Morocco Prepares for Quarter-Final Showdown Against France in FIFA World Cup 2026

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 heats up, Morocco's national football team is training in Boston for their quarter-final match against France. Following a historic victory over Canada, where they became the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals in two editions, the Atlas Lions are looking to continue their impressive run. With record-breaking performances from players like Azzedine Ounahi and Achraf Hakimi, Morocco aims to make history once again. Meanwhile, France, the 2018 champions, are also gearing up after a narrow win against Paraguay. This clash promises to be an exciting encounter for football fans worldwide.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 7, 2026, 12:44 IST

Morocco's Training in Boston

The Moroccan national football team has commenced their training in Boston as they gear up for a crucial quarter-final match against the formidable French team in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Their official social media account shared images from the training session, showcasing the team's readiness for this highly awaited knockout game.

"First training session in Boston ahead of the Quarter-finals," the Morocco National Football Team posted on social media, along with photos of the players in action.

أول حصة تدريبية في بوسطن استعدادًا لربع النهائي First training session in Boston ahead of the Quarter-finals #DimaMaghrib #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/9jxXfDdGWu — Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) July 7, 2026

Morocco's Historic Victory Against Canada

Morocco made history in the FIFA World Cup 2026 by becoming the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals in two separate tournaments, following a decisive 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada in the Round of 16.

This match was marked by significant disciplinary actions, with the referee issuing eight yellow cards and calling 38 fouls.

The Atlas Lions showcased a strong second-half performance after initially enduring pressure from Canada. Azzedine Ounahi scored two goals, marking the first time a Moroccan player has netted a brace in a World Cup match since 1998, while Soufiane Rahimi added a third goal to secure the win.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz also made their mark in the record books; Hakimi achieved his third World Cup assist among defenders since 1966, while Diaz became the African player with the highest number of World Cup assists, totaling four.

This victory has extended Morocco's unbeaten streak to 10 matches, reinforcing their strong knockout performance in major tournaments.

On the other hand, Canada's first-ever knockout stage appearance in the World Cup ended in disappointment, as they struggled after conceding the opening goal.

France's Path to the Quarter-Finals

The 2018 World Cup champions, France, secured their place in the quarter-finals by defeating Paraguay 1-0 in their Round of 16 match. French captain Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot in the second half.

Notably, the first half of this match saw no shots on target from either team, making it only the third knockout match in FIFA World Cup history since 1966 to reach halftime without a single shot on goal.