2022 World Cup: France vs Morocco preview: team news, kick-off time, probable lineups, tactics & key stats

France will take on Morocco in the semifinals of the World Cup on Tuesday night and they will be hoping to book their place in their second successive World Cup final with a win.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup champions will certainly be the favourites heading into the contest and it remains to be seen whether they can grind out a positive result here.

France managed to pick up a 2-1 win over England in the quarter-finals despite not managing to hit top form. They will certainly need to improve against a well-organised and determined Morocco side tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Morocco are the first African team to reach the semifinals of a World Cup and they will be hoping to make history once again when they take on France on Wednesday. The Atlas Lions managed to upset the odds and eliminate Portugal in the quarterfinals, and they will be hoping to achieve a similar feat in the semifinals now.

It will be interesting to see if Morocco can step up and grind out another surprise win against the defending world champions this week.

Team News and Tactics

France

Didier Deschamps will have a fully fit squad to choose from and France does not have any notable injury concerns ahead of the semi-final clash against Morocco on Wednesday.

Hugo Lloris is expected to start in goal after an impressive showing against England.

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde is expected to deputise as the right-back in the absence of a more natural option.

In the central defence, Raphael Varane could partner with Ibrahima Konate. Dayot Upamecano had a mediocre display against England, and he could be dropped in favour of the Liverpool defender here.

Theo Hernandez is expected to continue as the left back here.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot put on a stellar display against England, and both players are expected to start in the base of France’s midfield here. While Tchouameni will look to break up the play, Rabiot will hope to drive the team forward with his technical ability and physicality.

Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé are expected to start in the wide areas, and they will add pace, flair and creativity to the French attack.

Antoine Griezmann is expected to operate in between the lines, and he will link the midfield with the attack.

Olivier Giroud was excellent against England, and he will be hoping to get on the score sheet once again in the semifinals.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Konate, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

Morocco

Morocco could be without a number of key players for this game. Walid Cheddira was shown a red card in the game against Portugal, and he is set to miss out here.

Meanwhile, Captain Romain Saiss and centre-back Nayef Aguerd are doubtful with injury issues.

Yassine Bounou will start in goal after his fantastic performances in the tournament so far.

In the back four, Achraf Hakimi will continue as the right back and Yahya Attiat-Allah will start as the left back. If Aguerd and Saiss miss out, the likes of Achraf Dari and Jawad El Yamiq will come into the side as the centre-backs.

In the midfield, Azzedine Ounahi will partner alongside Sofyan Amrabat and Selim Amallah.

The front three pretty much picks itself with Youssef En-Nesyri leading the line. Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal will be the wide options.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Yamiq, Dari, Attiat-Allah; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal

Key Stats

France have won 8 of their last 9 matches (FIFA World Cup).

France have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches (FIFA World Cup).

Morocco are undefeated in their last 6 matches (FIFA World Cup).

Morocco are yet to concede a goal scored by an opposition player.

France have faced Morocco 11 times in the past, winning seven, drawing three, and losing only once.