Chhetri Praises France's Squad Depth Ahead of Quarterfinal Clash
India football legend Sunil Chhetri has backed France to overcome Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal, highlighting the defending champions' unparalleled squad depth. The match, set for July 11 at 1:30 AM IST, revives memories of their 2022 World Cup semifinal in Qatar, where France defeated Morocco 2-0 to reach the final.
Chhetri, serving as a Zee 5 expert for the tournament, stated, "How do you bet against France? They have speed, stamina, experience, trophies and unbelievable depth. If one superstar is unavailable, another superstar comes in. Very few teams in the world have that luxury in every position." He emphasized that France's bench strength sets them apart, noting that even players not in the starting XI are world-class.
Morocco's Defensive Resilience Meets France's Attacking Firepower
Morocco, the dark horse from Africa, reached the quarterfinals for the second consecutive World Cup, relying on their trademark defensive discipline, tactical organization, and quick transitions. Under coach Walid Regragui, the Atlas Lions have frustrated elite opponents and capitalized on counter-attacks. Key players include captain Achraf Hakimi, who provides attacking thrust from right-back, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who anchors the midfield, and creative talents Brahim Diaz and Ismail Saibari.
France, coached by Didier Deschamps, have looked like genuine title contenders, blending experienced leaders with a new generation. Their depth allows rotation without losing quality. Kylian Mbappe leads the attack with seven goals, while Ousmane Dembele has four goals. Midfielders Michael Olise (five assists) and Adrian Rabiot control possession.
Individual Battles to Decisive the Contest
The quarterfinal is expected to be a tactical battle. France will dominate possession and use wide players to stretch Morocco's compact defense. Morocco will absorb pressure and launch quick attacks through technically gifted midfielders and wingers. Set-pieces could be decisive, as both sides have aerial threats.
Chhetri added, "Think about it - the players who start, the players who come off the bench, even some of the players not playing regularly are world-class. France has consistently performed in major tournaments and it is difficult to see many weaknesses in this team." Morocco aims to avenge their 2022 semifinal defeat, while France seeks to demonstrate their quality and depth to advance to the semifinals.
