Qatar 2022: France and their difficult history against African nations at the World Cup

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The two-time champions are looking to book their third World Cup final ticket, in order to do that they need to defeat Morocco and a checkered past against African nations at the World Cup.

It’s a statistic the French would like to forget but will have to live with, a difficult history at the World Cup against African nations. Didier Deschamps’ side did not have an easy path to the semi-finals, with the French beating Poland and England after winning their group to reach the semi-finals against promoted Morocco.

This will be France’s seventh World Cup semi-final appearance, with the team having won their last three in 1998, 2006 and 2018, making it two of three World Cup victories. France also have a favorable history against Morocco, winning three matches and drawing two.

What France do not have, and will hope to overcome, is a good record against African nations at the FIFA World Cup. Here is France’s dubious history against teams from Africa.

France’s World Cup record against African teams

France is the nation with the most losses to African teams at World Cups, their strife began against Senegal in 2002 in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup 1-0. In a dismal World Cup in South Africa, France finished bottom of their group with no wins and only 1 draw. Against host South Africa the French suffered a 2-1 defeat and were sent packing.

Now in 2022, this same French side was defeated by Tunisia 1-0, although France had already qualified for the round of 16. No team has ever lost to two African teams in one World Cup, so that stat is in the French’s favor.

Morocco on the other hand will look to make history by becoming the first African team to play in the World Cup final where the winner between France – Morocco will play against Lionel Messi and Argentina on Sunday.

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