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Morocco will look to settle old scores when they face France in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup quarter-final early Friday (Bangladesh time), four years after Les Bleus ended the Atlas Lions’ historic run in Qatar.
The meeting at Gillette Stadium is far more than another knockout tie for Morocco. It is a chance to avenge their 2-0 semi-final defeat to France at the 2022 World Cup, where they became the first African and Arab nation to reach the last four.
“This is a revenge match for the Moroccan national team,” Moroccan sports journalist Hamza Shteiwy told the media. “The players who were part of that 2022 squad felt that loss deeply, and now they’re looking to settle the score.”
Unlike in Qatar, where Morocco arrived as surprise contenders, expectations are much higher this time. The Atlas Lions are now regarded as genuine title challengers after years of investment in youth development and football infrastructure. “In 2022 we were the dreamers,” Shteiwy said. “Now anything less than the semi-finals wouldn’t be considered an achievement.”
Veteran Moroccan journalist Hameed Bel Hassan said the team’s continued success is the result of long-term planning rather than a one-off achievement.
“What happened in Qatar wasn’t a fluke,” he said. “It was the result of years of strategic planning and programmes put in place by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.”
Morocco have underlined that progress with another impressive World Cup campaign, overcoming Brazil, Scotland, the Netherlands and Canada to book a second consecutive quarter-final appearance.
France, however, remain one of the tournament favourites. Led by Kylian Mbappe, Didier Deschamps’ side has reached the last eight playing some of the most convincing football of the competition.
While acknowledging France’s individual quality, Shteiwy believes Morocco can compete if they execute their game plan.
“Individually they’re stronger,” he said. “But Morocco’s midfield is about equal. If they can press France early, like they did against Brazil, they can create problems.”
Beyond tactics, Morocco’s remarkable rise has been built on a strong sense of unity and family. Images of players celebrating with their mothers became one of the defining features of their memorable run in Qatar and have continued during this tournament.
Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa has described the presence of players’ mothers at major tournaments as one of the federation’s most effective forms of psychological support, saying it gives the players extra motivation.
The quarter-final also carries historical and emotional significance. France and Morocco share deep political, cultural and migration ties, while several Moroccan internationals were eligible to represent France before choosing the country of their family heritage.
Paris Saint-Germain teammates Achraf Hakimi and Kylian Mbappe will line up on opposite sides, adding another intriguing subplot to a contest loaded with sporting and emotional significance.
For Morocco, victory would not only erase the disappointment of 2022 but also reinforce the belief that their breakthrough in Qatar marked the beginning of a new era rather than a one-off fairytale. The winners will advance to the World Cup semi-finals. Sourxe: BBC News
