World Cup 2022 France v Morocco preview

France v Morocco preview

France v Morocco World Cup guide – the fixtures, results, team news and odds

France reached their seventh World Cup semi-final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over England on Saturday. Aurelien Tchouameni put France into the lead before Harry Kane levelled from the spot.

Olivier Giroud sealed the deal for ‘Les Bleus’ 12 minutes from time, but there was still drama. A Theo Hernandez challenge on Mason Mount led to a VAR review and a second England spot kick, but this time, Kane blazed it over the bar.

Morocco have made history at this tournament by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, but they won’t want their journey to end here.

‘The Atlas Lions’ quarter-final with Portugal was close fought, but Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half header was enough to book their spot in the last four. They did have Walid Cheddira sent-off in stoppage time but held on to record a famous success.

When is France v Morocco at the 2022 World Cup?

World champions France face Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Wednesday, 14th December. Kick-off is at 19:00 GMT.

France haven’t lost to Morocco in eight previous matches (W6 D2), from friendlies to Hassan II Tournaments.

The sides last faced each other in a friendly in 2007 that saw the game end in a 2-2 draw. The meeting prior to that was a 5-1 win for France in 2000 when Didier Deschamps came on as a substitute.

Check out our in-depth look at the France national team

What are the odds on France v Morocco at the 2022 World Cup?

France are the odds-on favourites to reach consecutive World Cup finals, while Morocco are 13/2 to cause an upset. The match to be level after 90 minutes is 14/5.

‘The Atlas Lions’ are unbeaten in their last six World Cup matches (W3 D3) and have kept four clean sheets at this tournament. Under 1.5 goals in normal time is 7/4, while it’s 15/4 they manage to shut out the world champions.

Kylian Mbappe was kept quiet in the quarter-final with England, but he still leads the race for the Golden Boot. We’ve got Enhanced Odds on Mbappe to score first at 4/1 (was 3/1).

Morocco’s quarter-final hero Youssef En-Nesyri also features in our Enhanced Odds, where you can get 6/1 (was 9/2) on the Sevilla forward to score at any time in 90 minutes. No player has scored more World Cup goals for Morocco than En-Nesyri (3).

Another player who has starred for France is Antoine Griezmann. He recorded both assists in their 2-1 win over England, taking him to eight goal involvements in as many World Cup appearances (3 goals, 5 assists). The Atletico Madrid forward is 15/8 to set-up a team-mate.

Latest odds for France v Morocco

What is the latest France v Morocco team news and injury news?

Didier Deschamps and France have no new injury concerns or suspensions to contend with ahead of this semi-final clash. Theo Hernandez looks set to continue at left-back in the absence of his brother Lucas, with Jules Kounde likely to get the nod at right-back once more.

Things aren’t going to be as easy for Walid Regragui, who has several selection headaches to deal with. West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd missed their quarter-final victory and is in a race to overcome an adductor injury.

Fellow centre back Romain Saiss was stretchered off against Portugal with an ongoing hamstring injury, leaving Morocco potentially short in that position. Meanwhile, forward Walid Cheddira is suspended.

Who are France and Morocco’s key players?

Kylian Mbappe has been the star for France during the World Cup so far. His five goals see him leading the race for the Golden Boot, which he’s odds-on to win. Plus, he’s EVS to win the Golden Ball accolade.

Olivier Giroud leads the line well and overtook Thierry Henry as France’s leading goalscorer earlier in the tournament, while Antoine Griezmann is given the licence to roam, pulling the strings from deeper positions.

Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat has earned plenty of plaudits for his combative performances. The tough-tackling midfielder protects his back four, part of the reason an opposition player is yet to score at this World Cup.

In goal, Yassine Bounou has kept four clean sheets, making 14 saves. His penalty heroics helped them see off Spain in the last-16. Amrabat and Bounou are both in the running for the Golden Ball.

What are the odds on France or Morocco to win the 2022 World Cup?

France are 11/10 favourites to win the World Cup and defend the trophy they won in Russia four years ago. ‘Les Bleus’ have won each of their last three World Cup semi-finals (1998, 2006 & 2018).

Morocco could make even more history if they beat France and reach the final. It’s 8/1 that Walid Regragui’s side go all the way and lift the trophy in Lusail on Sunday.

Who are the managers of France and Morocco?

Didier Deschamps had an illustrious career as a player and was capped 103 times for France. The success has followed him into management, since he took over as the national team’s head coach in 2012.

The progress under Deschamps is clear to see. A quarter-final at the 2014 World Cup was followed by the Euro 2016 final. Then, they went all the way to win the 2018 World Cup in Russia. More glory has followed with France lifting the 2020-21 Nations League, beating Spain 2-1 in the final. Now, he leads his nation into another World Cup semi-final.

Walid Regragui has only been in charge of Morocco for three months, taking over from Vahid Halilhodzic at the end of August. And what an incredible run they’ve been on!

They came into the World Cup with just three friendlies under Regragui (W2 D1) and have beaten giants to reach the last four. In eight games with the former right-back at the helm, they’ve yet to concede a goal from an opposition player, keeping seven clean sheets. He’s continued to keep them solid at the back, yet he’s been able to unlock some flair with Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal.