Moroccan revenge on the horizon
France and Morocco will meet on Thursday in the World Cup quarterfinals. The duel relives the 2022 clash in Qatar, when Morocco made history as the first African team in the semifinals. That time, France won 2-0.
Now, the African team is the only one from its continent still in contention in North America. Les Bleus want to confirm their favoritism and reach their third consecutive semi-final.
Didier Deschamps, French coach, anticipates a complex match. “Morocco’s profile is not that of Paraguay. They are an excellent team, with top-level individuals. They are not here to play just to play. They are here to win,” he declared on Tuesday.
Olise’s appeal, unsuccessful
FIFA rejected France’s appeal on Wednesday for the yellow card Michael Olise received against Paraguay. The card was shown at 97 minutes due to a struggle with Matías Galarza Fonda. Replays showed Olise holding the opponent’s jersey.
Deschamps confirmed the news: “There was no change regarding Olise’s yellow card. We received this morning the decision from FIFA that it would stand.” If Olise receives another yellow card on Thursday, he would miss a possible semi-final.
The case drew comparisons with US President Donald Trump’s intervention before Gianni Infantino so that Folarin Balogun was not suspended. FIFA lifted the sanction, but the United States lost 4-1 to Belgium and was eliminated.
Mbappé, on the margins of the controversy
Deschamps also addressed Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla’s insults against Kylian Mbappé on social networks. The French prosecutor’s office investigates hate speech. “Kylian is strong and nothing affects him. He is at a high level,” said the coach.
Regarding the refereeing – three yellow cards for France and none for Paraguay in the round of 16 – Deschamps was cautious: “It is out of our control. I trust the refereeing. Our rival is Morocco, not the referee.”
Asked about his future after the tournament, as he will leave the national team after 14 years, he responded: “I’m not thinking about that. I’m focused on the Moroccan team to win that match.”




