{"id":2036136,"date":"2026-07-09T07:48:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T04:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2036136"},"modified":"2026-07-09T07:48:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T04:48:28","slug":"more-than-just-a-world-cup-quarterfinal-france-and-morocco-gear-up-for-knockout-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2036136","title":{"rendered":"More than just a World Cup quarterfinal: France and Morocco gear up for knockout clash"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/10\/65\/1200x675_cmsv2_bbb23095-1755-5a83-a04f-8e30300b0c09-9831065.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2908503-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2908503\" data-cid=\"9831438\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2908503-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" 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class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU rushes to avoid disastrous revision of Russian oil price cap\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2908286-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2908286\" data-cid=\"9830199\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2908286-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/01\/99\/189x106_cmsv2_f24d332d-a7cc-56fc-8eb5-5e2cf37ae02f-9830199.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"New flight routes are on the horizon during the cooler months\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The new European flight routes launching this autumn and winter\n  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id=\"abe-2908635-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2908635\" data-cid=\"9832285\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2908635-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/22\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_197fe0a7-fd0a-5cf7-9648-fa1c081e5807-9832285.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Cancer cases to rise by two-thirds by 2050 globally.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cancer cases to rise by two-thirds by 2050 globally, WHO warns\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          Sport<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            More than just a World Cup quarterfinal: France and Morocco gear up for knockout clash<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/10\/65\/1536x864_cmsv2_bbb23095-1755-5a83-a04f-8e30300b0c09-9831065.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"France&apos;s Kylian Mbappe challenges for the ball with Morocco&apos;s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal between France and Morocco in Qatar, 14 Dec 2022.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              France&#8217;s Kylian Mbappe challenges for the ball with Morocco&#8217;s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal between France and Morocco in Qatar, 14 Dec 2022.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Francisco Seco<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Francisco Seco\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMalek Fouda\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1783583308\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-07-09 09:48:28 +02:00\">09\/07\/2026 &#8211; 9:48 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Les Bleus last faced the Atlas Lions in the 2022 World Cup semifinals, where France managed to edge Morocco, the tournament&#8217;s surprise package, in a 2-0 win.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>2018 World Cup champions and 2022 runners-up France are gearing up to take on Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup in Boston on Thursday, in what is slated to be the most intense and tightly contested knockout game of the tournament so far.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Les Bleus last faced the Atlas Lions in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in a semifinal fixture where they were able to come out ahead with a 2-0 win, ending an extraordinary World Cup run for Morocco which saw them eliminate Spain and Portugal.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from the purely sporting angle of Morocco seeking revenge for that defeat, the match also includes intrigue off the field.<\/p>\n<p>With Morocco being a former French colony and a large Moroccan diaspora population living in France, many in both countries will see tonight&#8217;s encounter as much more than just a football match.<\/p>\n<p>This time around, Morocco has consolidated what many believed was a rare performance, playing outstanding football throughout the group stages which saw them draw with Brazil and knockouts which sent a solid Dutch team packing.<\/p>\n<p>The Atlas Lions come into this clash boasting a more than impressive unbeaten run since their last defeat at the 2022 World Cup, rocking a streak of 34 games following their convincing 3-0 win over Canada in the last round.<\/p>\n<p>France has also been in top shape this tournament and are the favourites to take home the trophy, having won every single match thus far decisively, including against Norway and Sweden, with the exception being their round of 16 clash against Paraguay, which saw the former champions grind out a 1-0 win over their ultra-defensive South American opposition.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/10\/65\/808x456_cmsv2_a3634ff5-2e1c-59d7-9924-7c804d1b7294-9831065.jpg\" alt=\"France&apos;s Kylian Mbappe exercises with his team during a training session ahead of the World Cup quarterfinal match against Morocco near Boston, Wednesday, July 8, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">France&#8217;s Kylian Mbappe exercises with his team during a training session ahead of the World Cup quarterfinal match against Morocco near Boston, Wednesday, July 8, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Martin Meissner\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>French talisman Kylian Mbappe is on seven goals already \u2013 level with Norway and Manchester City\u2019s Erling Haaland \u2013 a stat the Real Madrid superstar is looking to extend, just one behind Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi, who scored his eighth in his match against Egypt just days ago to book his country\u2019s dramatic last minute comeback quarterfinal ticket.