Forty teams are already at home, or on their way, leaving just eight in the United States to contend for the ultimate prize in football at the FIFA World Cup 2026.The top four seeds have all made it through – just – but who will remain standing after 100 of this tournament’s 104 matches are complete? Morocco defender Jawad El Yamiq (#18) reacts after losing a semifinal match against France during the 2022 World Cup at Al Bayt Stadium, Doha, Qatar [Yukihito Taguchi/USA TODAY Sports]Atlas Lions seek revenge against FranceQuarterfinal 1: France v Morocco – Thursday, 20:00 GMT – BostonRecommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThis will be a hotly-anticipated rematch of the semifinal in Qatar in 2022 when Morocco’s fairytale run was ended by the then defending champions.After topping a group featuring Croatia and Belgium, stunning Spain on penalties in the round of 16 and then overcoming Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinal, Morocco came into the game full of momentum and confidence but also fatigued and nursing key injuries.It felt like a bonus match at the time, but their uphill task became a mountain to climb when they fell behind after just five minutes.To their credit the Atlas Lions found their feet, enjoying 60% of the possession in the game, winning more corners than the French, having 10 shots at goal and hitting the woodwork, but only one of those efforts was on target and France made the game safe with a crucial second 11 minutes from time.Four years on and things are very different. Only nine of the 2022 squad made this one, just four of the starting eleven which faced France last time started agains …
