France vs Morocco, FIFA World Cup semifinal live streaming info: Schedule, when and where to watch, stats, predicted XI
Match preview
After putting Belgium, Portugal and Spain to the sword in Qatar, Morocco is looking to bring another footballing superpower to its knees when it takes on France in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday in a game with heavy political and social undertones.
Morocco, the first team from Africa to reach the last four at a World Cup, will command a deafening support at the Al Bayt Stadium, and will need every bit of it to beat the defending champions and continue their fairytale run.
The game against former colonial power France will have an added edge. Morocco’s exploits in Qatar provided an outlet for marginalized migrant communities in France, who took to the streets to celebrate the teams’ victories.
The North Africans rode the wave of support throughout the tournament, with crowds cheering players on as they emptied the tanks in every game.
After finishing top of a group that also included Croatia, Belgium and Canada, Morocco beat the coveted Spanish and Portuguese to reach the semi-finals.
But whether it has enough to pull off an even bigger upset remains to be seen. By their own admission, there is a huge gulf in quality between the two sides.
France expected to attack, Morocco to resist. Morocco’s defense has been virtually watertight, conceding only once in its five matches so far – an own goal against Canada.
-REUTERS
PREVIEW 11
France: Hugo Lloris – Theo Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, Raphael Varane, Jules Konde – Adien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Antoine Griezmann – Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele
Morocco: Yassine Bounou – Achraf Hakimi, Jawad El Yamiq, Achraf Dari, Noussair Mazraoui – Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah – Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal
PLAYERS TO MISS FRA vs MAR SEMI-FINAL – INJURY AND SUSPENSIONS
The biggest omission from the Morocco series will be captain Romain Saiss. The defender was sent off and stretchered off in the team’s 1-0 win over Portugal.
Romain Saiss of Morocco is carried away on a stretcher during Morocco’s quarter-final match against Portugal. | Photo credit: AFP
Saiss’ absence is the second one in the defensive line for Morocco. Nayef Aguerd, another mainstay in the back line, is unlikely to recover in time from the hamstring injury that ruled him out in the quarter-finals.
There was another injury scare for star player Hakim Ziyech who picked up a knock and was ruled out of the Portugal game, but the Chelsea player looks to have overcome the problem and is likely to start the game.
Apart from the two defenders, forward Walid Cheddira will miss the game against France. The striker was shown two yellows and a red card in the quarter-final.
For France, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann received yellow cards in the quarter-final but these cautions, their first of the tournament, will be removed for the semi-final.
When and where to watch
When will the semi-final between France and Morocco kick off?
The semi-final between France and Morocco will take place on December 15 at 12:30 am. IST kick off.
Where will the semi-final between France and Morocco kick off?
The semi-final between France and Morocco will kick off at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Where can you watch the semi-final between France and Morocco in India?
The semi-final between France and Morocco will be broadcast live on Sports18 and Sports18 HD. On Android as well as iOS, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be streamed live on JioCinema.
Where can you watch the semi-final between France and Morocco outside India?
Argentina – Live Stream: Telemundo
United States – TV: FOX, Telemundo; Live Stream: fuboTV, Fox Sports App, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
Canada – TV: CTV, TSN; Live Stream: fuboTV, TSN app
United Kingdom – TV: BBC One; Live stream: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Australia – TV: SBS; Live Stream: SBS On Demand
New Zealand – TV: Sky Sports; Live stream: Sky Sport
Malaysia – TV: RTM, Astro; Live Stream: Astro Go
Singapore – TV: Mediacorp Channel 5; Live Stream: StarHub TV+, IPTV, Singtel TV
Hong Kong – TV: BeIN Sports, ITV; Live stream: Now TV, ViuTV
Nigeria – SuperSport and Showmax Pro.
