THE FIFA World Cup enters the quarter-final stage on Thursday with France facing Morocco in a highly anticipated showdown as the remaining eight teams begin their quest for football's biggest prize.
After a month of high-quality football that has eclipsed early concerns over expensive ticket prices and geopolitical tensions, the tournament has reached its final phase, with all remaining matches set to be played in the United States.
France have emerged as one of the competition's standout performers, producing a series of dominant attacking displays that have yielded 14 goals in five matches.
Captain Kylian Mbappe has led the charge with seven goals, placing him firmly in contention for the Golden Boot alongside Argentina's Lionel Messi, who tops the scoring charts with eight goals, Norway's Erling Haaland on seven, and England captain Harry Kane with six.
France's meeting with Morocco is a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final, where Les Bleus prevailed before eventually losing the final to Argentina in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
Morocco arrived in the last eight in impressive form after progressing comfortably through the group stage before defeating the Netherlands in the round of 32 and eliminating co-hosts Canada.
The Atlas Lions have combined technical quality, tactical discipline and physical strength under head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who guided Morocco to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup title last year.
France manager Didier Deschamps praised his opponents ahead of the encounter, describing them as one of the tournament's elite teams.
"We faced them four years ago in the semi-finals, and they've played in an Africa Cup of Nations final," AFP quoted him saying.
"They are a very, very good team with excellent players – they aren't here by accident. It's going to be a clash between two teams that like to have possession, attack, and score goals."
Deschamps, who will step down after 14 years in charge once the tournament concludes, also dismissed concerns over the appointment of Argentine match officials despite the possibility of another World Cup final meeting with Argentina.
The winners of the France-Morocco tie will advance to the semi-finals to face either European champions Spain or Belgium, who meet in Los Angeles on Friday.
Spain have yet to concede a goal in the tournament and advanced by eliminating Portugal in the last 16, while Belgium booked their place after a commanding 4-1 victory over co-hosts the United States.
On the opposite side of the draw, defending champions Argentina continue their title defence against Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday.
Argentina narrowly avoided elimination in the previous round after surviving a major scare against Cape Verde before producing a remarkable comeback to defeat Egypt 3-2, overturning a two-goal deficit late in the match.
Messi, who missed a first-half penalty before inspiring the turnaround, underlined Argentina's determination to remain in the competition.
"We didn't want today to be the end, we didn't want to go home."
The winners will face either Norway or England, who meet in Miami on Saturday.
England reached the quarter-finals after edging co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in an entertaining encounter at the Estadio Azteca, strengthening belief that the Three Lions can end their long wait for a first major international trophy since 1966.
Standing in England's way is a dangerous Norway side led by prolific striker Erling Haaland, who scored both goals in his country's last-16 victory over Brazil.
Away from the pitch, the Egyptian Football Association lodged an official complaint with FIFA, requesting the removal of the refereeing team responsible for Egypt's defeat to Argentina.
The federation alleged "serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards, which caused the Egypt team to lose the match."
Meanwhile, Croatia will begin searching for a new head coach after Zlatko Dalic announced he would step down following nine years in charge, a tenure highlighted by guiding the nation to the 2018 World Cup final. - July 9, 2026
