Foxborough, July 9 (IANS) Morocco playmaker Brahim Diaz believes the Atlas Lions have every reason to be confident ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against France, insisting they have earned the right to challenge one of the tournament favourites.Morocco, who stunned Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16 after edging the Netherlands on penalties, now face the side that ended their dream run in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. But Diaz said his team are not in the last eight merely to make…
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Massachusetts, July 9 (IANS) France’s pursuit of a third successive FIFA World Cup semifinal faces a stern challenge when they meet Morocco in the quarterfinals at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, with both sides eyeing a place among the tournament’s final four.The fixture rekindles memories of their meeting at the 2022 World Cup, where France ended Morocco’s historic run with a 2-0 victory before progressing to the final. Four years on, however, the North African side arrives as a more mature and …
New Delhi, July 9 (IANS) India legend Sunil Chhetri has tipped France to win the FIFA World Cup 2026, saying Didier Deschamps’ side possesses unmatched quality and depth ahead of their blockbuster quarter-final against Morocco.”How do you bet against France? They have speed, stamina, experience, trophies and unbelievable depth. If one superstar is unavailable, another superstar comes in. Very few teams in the world have that luxury in every position,” said Chhetri, who is part of the Zee5 FIFA W…
Rabat, July 8 (IANS) Former Morocco winger Zakaria Aboukhlal has warned the Atlas Lions that they cannot afford to rely solely on defensive resilience against France, insisting they must also be brave in possession when the two sides renew their FIFA World Cup rivalry in Friday’s quarterfinal.The fixture marks the first World Cup meeting between the nations since France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament in Qatar, ending the Atlas Lions’ historic run as the first Afri…
Houston, July 5 (IANS) Co-hosts Canada became the first host nation to be eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a ruthless Morocco produced a clinical second-half display to secure a 3-0 victory in Houston and book a place in the quarter-finals.Canada came flying out of the blocks and had the better of the early exchanges but couldn’t make their pressure tell. The North Africans found it tough to get a foothold in the match with Yassine Bounou in the Morocco goal denying both Jonathan Da…
Foxborough, June 20 (IANS) Morocco underlined their growing World Cup credentials with a commanding 1-0 victory over Scotland on Friday, as Ismael Saibari’s strike after just 71 seconds proved enough to send the North Africans to the top of Group C.The surprise semi-finalists of four years ago thrashed the Scots, imposing themselves from the start, pressing high up the pitch and dictating terms throughout. Morocco’s opener by Saibari – the fastest goal of the tournament to date – settled any…
New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) After the court rejected Moroccan football star appeal for an injunction for prosecution and confirmed he will stand trial on accusations of rape, the PSG defender denied such charges, saying, “If he wasn’t famous, there never would have been a case” and it feels like he has become “an easy target.” In February 2023, a woman then aged 24 told police in the Val-de-Marne region southeast of Paris that she met Hakimi in January 2023 on Instagram and went to his home in …
Mumbai, June 19 (IANS) Former India captain and football legend Bhaichung Bhutia has shared his views ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C clash between Morocco and Scotland and opined that attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz could make the difference for Morocco. Morocco, who finished fourth at Qatar 2022, went blow-for-blow in an entertaining draw with Brazil in their opener.Speaking about the player to watch, Bhaichung highlighted Morocco’s attacking threat from the right side, backing Dia…
New Jersey, June 13 (IANS) Brazil will kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Morocco, likely the highlight fixture of the opening round. Group C also includes Haiti and Scotland, but Brazil and Morocco are regarded as the strongest teams and favourites for direct passage to the Round of 32.Head coach Carlo Ancelotti leads a star-studded Brazilian team with high expectations, while Morocco, under Mohamed Ouahbi, has risen impressively in recent years and is now one of the most respe…
New Jersey, June 13 (IANS) Brazil will be without Neymar for their opening FIFA World Cup group-stage match against Morocco, with coach Carlo Ancelotti admitting the superstar forward could miss the entire group phase as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.Speaking before Saturday’s matchup against the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists in New Jersey, Ancelotti mentioned that Neymar is making progress but is not ready to return yet.”He is working hard to be fit again as quickly as possible. …