World Cup: Africa's last hope as Morocco face France in quarters

Africa will be watching with bated breath on Thursday night as Morocco take on France in a FIFA World Cup quarter-final, with the Atlas Lions carrying the hopes of a continent after nine other African representatives bowed out despite spirited displays against more fancied opponents.

The match rekindles memories of the sides' last World Cup meeting in 2022, when France ended Morocco's historic run with a semi-final victory that denied Africa its first appearance in a World Cup final.

Tonight, millions of Africans will be hoping the North Africans can recreate the magic of Qatar, where they became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals after eliminating European heavyweights Spain and Portugal before eventually falling to France.

Since making their World Cup debut in 1970, Morocco have consistently shown they belong on football's biggest stage, producing memorable performances against some of the game's traditional powerhouses long before their breakthrough in Qatar.

At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Morocco topped a group featuring England, Poland and Portugal to become the first African nation to reach the knockout stage.

The Atlas Lions then qualified for consecutive World Cups in 1994 and 1998, with the latter campaign highlighted by a memorable 3-0 victory over Scotland.

Before their exploits in Qatar, Morocco exited the 2018 World Cup in Russia at the group stage, finishing bottom of Group B with one point.

Even then, they earned widespread praise for their adventurous, attacking football against strong European opposition.

Morocco began their 2026 campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw against five-time champions Brazil before finishing second in Group C with seven points after victories over Scotland and Haiti and a draw against the South Americans.

They then held the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw after extra time in the Round of 32 before prevailing 3-2 in a gripping penalty shootout.

In the Round of 16, Morocco weathered sustained first-half pressure from co-hosts Canada before taking control after the break.

Goals from Azzedine Ounahi and a brace by substitute Soufiane Rahimi sealed an emphatic 3-0 victory and sent the Canadians packing.

Standing between Morocco and another piece of history, however, is a French side that has looked every bit the tournament favourite.

If Morocco's run has been built on resilience, France's has been driven by ruthless efficiency.

While Morocco have won three matches on their way to the quarter-finals, France have reached the last eight with a perfect record, winning all five of their matches.

Les Bleus topped Group I with a maximum nine points after defeating Norway, Senegal and Iraq before brushing aside Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32 and edging Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16.

Talisman Kylian Mbappe led the charge with seven goals, and he remains in contention for the Golden Boot alongside Argentina's Lionel Messi, who leads with eight goals.

The two-time world champions and 2022 runners-up have reinforced their status as title favourites, scoring 14 goals while conceding only two.

Boasting an attacking quartet of Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola, France arguably possesses the most potent attacking force left in the competition.

Morocco's attacking duo of Ismael Saibari and Brahim Diaz will have to unlock France's resolute defence while matching the firepower of their star-studded opponents if the Atlas Lions are to eliminate yet another European giant and reach back-to-back World Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Diaz has been one of Morocco's standout performers, providing four assists, while Saibari leads the team's scoring charts with three goals.

Rahimi and Ounahi have each added two.

Ranked sixth in the FIFA rankings, the Atlas Lions head into Thursday's showdown not merely as challengers but as genuine contenders, buoyed by a remarkable 34-match unbeaten run that they hope will carry them one step closer to Africa's first World Cup title.

Amid persistent claims of inconsistent officiating and favouritism at this year's tournament, both Morocco and France have reached the last eight with little assistance from match officials, underlining the resilience and quality of Mohamed Ouahbi's and Didier Deschamps' sides.

For Africa, however, the greater concern is whether the dreaded "80th-minute curse" will once again haunt the continent's only remaining representative.

Although Africa celebrated a historic achievement by having nine of its 10 representatives advance from the group stage, six teams were later eliminated after conceding decisive late goals or surrendering commanding positions in matches they had largely controlled.

Senegal suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 Round of 16 defeat to Belgium after throwing away a 2-0 lead, conceding in the 86th and 89th minutes before eventually losing to a 125th-minute penalty.

Egypt also exited in the Round of 16 after squandering a 2-0 advantage against defending champions Argentina, who fought back to win 3-2 with a decisive goal in the 92nd minute.

DR Congo pushed England all the way in the Round of 16 but were knocked out after conceding an 86th-minute winner in a 2-1 defeat.

South Africa bowed out in the Round of 32 despite dominating much of their match against Canada, only to concede a stoppage-time winner in the 92nd minute.

Ivory Coast also impressed before Norway ended their campaign with an 86th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory.

Cape Verde's fairytale run also ended in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Argentina in the Round of 32.

Despite enjoying 64 per cent possession and creating numerous chances, the island nation, who were making their debut appearance, saw their hopes dashed by a cruel 111th-minute own goal from a corner as Argentina escaped a major upset.

Should Morocco overcome France, they would not only avenge their 2022 heartbreak but also move within touching distance of delivering the World Cup breakthrough Africa has chased for generations.