France vs Morocco

Morocco boss Walid Regragui reveals he has not come up with a specific plan to stop Kylian Mbappe.

"I don't know if it will be enough but we want Africa to be on top of the world. We are getting closer to our dreams and we will fight to get there. We are hungry. Before every match people thought we would get knocked out but we are still here. We want to go further. If we say the semi-final is enough, I don't agree.

France and Morocco meet in the second semifinal of the 2022 World Cup on Dec. 14. Here's what you need to know about the match.

Winning the 2018 World Cup made him the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager. He has taken Morocco further than anyone imagined at this World Cup and thinks the team can still give more. It has averaged 32% possession in its five World Cup matches, the second-lowest of any team. This strategy has worked due to its near-impenetrable defense and the ability to counter-attack at pace with the dribbling skills of wingers Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal. It was effective against England and a similar approach worked at the World Cup in Russia four years ago. It showed this against England, which had 58% possession and twice as many shots as the World Cup holder. Changing the players has not changed the script – Morocco’s defense is very hard to break. The defense has also had to adapt. For a confidence boost, Hakimi should look no further than Mbappé, who described the Moroccan as the “best RB (right-back) in the world” in a January [tweet](https://twitter.com/KMbappe/status/1486074687838949379). Reigning champion France is aiming to become the first country to win back-to-back men’s World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. It is the outsider for this match but remains unbeaten, having secured against-the-odds wins over Spain and Portugal in the knockout stage. [keeping Mbappé quiet in the quarterfinal](https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertkidd/2022/12/09/world-cup-2022-quarter-final-stop-kylian-mbapp-and-england-has-hope-against-france/), with France relying on goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Olivier Giroud for the 2-1 victory.

Morocco have become the first ever African nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final following their victory against Portugal. They come up against reigning ...

We lost a lot of players before the World Cup. Of course, there is another tie to be played in the semi-final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. You can play our Opta Challenge game for a chance to win $500. Morocco have become the first ever African nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final following their victory against Portugal. It’s not a surprise now because we’ve seen them put in a number of top performances. “We can be satisfied with what we’ve done so far, even though we want to go further. “It’s a historic achievement. “It’s fantastic what [coach Walid Regragui] has achieved,” he added. Once again, Morocco are unlikely to have most of the ball, so the combativeness of players like Azzedine Ounahi and Amrabat in midfield could be key, particularly with Griezmann so influential in his new midfield position. We lost Amine [Harit], [Imran] Louza, [Adam] Masina… “Morocco have played and beaten some of the best teams in the world, and that’s down to the players, the coach, the staff. “We’ve got to the semis, closer to the final, and this was an important achievement, so we can believe in ourselves, but we have a big game on Wednesday,” he said.

Preview followed by live coverage of Wednesday's Fifa World Cup semi-final between France and Morocco.

Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Randal Kolo Muani (France) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Attempt blocked. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. - Away3 - Shots - Possession - 5Koundé - 1Lloris Morocco also had a clear penalty appeal waved aside in the first half when goalscorer Hernandez flattened Sofiane Boufal in the area. [Messi and Mbappe? [France](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/france) were more clinical and substitute Randal Kolo Muani ensured they will defend their crown against Argentina and Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium on Sunday when he turned in Kylian Mbappe's deflected shot 11 minutes from time.

Everything you need to know ahead of the 2022 World Cup semi-final clash between France and Morocco.

[Kylian Mbappe](https://theathletic.com/football/player/kylian-mbappe-vqEQPtKAKLluodtc/) was in his coming-of-age performance against Argentina four years ago, a deeper dive into Africa’s most successful World Cup and Ziyech’s Morocco redemption are on the menu ahead of this one. [Hakim Ziyech](https://theathletic.com/football/player/hakim-ziyech-wnxSjcAC5t7f1pHr/) was withdrawn with an issue in the latter stages but he should be fine to start against France. Meanwhile, Morocco are chasing more history for the continent of Africa. They are the first African side in World Cup history to reach the last four. Since 1998, they have reached football’s showpiece event on three occasions and will be targeting a fourth on Wednesday. After stopping Luis Enrique’s side from scoring throughout 120 minutes, the north Africans won 3-0 on penalties. Then came their toughest test and a game that should’ve probably been a semi-final or even the final, against England. Two wins from their opening two games saw them reach the knockouts with a game to spare before Deschamps’ second-string team were beaten by However, Walid Regragui revealed that none of his players are definitely ruled out for the semi-final. There are no real notable decisions for him to make as each of his players have done the jobs asked of them so far. Coverage will be shown on the BBC. Cesar Ramos has been confirmed as the match referee.

