local
France and Morocco meet again at the World Cup, this time in the quarterfinals
By KYLE HIGHTOWER, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 9, 2026
· 1 min read
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — There are a lot of connections and familiarity on the field for the World Cup quarterfinal match between France and Morocco. France beat Morocco in the semifinals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar when the Atlas Lions became the first African team to make it that far. Franc...
Key takeaway France beat Morocco in the semifinals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar when the Atlas Lions became the first African team to make it that far.
Why this matters in The McAllen
For Valley residents with ties to Morocco, this World Cup quarterfinal match holds special significance, as the Atlas Lions' success has been a source of pride for the local Moroccan community. The Rio Grande Valley's diverse cultural landscape, with its strong Hispanic and Latin American influences, also includes a smaller but vibrant Moroccan presence, making this international matchup a compelling event for some local families and businesses. As France and Morocco face off, McAllen 's soccer fans will be watching closely, drawn in by the teams' history and the excitement of the World Cup. The match may also spark interest in local soccer leagues and programs, potentially inspiring young Valley players to follow in the footsteps of their World Cup heroes.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — There are a lot of connections and familiarity on the field for the World Cup quarterfinal match between France and Morocco. France beat Morocco in the semifinals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar when the Atlas Lions became the first African team to make it that far. Franc...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KYLE HIGHTOWER, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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