The encounter between Morocco and France renews when they meet on Thursday at Gillette Stadium near Boston, in the opening match of the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup held in North America.

Morocco achieved an unprecedented feat for an Arab and African team when they reached the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, before the adventure ended at the hands of Kylian Mbappé and his French teammates, who lost the final to Lionel Messi's Argentina on penalties.

After a month of exciting competition that saw 280 goals in 96 matches, the number of teams has been reduced from 48 to 8, with the dream of winning the title approaching in the final scheduled for July 19 at East Rutherford.

France has established itself since the start of the finals as one of the main title contenders, but the brilliant Morocco will in turn seek revenge and thus end the journey of coach Didier Deschamps, who will leave his position with Les Bleus after a 14-year stint during which he won the 2018 title and reached the 2022 final.

Deschamps, one of only three men to have won the World Cup as both player and coach, said on Wednesday that he does not think much about his personal legacy, adding: 'I don't think about that at all. In my mind and with my staff, the goal is only to do everything we can to make things go well. My focus is on the Morocco team and on making things go our way.'

The French coach also downplayed widespread concerns on social media about the appointment of Argentine referee Facundo Tello and what that might pose as a problem for his team.

It seems that France and Argentina are on course for an anticipated final rematch, repeating the 2022 scenario.

Deschamps said: 'There are always decisions that can be controversial, depending on which side you belong to, but our opponent is Morocco. I cannot count the referee as an opponent.'

Deschamps makes history by leading his 25th match in the finals, equaling the record, but achieving the 20th win is not guaranteed; since 3 of France's World Cup defeats this century (excluding penalties) have come against African teams (3 out of 6).

Morocco showed great efficiency in the round of 16, scoring 3 goals without conceding against Canada, one of the three host nations, from only 5 shots on target.

The Atlas Lions are behind the only two unbeaten streaks for an African team over 5 matches in a single World Cup edition.

Morocco has the potential to test Deschamps' team, thanks to a strong mix of technical skills, physical strength, and tactical intelligence under the guidance of their coach Mohamed Ouhbi.

Deschamps said: 'We faced them 4 years ago in the semi-final, and they played in the Africa Cup of Nations final,' adding: 'They are a very good team with excellent players, and they did not get here by chance. It will be a clash between two teams that like possession, attack, and scoring goals.'

From the Moroccan side, Sunderland winger Shamseddine Talbi said after Tuesday's training session: 'We feel good after recovering from the tough match against Canada, and we are now focusing on facing France and achieving the goal of reaching the semi-finals.'

The substitute who set up the equalizer against the Netherlands in the round of 32 added: 'It's definitely a match that every child dreams of playing, but we must focus on ourselves, be in top form, and make our country very proud of us.'

For his part, PSV Eindhoven defender Anas Salah Eddine said: 'France has a good team and so do we, and we have shown that so far in this tournament, and we are working seriously in preparation for them.'

The winner of Thursday's match will face in the semi-final the winner of Friday's encounter in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium.

Spain, which has not conceded a goal yet, is favored to overcome Belgium after eliminating Portugal led by Cristiano Ronaldo in the round of 16, while their neighbors and upcoming opponents secured a resounding 4-1 victory over the United States in the same round.

On the other side of the draw, defending champions Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday, after reaching the quarter-finals with difficulty.

The South American team, seeking to become the first to retain the title since Brazil in 1962, struggled to overcome Cape Verde in the round of 32, and then the scene repeated on Tuesday in the round of 16 against Egypt, who seemed on course for a stunning upset leading 2-0 until the 79th minute, before Messi and his teammates turned the tables to win 3-2 with a goal in stoppage time.

Messi, who missed a penalty in the first half, said: 'We did not want it to end today. We did not want to go home.'

Argentina or Switzerland will face the winner of the Norway vs England match, which takes place in Miami on Saturday.

England reached the quarter-finals after an exciting 3-2 win over Mexico, one of the three host nations, giving the Three Lions renewed confidence in their quest for a first major title since 1966.

In England's way stands a strong Norwegian team led by striker Erling Haaland, who scored both goals in the win over Brazil in the round of 16 on Sunday.

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