France vs Morocco: FIFA Women's World Cup Round of 16, Team News and Predicted Line-ups

France vs Morocco will battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup 2023 when the two nations face at the Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday.

France vs Morocco: Match Preview

As an enthralling round of 16 draws to a close, the fate of these two nations remain in the balance. The final clash of the round promises to deliver as two nations with very different expectations and experience in this tournament prepare to showdown to stake their claim as footballing royalty.

For France, the quarter finals has proved to be a fatal stumbling obstacle in the previous two World Cups but reaching such round will be no easy feat against a Morocco side on cloud nine following their recent endeavours against Colombia.

Crucially, they will be hoping it will not be a repeat of their opening fixture against Jamaica, a story of dominating possession and bulk of the chances but with no such luck in front of goal.

Results elsewhere ensured a frustrating outing against the Reggae Girlz was a thing of the past, a late Wendie Renard winner against Brazil followed up with an emphatic 6-3 win over Panama meant France came out on top in Group F.

Morocco, meanwhile, suffered a much graver test in their inaugural World Cup outing, Germany providing a rude awakening for the debutants with a 6-0 defeat - an Alexandra Popp brace and two own goals a stark wake-up call with two games left to play.

A defensive schooling did present a silver lining, however, with Morocco reacting with back-to-back clean sheets against Colombia and South Korea.

Despite both nations dominating possession, neither side could break down their backline, Khadija Er-Rmichi and co. proving to be a formidable force while forwards Ibtissam Jraidi and Anissa Lahmari duly delivered down the other end to produce satisfying 1-0 wins to clinch second spot in gameweek 3 - beating Germany to the punch to return the hammer blow when it mattered most.

Nevertheless, past results and performances cannot save either side at this stage. World rankings and form mean nothing if they fail to deliver in these all-important 90 minutes. France bear the expectation of going all the way and challenging for the trophy while Morocco have already defied expectations..

Team News:

France:

As mentioned, Hervé Renard made five changes for Wednesday's bonkers 6-3 victory over Panama, but will largely revert to the XI that beat Brazil.

This'll see captain Wendie Renard return at centre-back, with Maëlle Lakrar likely to get the nod alongside, chosen over Estelle Cascarino.

After bagging a hat-trick last time out, Kadidiatou Diani is set to keep her place alongside Selma Bacha, in-behind les Bleues' record goal-scorer Eugénie Le Sommer.

Midfielder Grace Geyoro, who scored a hat-trick against Italy at last summer's Euros, will also be key as France aim to break down a low defensive block.

Morocco:

Reynald Pedros made wholesale changed following Morocco's mauling at the hands of Germany, so appears to have stumbled upon a winning formluae.

Nouhaila Benzina, who's become the first player wearing a hijab to feature at a World Cup, will remain in the XI, which'll be a big talking point, given France's recently-introduced draconian laws surrounding hijabs.

Spurs striker Rosella Ayane has, surprisingly, been left on the bench for Morocco's last two matches, with Ibtissam Jraïdi and Anissa Lahmari leading the line.

France vs Morocco: Head to Head

• France have lost only one of their ten games across competitions this year.
• Les Bleus have scored 11 goals and conceded five in their last five games.
• France are making their fifth appearance in the World Cup as opposed to one for Morocco.
• Morocco have lost half of their last ten games across competitions.
• France have won thrice, drawn once and lost once in their last five games, while Morocco have won twice, drawn once and lost twice in the same period.

Predicted Line-ups:

France Predicted XI (4-3-3): Peyraud-Magnin; Périsset, Renard, Lakrar, Karchaoui; Toletti, Geyoro, Dali; Diani, Bacha, Le Sommer.

Morocco Predicted XI (4-4-2): Er-Rmichi; Aït El Haj, Benzina, El Chad, Redouani; Chebbak, Nakkach, Ouzraoui Diki, Tagnaout; Jraïdi, Ayane.