2026 FIFA World Cup Best Bets (July 9): France vs. Morocco Odds & Prediction

The first quarterfinal match will take place this afternoon in the Boston suburbs when No. 1 France takes on Morocco, making its second straight appearance in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

The calendar has turned several times and here we are four years later but with the same two nations staring at each other late in the World Cup. Just like in the 2022 semifinals, France and Morocco are set to fight to advance in this tournament. It's an epic match again with so much at stake.

Want an equivalent in North American sports? For Morocco, this is like a Lakers/Celtics matchup. Four years ago, France beat Morocco, 2-0. Now the rivalry deepens.

(Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

The next three days will see four quarterfinals matches played, all on U.S. soil. I'll have Best Bet selections for each match.

View our Best Bonus Offers for Soccer and find bonus bets, deposit matches, and more.

World Cup Odds for Thursday, July 9

I was shut out in my two picks on Tuesday. My World Cup Best Bets record is 15-21. I'm down 1/2 unit overall. There are still eight matches remaining: plenty of time to get back on the plus side.

• France: -175
• Morocco: +475
• Tie: +290

Odds via BetMGM Sportsbook

Only one team from Africa remains, and the hopes of a continent rest with Morocco. The task is tall: France has won all five of its matches in the World Cup, by a goal margin of 14-3. That's why the oddsmakers have installed the French as the clear favorite in this match, and to win the World Cup (+175 according to BetMGM sports betting app).

World Cup Best Bets Today: France vs. Morocco (July 9)

France has dominated nearly every minute it has been on the pitch in this tournament. It has not trailed for even one minute. The French have led for 244 minutes out of 450 in the World Cup, or 54% of the time.

Very few people think France can lose to Morocco. For that to happen, Morocco will probably need to do what Senegal did in the Round of 32: rough up France and concentrate on defending while hoping for a fluke goal. That strategy kept that match 0-0 into the 70th minute until Kylian Mbappé scored on a penalty kick.

Maybe the world thinks Morocco has done enough by becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals twice. But, this team is not at all satisfied. Just four years ago, the Atlas Lions reached the semifinals. It was there that they were defeated by ... France.

Best Brand

BetMGM Promo

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Best Bonus

FanDuel Promo

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB

Newcomer

DraftKings Promo

New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES

Get bonus now

To be eligible for DraftKings Sportsbook and the Promotion, you must be physically located in AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR (residents only), TN, VA, VT, WY, WV, CA-ONT or CA-AB (each an “Eligible Jurisdiction” or, collectively, the “Eligible Jurisdictions”). Must be 21+ years of age or older (18+ if in DC/NH/PR/WY/CA-AB) (19+ in CA-ONT). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA) Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 9/20/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Yes, this is a revenge game for Morocco, which has more than 10 players on the roster from the team that lost to France in the semis four years ago in Qatar.

Any crooked numbers on the scoreboard will likely spell trouble for Morocco. It's strength is the midfield, where the Atlas Lions have speed and toughness.

Given the propensity for Morocco to play physical and commit fouls (81, the most in the World Cup), how the referees call the match will be crucial.

Corners have been over 8.5 in four of France's five games. In three of its games, France has had more than eight corners itself. This is the market for my first Best Bet on today's quarterfinal:

• Over 8.5 Corners (+125, BetMGM)

If France and Morocco combine for more than 8.5 corners, your winning $100 bet will be worth $125 plus your stake.

Key Match Stats (France vs Morocco)

• France has 39 Attempts On Target, which is 44% of its Attempts At Goal. But, Morocco is not far behind at 39% (25-for-64).
• France has a 13% Crossing Accuracy, which measures the accuracy of all cross passes. That's the lowest figure in the tournament and 11% below the average.
• Morocco has committed the most fouls in the tournament (81), and has a -19 differential between fouls for and against. In contrast, France has committed 43 and has a +6 differential.
• France continues to send shots at the goal from anywhere it can: 40 Attempts Outside the Penalty Area are the most in the World Cup and 14 more than Morocco.
• Combined, France and Morocco have conceded only six goals.

The only chance Morocco has is to copy Senegal's scheme to bully France and crowd the front of its own goal with bodies to make it difficult for Les Bleus to get off good shots. But France is steamrolling, and I see a repeat of the 2022 match between these teams: 2-0, favorites.

• France To Win and Over 1.5 Goals (-110, BetMGM)