When we think of the regulars that make it to this point, the “Elite Eight,” the teams that survived the Round of 16 to reach the quarterfinals of World Cup competition, France, Spain, Argentina, and England usually come to mind. Now, it is fair to add Morocco to that elite group.
To round out the rest of the quarterfinalists, there is Norway, Belgium, and Switzerland.
France has won the Cup in 1998 and 2018, with a loss in the 2022 World Cup Final to Argentina in a penalty shootout. Morocco reached the semifinals in 2022 and the quarterfinals in 2018. This is a killer matchup between two nations that have played top-level soccer over the past eight years.
France is the only team in the tournament to win all five of its matches without needing extra time, and Kylian Mbappé has been on fire the entire time. He is only one goal shy of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race heading into the game against Morocco.
Les Bleus will be looking to reach their third straight semifinal and become only the third team to advance to the final four in three consecutive World Cups.
In order to break down France, the Atlas Lions of Morocco will need their stars to be at their best. Morocco is the first African nation to advance to the final eight in back-to-back World Cups and certainly is not expecting to be sent home at this stage before beginning preparations as one of the co-hosts for the 2030 World Cup.
Of note, the 2030 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by six nations across three continents to celebrate the tournament’s 100-year anniversary. The primary hosts are Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, while the opening three centenary celebration matches will be held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
The highly anticipated World Cup rematch against France pits best friends and teammates Mbappé and Hakimi against one another. This, of course, will happen under close watch from the controversial five Argentine referees who were surprisingly assigned to this all-important matchup. I guess there is nothing to see here?
The winner will take on the winner of Belgium vs. Spain on Saturday in Los Angeles, with a potential path to face Messi and Argentina in the Final. Remember, this could be the third consecutive World Cup where both Mbappé and Messi are chasing claim to fame, the Golden Boot, MVP, and most importantly, the Cup.
France also has Dembélé, Olise, and Barcola, who could each very easily steal the show and launch their own campaign as one of the best of the best.
Morocco suffered a setback with Ismael Saibari sidelined due to injury, but they still have team chemistry and confidence that stems back to many of them playing together since their under-17 and under-20 days. Saibari has been Morocco’s best goal scorer and is almost irreplaceable at this stage.
If Morocco can send the game into penalties, their chances increase, having a perfect record in past World Cup shootouts with successful campaigns against Spain in 2022 and the Netherlands in 2026.
There are very few, if any, weaknesses in the French lineup, and their bench is stacked with talent and stars. France knows and respects the quality of Morocco, but at the same time, France knows how to win and has been on a mission since the gut check in the 2022 Final against Argentina.
France is perhaps the only country that wants Argentina in the Final so it can have its day of redemption from 2022. Morocco, however, cannot afford any mistakes and has a bone to pick as well after being knocked out by France before.
Both countries are laser-focused and starving for this game, and we all know high-level tactics, ball possession, and creativity will be the main courses.
The stars must perform to advance. Now we will see how two friends and teammates lead their countries with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
Morocco’s Hakimi and France’s Mbappé may share deceptive smiles and perhaps bro hugs, but there is something much deeper brewing behind those emotions and looks. It is the passion of the beautiful game, the drive, and the quest to reign as the best in the world that will be unleashed on the pitch.
