France vs. Morocco: A Look at Their World Cup History and Rivalry

France and Morocco: Past Encounters on the World Stage

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the upcoming clash between France and Morocco carries significant weight, given their shared history in international soccer. France, boasting two World Cup titles, enters the tournament with a roster full of stars led by Kylian Mbappe, chasing a third trophy. Meanwhile, Morocco has recently made waves as the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022, marking a milestone in football history. Now they face France again in the quarterfinals, hoping to push even further.

Head-to-Head Record

The teams have faced off six times before, but only once during the World Cup and twice in the last two decades. Out of those six matches, four were competitive fixtures while two were friendlies. Their rivalry has grown notably since the 2022 World Cup encounter, which remains the most high-profile meeting to date.

Their first meeting occurred at the 1988 Tournoi de France, where Les Bleus won 2-1. They also clashed in the King Hassan II Cup, with memorable results on both sides. Overall, France leads the series with four wins, Morocco has one, and there has been one draw. When friendlies from 1999 and 2007 are excluded, France still holds a 3-1 advantage.

Last Meeting at the 2022 World Cup

Their most recent match was a defining moment at the 2022 World Cup semifinals in Qatar. It was Morocco’s first time facing France in a World Cup setting. The match took place at Al Bayt Stadium, with a place in the final at stake. France took an early lead through Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute and sealed the win when Randal Kolo Muani scored in the 79th minute. While France eventually lost to Argentina in the final via penalties, Morocco finished fourth after a defeat against Croatia in the third-place match.