"How do you bet against France....": Chhetri backs France ahead of FIFA WC quarterfinal against Morocco
Mumbai, July 9
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals will revive memories of the 2022 FIFA World Cup when France take on Morocco in a highly anticipated quarter-final clash. The two nations last met on the World Cup stage in the semi-finals in Qatar, where France ended Morocco's historic run with a 2-0 victory before progressing to the final.
The clash between the two-time champions and dark horse side from Africa will take place at 1:30 AM IST on July 11. Four years on, Morocco returns to the last eight determined to create more history. The Atlas Lions have once again relied on their trademark defensive discipline, tactical organisation and quick transitions to navigate a difficult route to the Quarter-Finals. Their ability to frustrate elite opposition while capitalising on counter-attacks has made them one of the tournament's toughest teams to break down.
France, meanwhile, have looked every bit like genuine title contenders. Blending experienced leaders with an exciting new generation of talent, Didier Deschamps' side have combined defensive solidity with an explosive attack. Their depth across every position has allowed them to rotate without losing quality, making them one of the most complete squads remaining in the competition.
The quarter-final is expected to be a fascinating tactical battle. France will dominate possession and look to stretch Morocco's compact defensive shape through the pace of their wide players, while Morocco will hope to absorb pressure before launching quick attacks through their technically gifted midfielders and wingers. Set-pieces could also play a decisive role, with both sides possessing aerial threats at both ends of the pitch.
Several individual battles could define the contest. France will once again look towards Kylian Mbappe (seven goals) to provide moments of brilliance with his pace and finishing, while Ousmane Dembele's (four goals) creativity and direct running could prove crucial in unlocking Morocco's defence. Midfielders Michael Olise (five assists) and Adrian Rabiot will be tasked with controlling possession and preventing Morocco from breaking in transition.
For Morocco, captain Achraf Hakimi remains their biggest attacking outlet from right-back, combining defensive resilience with dangerous overlapping runs. Sofyan Amrabat will once again anchor the midfield and attempt to disrupt France's rhythm, while the creativity of Brahim Diaz and the finishing ability of Ismail Saibari could prove vital if Morocco are to spring another upset.
Ahead of the blockbuster encounter, India legend and Zee 5 FIFA World Cup 2026 expert Sunil Chhetri believes Didier Deschamps' side are favourites to lift the trophy. "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," Chhetri said.
The former India captain believes France's unmatched squad depth separates them from the rest of the field. "Think about it - the players who start, the players who come off the bench, even some of the players not playing regularly are world-class. France has consistently performed in major tournaments and it is difficult to see many weaknesses in this team."
With a place in the semi-finals at stake, Morocco will be eager to rewrite history and avenge their 2022 World Cup semi-final defeat, while France will look to once again demonstrate the quality, experience and depth that have made them one of the strongest contenders for the FIFA World Cup 2026 title.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As much as I respect Chhetri's opinion, I think he's underestimating Morocco. They've shown incredible tactical discipline. Remember 2022? They didn't just defend - they counter-attacked with purpose. France's depth is undeniable, but football is played on the pitch, not on paper. This could be closer than people think.
From an Indian perspective, it's interesting how we always debate about 'team depth' vs 'team spirit'. France has the luxury of superstars, but Morocco has that incredible unity. Reminds me of how our cricket team sometimes performs better as underdogs. Either way, it's going to be a cracking match! 🇮🇳⚽
Chhetri makes a valid point about France's depth, but respectfully, I think he's being too one-sided. Morocco's defensive organisation is world-class - they held Croatia, Belgium, and Spain in 2022. In knockout football, one moment of brilliance can change everything. France might have the edge, but writing off Morocco completely isn't fair.
This is going to be an absolute classic! France's attacking firepower vs Morocco's defensive resilience. As an Indian watching at 1:30 AM, I'm setting my alarm. The atmosphere in the stadiums this World Cup has been electric, and I can only imagine what the Morocco fans will bring! 🇫🇷🇲🇦
Chhetri's point about France's depth is spot on, but I hope Morocco proves everyone wrong. There's something magical about African teams doing well - it
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