France take on Morocco in a blockbuster World Cup quarterfinal showdown as the largest and most logistically complex edition of the footballing showpiece ever staged enters the home straight.
After a month of spellbinding action that has seen 280 goals scored in 96 matches, the expanded field of 48 has been whittled down to just eight teams who are dreaming of winning the title at the July 19 final in East Rutherford.
France, the outstanding side of the tournament to date, kick off the quarterfinals against African powerhouse Morocco at Gillette Stadium, outside Boston, in a rematch of the two teams' 2022 World Cup semifinal meeting.
A defeat for Les Bleus would mark the end of the road for France coach Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down after a successful 14-year reign at the conclusion of the tournament.
Deschamps, one of only three men to win the World Cup as both a player and coach, said Wednesday he is paying scant attention to his personal legacy.
"I am not thinking about that at all. In my head, with my staff, the objective is just to do everything we can so that things go well. I am focused on this Morocco team and on things going well for us," Deschamps said.
The France coach also dismissed concerns shared widely across social media that the choice of Argentinian referee Facundo Tello could spell trouble for his side.
France and Argentina are on a collision course to reach the final in a repeat of the 2022 final won by the South Americans.
"There are always decisions that can lead to debate depending on which side you are on, but our opponents are Morocco," Deschamps said. "I can't consider the referee to be an opponent."
No coincidence
Morocco have the means to test Deschamps' team, boasting a potent mix of technical quality, physicality and tactical nous under the guidance of coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
"We faced them four years ago in the semi-finals, and they've played in an Africa Cup of Nations final," Deschamps said.
"They are a very, very good team with excellent players — they aren't here by accident. It's going to be a clash between two teams that like to have possession, attack, and score goals."
The winner of Thursday's game will face a semifinal against the victor of Friday's tie in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium.
The clinical Spaniards, who have not conceded a single goal so far, eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the last 16 and will fancy their chances of overcoming Belgium, who dismantled the United States 4-1 in the last 16.