<\/p>\n<p>Analysts have repeatedly praised France\u2019s attacking options, which includes PSG star and reigning Ballon d\u2019Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, PSG forwards Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, who have all so far performed exceptionally and sit at the top of the leaderboards for goals and assists.<\/p>\n<p>Les Bleus have scored an impressive 14 goals so far this tournament over five games, a feat not matched by anyone in the competition, and their rigid defence has only seen them concede two goals, one against Sweden and another against Norway.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/10\/65\/808x456_cmsv2_4f34bb4c-f13e-527d-bd06-aff44eb637db-9831065.jpg\" alt=\"France head coach Didier Deschamps watches his players during a training session ahead of the World Cup quarterfinal match against Morocco near Boston, Wednesday, July 8, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">France head coach Didier Deschamps watches his players during a training session ahead of the World Cup quarterfinal match against Morocco near Boston, Wednesday, July 8, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Martin Meissner\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>France Head Coach Didier Deschamps does not brush off the opposition and says his side is expecting an extremely tight competition.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe met them four years ago in the semifinal. They also played in the African final. It is a really great, excellent team with top-notch individuals. They\u2019re not here to play. They\u2019re there to win,\u201d Deschamps said. \u201cThey like to attack to score goals. We have to be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Morocco have also enjoyed a successful tournament run ahead of this heavyweight clash, having drawn 1-1 with Brazil in a match they dominated statistically in the group stages, followed by expected wins over Scotland (1-0) and Haiti (4-2), and possess what many say is one of the most frightening attacking sides of the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>The Atlas Lions then knocked out the Netherlands on penalties in a standout round-of-32 tie (1-1, 3-2 on pens), before sweeping aside Canada, one of the host nations, 3-0 in the last 16.<\/p>\n<p>Members of the Moroccan team have expressed high expectations and a desire for revenge in their upcoming match, as they look to edge past the European powerhouse to advance to the semifinals for a second consecutive World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t like this feeling where we can say what we&#8217;ve done up until now is great and rest is bonus,\u201d said Head Coach Mohamed Ouahbi. \u201cNo, the only bonus is to win the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/10\/65\/808x456_cmsv2_c7de1207-d0ac-5146-9424-dbe01e66fa6c-9831065.jpg\" alt=\"Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi and forward Brahim Diaz (10) talk to the media ahead of the World Cup quarterfinal match against France near Boston, Wednesday, July 8, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi and forward Brahim Diaz (10) talk to the media ahead of the World Cup quarterfinal match against France near Boston, Wednesday, July 8, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Martin Meissner\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis is our mentality,\u201d said Real Madrid\u2019s star forward Brahim Diaz on the France matchup following his team\u2019s convincing win over Canada. \u201cWe want to keep going. Everybody wants to play in this type of game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While France remains the slight favourites in this clash, analysts believe it is set to be the tightest matchup in the quarterfinal stage and could go either way.<\/p>\n<h2>Authorities brace for violent clashes<\/h2>\n<p>The face-off is also not a mere football match, as France, which boasts a large Moroccan diaspora, could see intense divisions and fights depending on the result.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/10\/65\/808x456_cmsv2_86cb6f1c-2744-5c21-98bb-3fdcf36bf11e-9831065.jpg\" alt=\"Morocco&apos;s players celebrate with fans after their 3-0 win in the World Cup round of 16 match against Canada in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Morocco&#8217;s players celebrate with fans after their 3-0 win in the World Cup round of 16 match against Canada in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Ashley Landis\/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Authorities in Paris and other major cities are preparing for unrest, deploying several thousand police officers in preparation for intense clashes similar to those that erupted after the 2022 World Cup semifinal between the North African nation and its former colonial ruler.<\/p>\n<p>More than 250 people, many of them in the capital, were arrested for violent clashes with civilians and police officers after France\u2019s victory. Authorities have advised the public to exercise caution and football fans to remain peaceful and respectful of the law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 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&#8216;I&#8217;m not a candidate,&#8217; Lagarde says ahead of French election<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2908712-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2908712\" data-cid=\"9832751\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2908712-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/27\/51\/320x180_cmsv2_8ee9d72e-430e-5a7d-828a-219a6e37ef57-9832751.