Saibari on track for World Cup quarter-final against France

Saibari trending toward fitness for the France quarter-final

Good news. Ismael Saibari looks likely to be ready for Thursday's World Cup quarter-final against France (1) (4). The midfielder, your team's standout performer this tournament, has been training separately from the group but is not ruled out, Moroccan media describe the injury outlook as positive (3). No final decision yet, but the tone has shifted from worry to optimism.

Hakimi vs Mbappé, friends, then rivals

Thursday night in New York brings the reunion you knew was coming. Achraf Hakimi and Kylian Mbappé, inseparable at PSG, face each other with a semi-final spot on the line (2). No score to preview, just two teammates who know each other's every move, now trying to end each other's World Cup.

Tchouaméni training alone for France

France have their own midfield concern. Aurélien Tchouaméni trained apart from the squad ahead of the quarter-final (5). No confirmation he misses out, but a disrupted preparation for one of their key players is a detail worth tracking. Kickoff is Thursday at 22:00 Paris time (5).

Fan reactions

The officiating appointment has not gone unnoticed. All four match officials for France–Morocco are from Argentina, and Moroccan fans online are treating it as a grim omen, one comment called it a semi-final ticket handed out before kickoff. The mood is part gallows humour, part genuine unease. See the full thread on r/worldcup.