World Cup news live: Latest England injury updates and France-Morocco build-up

Hello and invited to Sports Mole's unrecorded World Cup 2026 quality blog connected Thursday, July 9!

Following a uncommon time with nary Mundial action, the quarter-finals are astir to get underway, arsenic France and Morocco vie for the archetypal spot successful the past four.

Meanwhile, the build-up continues to England's quarter-final showdown with Norway, and the fallout continues from the Folarin Balogun saga.

Today's World Cup headlines

> England rocked by triple stroke earlier Norway battle

> France vs. Morocco preview: Prediction, squad quality and lineups

World Cup quality live: What's happening connected July 9?

Wednesday, July 8 marked the archetypal implicit 'off day' astatine the World Cup since the expanded 48-team tourney began, but the enactment resumes successful Foxborough this evening with a tasty 2022 semi-final repeat.

However, lone 1 of France oregon Morocco volition advancement to the last 4 this clip around, arsenic Les Bleus and the Atlas Lions fastener horns astatine the Gillette Stadium successful Foxborough astatine 9pm UK time.

The clash pits unneurotic a France broadside who overcame a stingy Paraguay defence and unsavoury tactics from their South American foes successful a 1-0 round-of-16 win, portion the Moroccans survived a fewer scares against Canada successful a 3-0 beating of the co-hosts.

The Atlas Lions' triumph came astatine a outgo successful particular, though, arsenic prima striker Ismael Saibari picked up a thigh wounded which volition regularisation him retired of the quarter-final, arsenic confirmed by caput coach Mohamed Ouahbi.

In Saibari's place, Al-Ain attacker Soufiane Rahimi is expected to pb the line; the 30-year-old came disconnected the seat to people his 2nd extremity of the contention successful the last-16 occurrence implicit Canada, portion helium besides provided an assistance successful the group-stage triumph implicit Haiti.

On France's end, it remains to beryllium seen whether Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni volition flooded muscular discomfort successful clip to marque the cut, but Didier Deschamps is improbable to hazard him from the archetypal whistle.

Elsewhere, England proceed their prep for Saturday's clash with Norway, portion Spain and Belgium cogwheel up to conscionable successful their quarter-final contention successful Ingelwood connected Friday.