
Spain have yet to concede a goal in the tournament and booked their place in the last eight after eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, while Belgium cruised past the United States with a commanding 4-1 victory.
On the other side of the draw, defending champions, Argentina will take on Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday.
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt after the holders had survived a major scare against Cape Verde in the previous round.
“We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home,” Messi said after the victory.
The winner of the Argentina-Switzerland clash will meet either Norway or England in the semi-finals.
England secured a thrilling 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico in the round of 16 to keep alive their hopes of winning a first major international trophy since 1966.
Standing in their way is a dangerous Norway side led by prolific striker, Erling Haaland, who scored both goals in his country’s last-16 victory over Brazil.
