The first Arab encounter for France in the World Cup was against Kuwait.

France will be set for a fiery clash against Morocco in the 2026 World Cup after their hard-fought qualification for the quarter-finals by defeating Paraguay in extremely hot conditions in Philadelphia.

The match brings together the runner-up of the 2022 World Cup and the 'Atlas Lions', who became the first Arab and African team to reach the semi-finals in World Cup history when they achieved this feat in the previous edition.

Morocco, led by their head coach Mohamed Ouhibi, will enter the match against France on Thursday evening in Boston, eager for revenge and to restore their honor, after 'Les Bleus' ended the Moroccans' dream with a 2-0 victory in the semi-finals of the last World Cup.

However, encounters with Arab teams hold positive memories for the French, as they were their gateway to continue their World Cup journey in all previous editions.

The France-Morocco showdown will be the sixth meeting for 'Les Bleus' against Arab teams in the World Cup. The previous five encounters were as follows:

France - Kuwait (1982 World Cup)

The story began 44 years ago when France defeated Kuwait 4-1 in the first round of the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

At that time, Bernard Genghini, Michel Platini, Didier Six, and Maxime Bossis scored for France, while Abdullah Al-Buloushi scored Kuwait's only goal.

This resounding victory was France's gateway to continue their journey to the end, but they lost to Poland 2-3 in the third-place match.

France - Saudi Arabia (1998 World Cup)

France won their first World Cup title when they hosted the tournament in 1998, defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final.

'Les Bleus' began their 'first star' journey in the first round with an Arab encounter, beating Saudi Arabia 4-0, with a brace from Thierry Henry, plus goals from Bixente Lizarazu and David Trezeguet. The match saw French star Zinedine Zidane sent off with a straight red card, preceded by Saudi defender Mohammed Al-Khilaiwi.

France - Tunisia, France - Morocco (2022 World Cup)

In the previous edition in 2022 in Qatar, France failed to win the title for the second consecutive time, losing the final to Argentina on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in regular and extra time at Lusail Stadium.

In that World Cup, the French team's path to the silver medal included two Arab encounters. They lost the first against Tunisia in a dead rubber at the end of their Group D campaign, when Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

In the semi-finals, France defeated Morocco 2-0, with goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani, at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

France - Iraq (2026 World Cup)

In the current edition, the 23rd World Cup, the French team faced another Arab opponent before the Morocco quarter-final, as Didier Deschamps' squad beat Iraq 3-0 in the second match of Group I, with goals from Mbappé (brace) and Ousmane Dembélé, winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or for the world's best player.

It is worth noting that France has not been eliminated from the World Cup at the quarter-final stage since their loss to Germany with a goal from Mats Hummels in the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil.

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