The France national soccer team is heading into its second consecutive FIFA World Cup semifinal. They will be up against the surprise package of this edition, Morocco.
The defending champions, France, shook off the supposed ‘world champions curse’ to make a second successive semifinal. They did so without a host of their top players including Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, and N’golo Kante.
However, the French were arguably second best against an unlucky England side in the quarter-finals. Olivier Giroud was on target for France as he extended his record as his country’s record goalscorer. On the other hand, Harry Kane skied a late penalty to miss his chance of becoming England’s record top-scorer and also keeping them alive in the World Cup.
🇲🇦 Morocco 🆚 France 🇫🇷
🏟️ Al Bayt Stadium
🏆 #FIFAWorldCup Semi-final
🕖 19:00 GMTFor the first time in #FIFAWorldCup semi-finals, the Atlas Lions are set to make history 🦁@EnMaroc pic.twitter.com/7426Ky8BvS
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 14, 2022
Meanwhile, the Moroccan side has been on a fairytale run beating European heavyweights. They managed to get the better of Roberto Martinez’s Belgium in the group stages and then defeated Luis Enrique’s Spain on penalties in the Round of 16.
Youssef En-Nesyri’s towering header helped Morocco end Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dreams in the quarterfinals. They are the first-ever African team to make the last four and now have France in their sights.
What time will France vs Morocco start?
Date: 14th December 2022
Time: 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT
Location: Al Bayt Stadium, Qatar
How to watch France vs Morocco in the US?
France vs Morocco will be telecasted live in the US on FOX Network and Telemundo. US soccer fans looking to stream the game can do so on Foxsports.com and the FOX App. Online platforms Peacock and fuboTV and Peacock can also serve as other options.
France vs Morocco: FIFA World Cup prediction
France may have the most potent attack on the international stage and they will need their stars to show up. Morocco has an exceptional defensive record this World Cup as it has conceded only one goal. France, however, is a favorite for Wednesday’s game, however, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and Olivier Giroud will have to make sure they pounce on every half chance they get.
Clean sheets so far this #FIFAWorldCup 🧤👀
🇲🇦 Bono: 4⃣
🇫🇷 Lloris: 0⃣#TelegraphFootball pic.twitter.com/WdCmyYz8Rk— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) December 14, 2022
Morocco is possibly the most inspired side at the moment and its resolute defense has been key. But injury concerns could see the Moroccan side make multiple changes in its defense.
Italy-born Walid Cheddira is banned after he received a double yellow in quick succession against Portugal. Meanwhile, the center-back pairing of Nayef Aguerd and Romain Saïss does not seem to be in good shape either. “We have a number of injuries,” Regragui told reporters on Tuesday, according to Diario AS. “We’ll have to wait until the last minute, we always take decisions quite late. No one is out for now but no one is definitely in either.”
For France, there are no suspensions but Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot are slight injury concerns.
France goes into this bout as favorites. However, with Morocco’s resilience, it might just happen that a single goal can settle the match. A 1-0 score line in favor of France is most likely with Kylian Mbappe getting a goal for the defending champions. The winner of this semi-final will go onto face Argentina in the final on Sunday.