SportsLine's soccer model simulated France vs. Morocco and locked in its 2022 FIFA World Cup picks and predictions for Wednesday's semifinal.

- France vs. France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup? And which side has all the value? Hakimi is the World Cup leader with 17 tackles, and Mazraoui is tied for fourth with 13. The 31-year-old has 29 clean sheets in 48 career starts for Morocco and has a 75.6 save percentage in six seasons in Spain's La Liga, the past four with Sevilla. Midfielder Antoine Griezmann also has been a critical piece as a box-to-box player, and he is third all-time in for France with 42 goals and has 26 assists. [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. France are the -185 favorites (risk $185 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in the latest France vs. Les Bleus eked out a 2-1 victory against France on Saturday to make the semifinal for the third time in their past six World Cup appearances. The model was accurate on 56% of all picks during the Champions League group stage and returned more than $1,000 to $100 bettors on its A+ picks. A draw is priced at +295 and the over/under for total goals is set at 2.5. France remain on track to defend their title, but upstart Morocco have other plans as the teams get set to meet in a 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

After the Quarter Finals, the list of Semifinalists is sealed. The 2nd Semi Final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is between France and Morocco.

His goal against England led them to the Semi-Finals of the World Cup. He not only showed a masterclass in defence but also contributed to the Moroccan attack by assisting the winning and only goal of the Quarter Finals match against Portugal. He was amazing in the clash against Portugal. Sofyan Amrabat is having the time of his life in this World Cup, and this has been the best performance of his career. His performance against Spain in the Round of 16 has impressed fans all around the world. They defeated Spain and Portugal in the Round of 16 and the Quarter Finals respectively. Morocco is the surprise entrant in the Semis of the World Cup. He has been phenomenal in the midfield, providing assists to his fellow teammates. Oliver Giroud has become the all-time top goal scorer for France during this World Cup. The Atlas Lions are the first African and Arab nations to have reached the Semi-Finals of the FIFA World Cup. The defending champion France is pitted against the ultimate underdog of this tournament, Morocco. The 2nd Semi Final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is between France and Morocco.

France is a betting favorite against Morocco on Wednesday in the 2022 World Cup, with a tie listed at +240. Sports betting sites also have props.

SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green locked in his 2022 World Cup picks and predictions for Morocco vs. France in Wednesday's semifinal match.

- France vs. Green has broken down this semifinal from every angle. Les Bleus have not kept a single clean sheet at the tournament, and the defense looked very shaky in the quarterfinal against England. They also have won more tackles (104 to 98) and interceptions (51 to 49) and have conceded fewer shots outside the box (16 to 20). Filling in for the injured N'Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, the 22-year-old Tchouameni has played a team-high 411 minutes and has completed a tournament-high 93.2% of his passes. Les Bleus have the offensive firepower to unlock the Moroccan defense. France are the -180 favorite (risk $180 to win $100) in the latest France vs. [You can head to SportsLine now to see Green's picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/2022-world-cup-france-vs-morocco-odds-picks-predictions-best-bets-for-wednesdays-semifinal-from-proven-soccer-expert/#ttag=12122022_agg_cbssports_picks_soccer_worldcup_martingreen_FranceMorocco). [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Reigning World Cup champion France can return to the World Cup final for the second straight tournament when Les Bleus square off against Morocco in a semifinal at the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday. Before you lock in your Morocco vs.

Morocco plays France in the semi-finals of the Fifa World Cup today. What you may not know is that the two countries share a complex relationship; ...

