The 2026 World Cup quarterfinals commence Thursday with France taking on Morocco at 4 p.m. ET in Foxborough. While the French are 2-to-1 favorites at FanDuel to claim the title, Morocco enter as 27-to-1 underdogs, trailing only Belgium and Switzerland at 30-to-1 each. Morocco’s 2022 semifinal appearance and dominant 4-1 win over Canada in the Round of 16 signal their resilience. France’s star-studded attack features Kylian Mbappe (tied for the Golden Boot lead with seven goals, plus an assists tiebreaker) alongside Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, but Morocco’s defensive grit and counter-attacking threats like Brahim Diaz create compelling goalscorer opportunities.

Mbappe’s partnership with Dembele and Olise provides France with a potent trio, while Morocco’s depth—bolstered by players like Diaz (14 goals in 31 internationals) and potentially Ismael Saibari—adds unpredictability. Saibari’s hamstring issue leaves Diaz as Morocco’s primary goal threat, potentially marking a pivotal moment for the Real Madrid playmaker.

Top Goalscorer Picks for Thursday

  • Ousmane Dembele, France (210/1, FanDuel)
    The 29-year-old PSG forward erupted with a first-half hat-trick in France’s 4-1 group stage victory over Norway, underscoring his match-winning potential. Despite limited impact in the Paraguay tie, his goal contributions and 10 goals in 11 starts last season position him as a key offensive weapon.

  • Desire Doue, France (260/1, FanDuel)
    Though managing just 12 minutes of action in previous matches, the 21-year-old’s eye for goal—evidenced by his Norway strike and three international goals—makes him a low-risk, high-reward option if extra time is required.

  • Brahim Diaz, Morocco (500/1, FanDuel)
    As one of Morocco’s six double-digit international scorers, the 26-year-old Real Madrid midfielder is poised to break through. His four World Cup assists and consistent clinical finishing (14 goals in 31 appearances) suggest he could deliver a career-defining moment.

Thursday’s clash promises drama, with value lying in under-the-radar attackers who thrive in high-stakes environments.

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