Marrakech – Rabat’s World Cup fan zone has moved to Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium for tonight’s FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal between Morocco and France. The match kicks off at 9 p.m. Morocco time (GMT+1) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough near Boston.
The Rabat Live Arena had operated out of the 22,000-seat Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium since the group stage opener against Brazil on June 13, hosting screenings through the Round of 16 match against Canada last Saturday.
Organizers relocated after that last screening sold out in record time, saying the move was necessary to accommodate a larger crowd under better conditions. Prince Moulay Abdellah, fully rebuilt and inaugurated in late 2025 for the AFCON, has a capacity of over 68,000 seats. It will serve as the capital’s sole fan zone for the remainder of the tournament.
Doors open at 4 p.m., four hours before kickoff. The pre-match program includes DJ sets, concerts, and live performances from Moroccan rapper ElGrande Toto, Stormy, and singer Rym Fikri. Giant screens will broadcast the match live throughout the stadium.
Tickets are available through the Fever app. Transfers are permitted until 1 p.m. on Thursday and must be processed through the app. General admission grants access to the main stands. Premium options include hospitality packages, VIP seating, and VVIP access.
Private luxury Sky Boxes range from MAD 16,000 ($1,600) to MAD 46,000 ($4,600). VIP ticket holders receive one parking spot per two entries at lot P4. VVIP holders get one spot per entry. Sky Box holders receive one spot per four tickets at lot P2.
Read also: ONDA Sets Up World Cup Fan Zones Across Six Moroccan Airports
On the pitch, the stakes are enormous. Morocco remains the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals in back-to-back tournaments. The Atlas Lions advanced from Group C with a 1-1 draw against Brazil, a 1-0 win over Scotland, and a 4-2 victory against Haiti.
They then eliminated the Netherlands on penalties in the Round of 32 and dismantled co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16.
But Morocco will be without striker Ismael Saibari, who scored in each of the three group stage matches but suffered a hamstring injury in the Canada game. Brahim Diaz, who has four assists in the tournament, and Achraf Hakimi, with 15 chance creations, will need to carry the attacking burden.
France enters the quarterfinal as the only team to win all five of its matches in regulation. Kylian Mbappé leads the Golden Boot race with seven goals. Les Bleus are seeking their third consecutive World Cup semifinal appearance.
The two sides last met at this stage in 2022, when France won the semifinal 2-0 in Qatar.
