<\/h2>\nMorocco Seeks Revenge and Aims to Make History Against France<\/h2>\n![\"France](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fra-mar-4.jpg\")
PHOTO: The Moroccan National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBack in 2022, in Qatar, Morocco put on the best performance ever by an African national team at a World Cup after eliminating Spain and Portugal, but France stood in their way, knocking them out in the semifinals with a 2-0 victory.<\/p>\n
Now, in 2026, it has also become the first African team to reach the quarterfinals twice\u2014and in consecutive tournaments, no less.<\/p>\n
After winning both the Arab Cup and the African Cup of Nations in between, in a highly controversial final against Senegal.<\/p>\n
Morocco is no longer a dark horse, but a very formidable team that will be one of the hosts of the 2030 World Cup and now hopes to settle the score with France, a country where six of the players called up by Ouahbi for this World Cup were born.<\/p>\n
Saibari’s Big Question<\/h2>\n![\"soccer,](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fra-mar-5.jpg\")
PHOTO: The Moroccan National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIsmael Saibari is not one of them.<\/p>\n
The attacking midfielder, who has been converted to a center forward on Ouahbi’s national team, was not born in Morocco either, but in Terrassa, on the outskirts of Barcelona.<\/p>\n
Saibari, who scored crucial goals against Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, had to be substituted in the first half of the Round of 16 match against Canada.<\/p>\n
This was due to discomfort in the hamstrings, although tests ruled out a serious injury.<\/p>\n
Bayern Munich’s newest signing has traveled with the team to Boston, although it remains to be seen whether he will play in the match.<\/p>\n
If his departure is confirmed, the Moroccan coach will have to turn to Soufiane Rahimi, who has yet to really find his footing with the team.<\/p>\n
Morocco will need Saibari’s goals to stand up to France.<\/p>\n
France is counting on Mbapp\u00e9 and its star-studded lineup<\/h2>\n![\"France](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fra-mar-3.jpg\")
PHOTO: French National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNot even Paraguay, which threw the French off balance with an ultra-defensive strategy and conceded only one goal, managed to avoid elimination against the heavy favorite to win the title.<\/p>\n
Didier Deschamps has a standard starting lineup, with eight regular starters and three positions where he has been rotating players.<\/p>\n
Lucas Digne appears to have edged out Th\u00e9o Hern\u00e1ndez for the left-back spot, while Aur\u00e9lien Tchouam\u00e9ni and Manu Kon\u00e9 are vying for a spot in midfield.<\/p>\n
The most exciting action is up front, where he has been rotating Bradley Barcola and D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9\u2014teammates at PSG\u2014on the left wing.<\/p>\n
Back in 2022, in Qatar, Morocco put on the best performance ever by an African national team at a World Cup after eliminating Spain and Portugal, but France stood in their way, knocking them out in the semifinals with a 2-0 victory.<\/p>\n
Now, in 2026, it has also become the first African team to reach the quarterfinals twice\u2014and in consecutive tournaments, no less.<\/p>\n
After winning both the Arab Cup and the African Cup of Nations in between, in a highly controversial final against Senegal.<\/p>\n
Morocco is no longer a dark horse, but a very formidable team that will be one of the hosts of the 2030 World Cup and now hopes to settle the score with France, a country where six of the players called up by Ouahbi for this World Cup were born.<\/p>\n
Saibari’s Big Question<\/h2>\nPHOTO: The Moroccan National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIsmael Saibari is not one of them.<\/p>\n
The attacking midfielder, who has been converted to a center forward on Ouahbi’s national team, was not born in Morocco either, but in Terrassa, on the outskirts of Barcelona.<\/p>\n
Saibari, who scored crucial goals against Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, had to be substituted in the first half of the Round of 16 match against Canada.<\/p>\n
This was due to discomfort in the hamstrings, although tests ruled out a serious injury.<\/p>\n
Bayern Munich’s newest signing has traveled with the team to Boston, although it remains to be seen whether he will play in the match.<\/p>\n
If his departure is confirmed, the Moroccan coach will have to turn to Soufiane Rahimi, who has yet to really find his footing with the team.<\/p>\n
Morocco will need Saibari’s goals to stand up to France.<\/p>\n
France is counting on Mbapp\u00e9 and its star-studded lineup<\/h2>\nPHOTO: French National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNot even Paraguay, which threw the French off balance with an ultra-defensive strategy and conceded only one goal, managed to avoid elimination against the heavy favorite to win the title.<\/p>\n
Didier Deschamps has a standard starting lineup, with eight regular starters and three positions where he has been rotating players.<\/p>\n
Lucas Digne appears to have edged out Th\u00e9o Hern\u00e1ndez for the left-back spot, while Aur\u00e9lien Tchouam\u00e9ni and Manu Kon\u00e9 are vying for a spot in midfield.<\/p>\n
The most exciting action is up front, where he has been rotating Bradley Barcola and D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9\u2014teammates at PSG\u2014on the left wing.<\/p>\n
Ismael Saibari is not one of them.<\/p>\n
The attacking midfielder, who has been converted to a center forward on Ouahbi’s national team, was not born in Morocco either, but in Terrassa, on the outskirts of Barcelona.<\/p>\n
Saibari, who scored crucial goals against Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, had to be substituted in the first half of the Round of 16 match against Canada.<\/p>\n
This was due to discomfort in the hamstrings, although tests ruled out a serious injury.<\/p>\n
Bayern Munich’s newest signing has traveled with the team to Boston, although it remains to be seen whether he will play in the match.<\/p>\n
If his departure is confirmed, the Moroccan coach will have to turn to Soufiane Rahimi, who has yet to really find his footing with the team.<\/p>\n
Morocco will need Saibari’s goals to stand up to France.<\/p>\n
France is counting on Mbapp\u00e9 and its star-studded lineup<\/h2>\nPHOTO: French National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNot even Paraguay, which threw the French off balance with an ultra-defensive strategy and conceded only one goal, managed to avoid elimination against the heavy favorite to win the title.<\/p>\n
Didier Deschamps has a standard starting lineup, with eight regular starters and three positions where he has been rotating players.<\/p>\n
Lucas Digne appears to have edged out Th\u00e9o Hern\u00e1ndez for the left-back spot, while Aur\u00e9lien Tchouam\u00e9ni and Manu Kon\u00e9 are vying for a spot in midfield.<\/p>\n
The most exciting action is up front, where he has been rotating Bradley Barcola and D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9\u2014teammates at PSG\u2014on the left wing.<\/p>\n
Not even Paraguay, which threw the French off balance with an ultra-defensive strategy and conceded only one goal, managed to avoid elimination against the heavy favorite to win the title.<\/p>\n
Didier Deschamps has a standard starting lineup, with eight regular starters and three positions where he has been rotating players.<\/p>\n
Lucas Digne appears to have edged out Th\u00e9o Hern\u00e1ndez for the left-back spot, while Aur\u00e9lien Tchouam\u00e9ni and Manu Kon\u00e9 are vying for a spot in midfield.<\/p>\n
The most exciting action is up front, where he has been rotating Bradley Barcola and D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9\u2014teammates at PSG\u2014on the left wing.<\/p>\n
![\"quarterfinals,](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fra-mar-2.jpg\")