France vs Morocco head to head on December 14 at Al Bayt Stadium. France will face Morocco in the World Cup semi-finals after the 2018 champions defeated England 2-1 and the Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach this level after defeating Portugal 1-0.
France is the heavy favourite going into the match, but Morocco will be aiming for another massive annihilation after topping their group and then annihilating early contenders Spain in the Round of 16.
Defending champions face an underdog challenger in a genuine David vs. Goliath matchup as France, the 2018 World Cup champions, face Morocco, the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals.
Les Bleus escaped a tight challenge from England thanks to Harry Kane’s late missed penalty, but they’ll face a totally different challenge next.
Morocco has a patchwork roster that is plagued by injuries, but the Atlas Lions have joined together to provide outstanding and surprising depth. They enjoy a virtual home-field advantage, as their fans have travelled to Qatar in droves to create a spectacular atmosphere.
When is France vs Morocco:
Theirs is the second semi-final France vs Morocco, which will take place on Wednesday, December 14, at Al Bayt Stadium. Argentina and Croatia met in the first semi-final on December 13 at the Lusail Stadium.
France vs Morocco Start Time:
- Date: Wednesday, December 14
- Game: France vs Morocco
- Kickoff Time: 2:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm GMT / 6:00 am AEDT (Thu, Dec. 15)
- Location: Al Bayt Stadium
Viewers around the world can watch the action live on the following channels and here for free:
France enters the final four with further questions over Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot, both of whom have shown cold-like symptoms and missed training on Tuesday, making the duo doubts for the match. If necessary, Ibrahima Konate and Youssouf Fofana will step in.
If Deschamps has everyone available, the Bleus XI picks itself, with Jules Kounde decisively removing Benjamin Pavard in the right-back position and Theo Hernandez doing admirably in the absence of his ailing brother Lucas Hernandez, who suffered a ruptured ACL in their opening encounter against Australia.
France’s all-time leading male goalscorer, Olivier Giroud, may become the oldest player in history to score five goals in a single World Cup if he scores tonight, and while England kept Kylian Mbappe quiet, Les Bleus have already won all ten World Cup games in which the 23-year-old has started.
Read More: Argentina vs Croatia How to Watch Free, Live Stream, FIFA World Cup 2022 Semifinal, Preview, Team news and more
Meanwhile, Morocco forward Walid Cheddira was sent off twice in a row against Portugal and will be sidelined for the semi-final, although the 24-year-old was never expected to compete for a starting spot.
Aguerd, of West Ham United, missed the quarter-final triumph over Portugal owing to an adductor injury sustained against France in the last 16, but Regragui will go to great lengths to have him available after Romain Saiss had to be stretchered out on Saturday due to an ongoing hamstring issue.
Saiss has stated that he will do everything in his power to be fit for the semi-final, where Mazraoui may also force his way back into the ring due to a hip flexor issue, while Hakim Ziyech will anticipate being fine after being forced out over the weekend.
Regragui, on the other hand, may relax after seeing the determined performances of Yahia Attiyat Allah and Jawad El Yamiq against Portugal, and at least one of the duo should be necessary in some capacity here.
France’s potential starting lineup:
Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud; Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez;
Morocco’s potential starting lineup:
Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui;
France vs Morocco prediction:
- Moneyline lean: France (-185)
- Against the spread lean: France -0.5 (-200)
- Score prediction: France 1-0 Morocco
It is obvious that France will find it extremely tough to break down Morocco.
Despite many of us doubting Morocco’s ability to keep Portugal off the scoreboard, the African nation blanked their European opponents across 90 minutes despite a slew of crucial player injuries. As a result, we no longer have reservations about this quasi-home team’s capacity to execute.
It will take a Herculean effort to go past Morocco’s organization and structure, but France does not have a green squad. While Portugal and Spain had inexperienced teams against Morocco that struggled to adjust under pressure, France will know exactly how to target their opponents.
At the risk of casting another doubt on Morocco, it’s difficult to see the Atlas Lions reaching the World Cup final. An early goal will be critical for France today, as the longer, they go without scoring, the more fear will set in and Morocco’s belief will increase.