In this way, “brain drain” is arguably one of the most pernicious outcomes of colonialism and a foremost neocolonial process. In doing so, it has attained a symbolic victory over the neocolonial process of “brain drain”. Yet, behind the heartwarming story of Guinean Paul Pogba scoring for France in the World Cup final, or Malian N’golo Kante running the French midfield, hides the story of how African nations failed to gain from the talents of their most talented players. The fact that all these players are playing for Morocco, instead of the countries they/their parents migrated to, is in itself a victory. With French education also came ideas of liberty and equality, both of which were missing in the seemingly peaceful and picturesque French colony. Conditions created under colonial rule as well as the world capitalist economy that continues to divide the world into a Global North and South on erstwhile colonial lines, are what drive migration across many ex-colonies. However, the contours of Morocco’s relationship with France in many ways reproduces old colonial hierarchies. Today, an estimated five million Moroccans live abroad, with the majority of the diaspora being located in Europe, especially in France. However, France did not touch the old cities of Morocco which were spiritual and cultural nerve centres for the population. The Atlas mountains run through its length, giving the Moroccan football team its moniker of “Atlas Lions.” However, today, the West’s (and perhaps the rest of the world’s) imagination of Morocco is intimately tied to its romantic depiction in the ageless classic “Casablanca”, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Between 1912 and 1956, most of modern day Morocco was [a French colony](https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/france-vs-morocco-colonial-history-makes-it-more-than-a-football-match-8323124/).

France are favourites by a mile, but for Morocco, they're just another giant to slay.

Watched by quite possibly billions of people, the World Cup final will be held on Sunday, Qatar’s national day, at Lusail Stadium. The winners, however, go on to sport’s biggest event. When in possession, they’ll be hoping to put the ball at the feet of Achraf Hakimi, Mbappe’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, to see if the star pairing can make a little more magic for Morocco. [Giroud](/news/2022/12/4/olivier-giroud-scores-52nd-goal-to-break-henrys-france-record) brings the calm experience to the attacking line; a wise head that the veteran can still use to devastating effect. Head coach Didier Deschamps is one of only three men to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a manager. Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui on Tuesday made clear that his side were going to try their best to pull off [another “upset”](/news/2022/12/13/morocco-manager-confident-hopes-to-upset-france-in-semifinal) in their fairytale run.

We've picked out a tasty 11/8 France vs Morocco prediction ahead of Wednesday's second semi-final final in the Al Bayt Stadium.

Given the quality of their attacking options, back France to be leading at half time and full time, which is a tasty 11/8 with Betfred. Morocco are sweating on the fitness of key cenrte-back and captain Romain Saiss who was stretchered off after 57 minutes on Saturday. [Betfred](https://promotions.betfred.com/#/affiliates/sports/football/world-cup-2022/bet-10-get-60?&siteid=104967&referrer=&click=414889388) It really is going to take something special to break this Morrocan defence down but in Kylian Mbappe, they face the most special of attacking talents. [France/France (HT/FT) - 11/8](https://promotions.betfred.com/#/affiliates/sports/football/world-cup-2022/bet-10-get-60?&siteid=104967&referrer=&click=414889388) So, too, do the bookmakers who make Les Blues just 8/15 (with

Al Jazeera's AI robot Kashef has crunched the numbers and has some predictions for today's game.

Should manager Walid Regragui’s side do so, they have a 31 percent chance of lifting the trophy against Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 18. With 61 matches completed, Kashef has a 67 percent accuracy level. Prediction: Sizing up all the odds, Kashef has once again concluded that Morocco face an uphill battle.

France take on Morocco in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar. Here is what you need to know about the game.

[Brazil](https://cms.sportsjoe.ie/football/neymar-publishes-private-chats-brazil-teammates-world-cup-exit-278458) in 1962 to retain the World Cup. [Morocco](https://cms.sportsjoe.ie/football/ronaldo-heads-straight-tunnel-tears-morocco-knock-portugal-278340), meanwhile, are the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Morocco advanced past Spain on penalties in the last 16. In Ireland, you can watch the match on RTÉ 2, coverage begins at 6 pm. Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann have been the team's key players on their run to the semi-finals. You can also follow the match live in our hub below.

