France vs Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final represents unfinished business for Moroccan fans, four years after France ended Morocco's historic World Cup run in Qatar. Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, and now the team returns not as dreamers but as solid contenders. Moroccan sports journalist Hamza Shteiwy described it as a "revenge match," especially for players from the 2022 squad who felt the loss deeply. Since Qatar, Morocco's football program has strengthened significantly: the Under-20 side won the Under-20 World Cup, the senior team climbed to sixth in FIFA's rankings, and investment in youth development is paying off. Veteran journalist Hameed Bel Hassan said the 2022 success "wasn't a fluke" but the result of strategic planning by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Morocco has looked confident throughout the tournament, holding Brazil and beating Scotland, the Netherlands, and Canada to set up the rematch with France, who remain perhaps the tournament's most complete side with Kylian Mbappe leading a talented squad.
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