Morocco faces France in the Round of 16

Morocco steps into the World Cup 2026 round of 16 against the "Les Bleus" on July 9, aiming for a spot in the quarter‑finals. Coach Mohamed Wahbi hopes to repeat his perfect knockout record after a 3‑0 win over Canada in the last‑16 (2026-07-07).

What is Wahbi’s record with the national side?

Mohamed Wahbi, appointed in March 2026 after replacing Walid Regragui, has logged 7 wins and 2 draws in 10 matches. Under his guidance the Atlas Lions have scored 26 goals (2.6 per game) while conceding only 9. With the U‑20 side he secured four knockout victories at the 2025 Chile tournament, beating South Korea, the United States and finally Argentina in the final.

Why is this clash decisive?

A win over France would mark the first time Morocco reaches the quarter‑finals. The team arrives on a strong run: the last result was a 3‑0 victory over Canada, and the most recent result against Senegal was 3‑0 (2026-01-18). Recent form shows 4 wins and 1 draw in the last five matches, highlighting confidence in attack after Yasser Zbiri’s brace in the previous final against Argentina.

What lies ahead if Morocco beats France?

A French upset would set up a quarter‑final against a European heavyweight, possibly Germany or Spain. With an average of 2.6 goals per game and only 9 goals conceded in ten outings, the Lions can rely on swift wing play while keeping a tight defence.

How could this impact the national team’s future?

Success would cement Wahbi’s reputation for maintaining a perfect knockout streak and could trigger a contract extension with the federation. It would also raise the market value of home‑grown talent after a strong World Cup showing.

Next fixture: Morocco meets France (away) on 2026-07-09, with high fan expectations and intense media buzz surrounding the encounter.