France vs Morocco: A Look Back at Their World Cup Encounters and Rivalry

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the upcoming clash between France and Morocco is already stirring excitement. Both teams bring distinct histories to the tournament. France, with two World Cup titles, relies on its star players like Kylian Mbappe to chase a third trophy. Morocco has carved its name in recent history, reaching the semifinals in 2022—the first African team ever to do so—and now returns to the quarterfinals, facing France once again.

Past Encounters Between France and Morocco

These nations have faced each other six times before, but only once during the World Cup. In fact, they have played just four competitive matches outside of friendlies. Their earliest meeting dates back to the 1988 Tournoi de France, where France won 2-1. They also crossed paths in the King Hassan II Cup tournaments.

Their rivalry gained new significance after their 2022 World Cup semifinal showdown, where France defeated Morocco 2-0.

Head-to-Head Record

Across all matches, France leads the series with four wins, one draw, and one loss. When excluding friendlies, France still holds a solid edge at three wins to one loss. The 2022 World Cup semifinal remains their most high-profile encounter, with France securing the victory through goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani.

Recent Meetings

Their first World Cup encounter was unforgettable. At Al Bayt Stadium, with a spot in the final at stake, France took an early lead thanks to Theo Hernandez’s goal in the fifth minute. Morocco fought hard but couldn’t break through, and Randal Kolo Muani sealed the win late in the game. Morocco's remarkable run ended in fourth place after a loss to Croatia in the third-place match. France went on to lose the final against Argentina on penalties.

With this history behind them, the 2026 quarterfinal promises intensity as Morocco aims to go deeper, while France seeks to add another trophy to their legacy.