TIME reports from Paris as questions over identity, race, and colonialism loom over Wednesday's historic semi-final.

“I think it’s a political mistake,” Benjamin Lucas, a Greens member of the French parliament, [told a radio show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nema6Z0gM5w) on Monday, in reference to Macron’s decision to go cheer on the French team in Qatar. [deaths of construction workers](https://time.com/6237677/qatar-migrant-deaths-world-cup/) who built the World Cup’s infrastructure. “This is a pivotal moment for the Arab world, and much of the African continent too,” says Monica Marks, a scholar on North African politics at New York University Abu Dhabi, who watched Saturday’s Morocco-Portugal game in Barbès. “The expectations are huge.” In 2018, Macron was in Moscow to see France play the World Cup final and, after their win, enveloped Mbappé in a bear hug, choking back tears. “There are a lot of tensions about cultural identity,” she says. “Morocco is the best, and they are going to win,” he says, asking to be quoted as Mohamed Sisi, a name he confesses is not his. For the millions of North Africans in France, and Paris in particular, the contest between the two countries is deeply personal—and even political. “This is not just football,” says Emmanuel Rivière, head of international polling at Kantar Public, a polling agency in Paris. Dermanin also said that more personnel could be added if France triumphs—with the possibility of huge crowds turning out to celebrate. When I’m in Morocco, I’m 100% Moroccan,” says Benjamin El Jaziri, 69, owner of L’Atlas, a Moroccan restaurant on Paris’s Left Bank, which has served traditional couscous and tajine dishes since El Jaziri bought the large space in 1991. The heavily Muslim suburbs around Paris and other cities, or banlieues as they are known, have spawned a remarkable number of soccer stars.

World Cup news: football.london brings you all the information you need to know as reigning champions France take on Morocco for a place in Sunday's final ...

"But I will try my best to be on the pitch. The African nation are currently the rank outsiders to claim glory in Qatar. I hope it will be OK." Harry Kane missed a late penalty to level the tie, as the Three Lions crashed out on Saturday. ''We will see tomorrow, we will do some exams to see what kind of injury I have," he added. [thanks to a 2-1 victory over England,](https://www.football.london/international-football/england-france-referee-world-cup-25738112) with Aurelien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud both finding the net in the victory.

Morocco go take on di reigning champions, France for di Al Bayt Stadium for dia semi-final match.

Di last team to make their debut for dis stage na Spain for 2010, wey beat Germany 1-0 to reach the final. Dem dey do short short passes wey make am hard for dia opponent to collect di ball. But Hugo Lloris save am for di last second. Di ball don comot from pitch and na goal kick for France. France 1-0 Morocco France vs Morocco Line-up 15' Hakim Ziyech (Morocco) cross di ball into di box from di free kick but dem clear am. 45+1 Hakim Ziyech of Morocco launch beta cross from corner but France clear di ball witout any wahala. France 2-0 Morocco 90+4 Sofiane Amrabat of Morocco cross di ball into di box but France defender clear di threat. 46' Substitution for Morocco 54' Yahya Attiat-Allah of Morocco pass di ball into di box but dem clear am.

As Morocco faces France in the World Cup semifinal, many players and fans of both diverse teams grapple with family tales of colonial history, challenges of ...

“And it’s an honor and a pleasure to face France. “I’m a dual national, and that’s an honor and a pleasure,” the Moroccan coach said. “Most of the Moroccan players who were born abroad chose Morocco as their national team because they feel they play for more than just to win a football match,” said Maher Mezahi, a Marseille-based Algerian journalist covering African football. Like Morocco’s supporters at home and an estimated 5 million scattered around Europe and beyond, many players grapple with family tales of colonial history, the challenges of immigration and questions of national loyalty. In Morocco, people have embraced the team's foreign-born players as their native sons. Young Moroccans, she said, “speak English instead of French, they buy more American products than French ones and even those who want to seek a better life abroad try to avoid France.”

SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green locked in his 2022 World Cup picks and predictions for Morocco vs. France in Wednesday's semifinal match.

- France vs. Green has broken down this semifinal from every angle. Les Bleus have not kept a single clean sheet at the tournament, and the defense looked very shaky in the quarterfinal against England. They also have won more tackles (104 to 98) and interceptions (51 to 49) and have conceded fewer shots outside the box (16 to 20). Filling in for the injured N'Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, the 22-year-old Tchouameni has played a team-high 411 minutes and has completed a tournament-high 93.2% of his passes. Les Bleus have the offensive firepower to unlock the Moroccan defense. France are the -180 favorite (risk $180 to win $100) in the latest France vs. [You can head to SportsLine now to see Green's picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/2022-world-cup-france-vs-morocco-odds-picks-predictions-best-bets-for-wednesdays-semifinal-from-proven-soccer-expert/#ttag=12122022_agg_cbssports_picks_soccer_worldcup_martingreen_FranceMorocco). [2022 World Cup picks](https://www.sportsline.com/fifa-wc/picks/) and predictions. After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Reigning World Cup champion France can return to the World Cup final for the second straight tournament when Les Bleus square off against Morocco in a semifinal at the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday. Before you lock in your Morocco vs.

When Morocco face France in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, it won't just be fans in Qatar and at home cheering them on - the team are gathering support around the globe ahead of the match. "It's our first time to reach this stage of the ...

"This is the first time in my life I've watched a match - but Morocco deserve to win." The Palestinian flag has also been a feature of team and supporter celebrations. Sports commentators in South Africa know "they will need every bit" of that support to beat defending champions France and continue "their fairy-tale run". "When an Arab team plays, Arab fans, regardless of their state nationalism, gear up to rally behind that team," it said. And this mix of identities has helped the Atlas Lions gain support from so many places. For the first time in the World Cup history, all the African teams who qualified had African coaches.

Morocco have drawn football fans' support around the globe ahead of their game against France.

"This is the first time in my life I've watched a match - but Morocco deserve to win." The Palestinian flag has also been a feature of team and supporter celebrations. Sports commentators in South Africa know "they will need every bit" of that support to beat defending champions France and continue "their fairy-tale run". "When an Arab team plays, Arab fans, regardless of their state nationalism, gear up to rally behind that team," it said. And this mix of identities has helped the Atlas Lions gain support from so many places. For the first time in the World Cup history, all the African teams who qualified had African coaches.

Morocco's remarkable run through global soccer's biggest and best teams reaches a new level. Follow live.

By now, who even remembers all the players — from Paul Pogba to N’Golo Kanté, Christopher Nkunku to Karim Benzema — unavailable for France? Qatar requires fans coming from outside the Gulf region to obtain a Hayya card, a fan ID, before entering the country. With flair and elegance, France has rampaged through the tournament, losing only to Tunisia in a group-stage match in which Les Bleus started a group of tourists from Montignac-Lascaux. The last was Brazil, which actually made three straight, from 1994-2002. He’s also in need of a shoelace; the one he has is ripped, which may be evidence he is not fabricating his grievances. At the final whistle, Regragui’s players collapsed on to their backs, all of the air drawn from them. Even Kolo Muani’s goal, tapped home from close range with his first touch of the ball, did not draw the sting. Morocco did not stutter when a single misjudgment, a little excessive zeal from the central defender Jawad El Yamiq, allowed France to prize an opening goal — finished off by Théo Hernandez — after only five minutes. It was in Qatar that Morocco, according to its coach, Walid Regragui, redefined the limits of “what was possible.” It was here that Morocco became the first team from the Arab world to make a World Cup quarterfinal. From this point on, a whole slew of achievements will all be the first since Morocco. AL KHOR, Qatar — The drums kept on beating.

Whoever wins will face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Final on Sunday in Qatar. La albiceleste booked their place in the decider with a 3-0 victory over ...