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Celebration after Ousmane Dembele scored France&apos;s second goal during the World Cup quarterfinal match against Morocco in Foxborough, Thursday, July 9, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France defeats Morocco 2-0 and 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data-key=\"articleBody\">2018 World Cup champions and 2022 runners-up France are gearing up to take on Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup in Boston on Thursday, in what is slated to be the most intense and tightly contested knockout game of the tournament so far.Les Bleus last faced the Atlas Lions in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in a semifinal fixture where they were able to come out ahead with a 2-0 win, ending an extraordinary World Cup run for Morocco which saw them eliminate Spain and Portugal.Aside from the purely sporting angle of Morocco seeking revenge for that defeat, the match also includes intrigue off the field.With Morocco being a former French colony and a large Moroccan diaspora population living in France, many in both countries will see tonight&#8217;s encounter as much more than just a football match.This time around, Morocco has consolidated what many believed was a rare performance, playing outstanding football throughout the group stages which saw them draw with Brazil and knockouts which sent a solid Dutch team packing.The Atlas Lions come into this clash boasting a more than impressive unbeaten run since their last defeat at the 2022 World Cup, rocking a streak of 34 games following their convincing 3-0 win over Canada in the last round.France has also been in top shape this tournament and are the favourites to take home the trophy, having won every single match thus far decisively, including against Norway and Sweden, with the exception being their round of 16 clash against Paraguay, which saw the former champions grind out a 1-0 win over their ultra-defensive South American opposition.French talisman Kylian Mbappe is on seven goals already \u2013 level with Norway and Manchester City\u2019s Erling Haaland \u2013 a stat the Real Madrid superstar is looking to extend, just one behind Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi, who scored his eighth in his match against Egypt just days ago to book his country\u2019s dramatic last minute comeback quarterfinal ticket.Analysts have repeatedly praised France\u2019s attacking options, which includes PSG star and reigning Ballon d\u2019Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, PSG forwards Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, who have all so far performed exceptionally and sit at the top of the leaderboards for goals and assists.Les Bleus have scored an impressive 14 goals so far this tournament over five games, a feat not matched by anyone in the competition, and their rigid defence has only seen them concede two goals, one against Sweden and another against Norway.France Head Coach Didier Deschamps does not brush off the opposition and says his side is expecting an extremely tight competition.\u201cWe met them four years ago in the semifinal. They also played in the African final. It is a really great, excellent team with top-notch individuals. They\u2019re not here to play. They\u2019re there to win,\u201d Deschamps said. \u201cThey like to attack to score goals. We have to be ready.\u201dMorocco have also enjoyed a successful tournament run ahead of this heavyweight clash, having drawn 1-1 with Brazil in a match they dominated statistically in the group stages, followed by expected wins over Scotland (1-0) and Haiti (4-2), and possess what many say is one of the most frightening attacking sides of the tournament.The Atlas Lions then knocked out the Netherlands on penalties in a standout round-of-32 tie (1-1, 3-2 on pens), before sweeping aside Canada, one of the host nations, 3-0 in the last 16.Members of the Moroccan team have expressed high expectations and a desire for revenge in their upcoming match, as they look to edge past the European powerhouse to advance to the semifinals for a second consecutive World Cup.\u201cI don&#8217;t like this feeling where we can say what we&#8217;ve done up until now is great and rest is bonus,\u201d said Head Coach Mohamed Ouahbi. \u201cNo, the only bonus is to win the World Cup.\u201d\u201cThis is our mentality,\u201d said Real Madrid\u2019s star forward Brahim Diaz on the France matchup following his team\u2019s convincing win over Canada. \u201cWe want to keep going. Everybody wants to play in this type of game.\u201dWhile France remains the slight favourites in this clash, analysts believe it is set to be the tightest matchup in the quarterfinal stage and could go either way.Authorities brace for violent clashesThe face-off is also not a mere football match, as France, which boasts a large Moroccan diaspora, could see intense divisions and fights depending on the result.Authorities in Paris and other major cities are preparing for unrest, deploying several thousand police officers in preparation for intense clashes similar to those that erupted after the 2022 World Cup semifinal between the North African nation and its former colonial ruler.More than 250 people, many of them in the capital, were arrested for violent clashes with civilians and police officers after France\u2019s victory. Authorities have advised the public to exercise caution and football fans to remain peaceful and respectful of the law.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/07\/09\/more-than-just-a-world-cup-quarterfinal-france-and-morocco-gear-up-for-knockout-clash&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/10\/65\/1200x675_cmsv2_bbb23095-1755-5a83-a04f-8e30300b0c09-9831065.jpg&#8221;] Europe News EU rushes to avoid disastrous revision of Russian oil price cap Travel News The new European flight routes launching this autumn and winter Climate Too much sun: Is Spain\u2019s solar boom really turning into a \u2018bust\u2019? 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