The final semi-final match will see Morocco battle France for a spot in the final against Argentina.
Both Morrocco and France are looking to make history – Morocco could go on to be the first African team to win the World Cup, whilst France are looking to win back-to-back World Cups.
The Wednesday night semi-final will take place at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Qatar World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco prediction, team news, XI
Morocco stunned Portugal 1-0 to reach the final four, whilst France sent England home with a 2-1 win to keep their hopes of a back-to-back title win alive.
France was “lucky” according to boss Didier Deschamps as England missed a penalty. England were the better team for most of the match but together the two teams put on an incredible show.
The France quarter-final game was overshadowed by the referee Wilton Sampaio who found himself at the centre of controversy.
France have won their last three World Cup semi-finals – 1998, 2006 and 2018 and it has been 84 years since a European nation managed to reach the World Cup finals as beginning champions.
France are still unable to claim a clean sheet in the 2022 World Cup. Morocco know a thing or two about keeping opposing players at bay, even with defensive alternations being forced upon them.
Morocco have already cemented their place in history as the first-ever African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
They had managed to beat Portugal without Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazroui – no easy task considering Portugal hit six goals pass Switzerland. But Walid Regragiu’s stand-ins performed really well and will be looking to go one step further.
Morocco would be worthy finalists, having beat star teams such as Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The Atlas Lions enter the semi-finals having prevented any opposing players from scoring the entire tournament so far.
An own goal against Canada is the only time Yassine Bounou has been beaten in Qatar. Morocco otherwise have four clean sheets to their name. Another interesting fact about Morocco is that only nine of the 45 shots they have faced at the World Cup have been on target. But facing France – who have never lost to Morocco – in five matches will not be an easy win. One thing is sure, this match will be exciting.
France team news
France have concerns over Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot, both have cold-like symptoms and missed training on Tuesday. It’s not clear if the duo will make the starting XI. Ibrahima Konate and Youssouf Fofana will deputise if needed.
The starting XI will likely include Benjamin Pavard in the right-back position and Theo Hernandez stepping in to replace his stricken brother Lucas Hernande, who suffered a torn ACL.
France’s Giroud could become the oldest player to score five goals in a single World Cup should he score during the game. France’s Kylian Mbappe was kept quiet by England, but the Les Blues have now won all 10 World Cup games in which he has started.
Morocco team news
Striker Walid Cheddira received two yellow cards against Portugal and will be suspended for the semi-final, but he wasn’t expected to make the starting XI.
Aguerd missed the quarter-final match after sustaining an adductor injury against Spain in the last 16, but Regragui will pull out all the stops to have him available after Romain Saiss had to be stretchered off on Saturday due to an ongoing hamstring issue.
Saiss had said he’d do anything in his power to be fit for the semis, where Mazraoubi could also force his way back into the fray from a hip problem, and Hakim Ziyech is expected to be fine despite being forced off the pitch over the weekend.
But Morocco’s boss can rest easy after the fabulous performance from Yahia Attiyat Allah and Jawad El Yamiq – and at least one of them should be required in some capacity in the semi-final game.
Morocco vs France – How to watch, kick-off and predictions
When is France vs Morocco?
The game is scheduled to kick off at 7pm GMT (10pm local time) on Wednesday 14 December.
The semi-final will take place at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
How can I watch it?
In the UK, the match will air live on BBC 1, and it will stream live on the broadcaster’s BBC iPlayer app and website.
France possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Morocco possible starting lineup:
Bono; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Predictions
Morocco’s exemplary defensive resilience was not impacted by their injury concerns against Portugal, but even more fitness troubles in the rearguard will surely spell the end of their clean sheet streak, and likely their inspirational World Cup run.
Regragui’s wounded warriors may very well try to rush themselves back for what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and a France team who have only needed Mbappe to be in the starting lineup to win World Cup matches will no doubt take advantage, so a second successive final should be on the menu for Les Bleus. – France 2-0 Morocco – (SportsMole)
France, given their pedigree and array of stars, are the favourites here – but so were Spain and Portugal. Morocco have been the undeniable fairytale story in Qatar, becoming the first African team to reach the final four, and one thing their squad won’t be short of is belief. Morocco will fight till the end, but France should come out on top. Narrowly. – France 1-0 Morocco (aet) (Independent)
It’ll be a tough match but an exciting one at least. France are the favourite, but as England proved, the 2018 Champions can be held. Morocco will have to go one further than England and hold onto a clean sheet, but it can be done. Though it won’t be easy, we’re backing Morocco to go all the way to the final. Morocco 1-0 France (aet). – (WTX Sport)
