France vs Morocco World Cup lineups, starting 11 for semifinal match as Mbappe chases Golden Boot at Qatar 2022

History is there to be made in Wednesday's World Cup semifinal at the Al Bayt Stadium.

France are aiming to become the first country to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil accomplished the feat in 1958 and 1962.

Morocco downed Portugal 1-0, becoming the first African nation to reach the semifinals. Having also accounted for Spain and Belgium's exits at this tournament, can they spring their biggest upset yet, and claim the scalp of another heavyweight European side?

Here's all the buildup and team news for France vs. Morocco.

MORE: When is France vs. Morocco at World Cup? Date, time, early odds and history for semifinal match

France vs Morocco lineups

France captain Hugo Lloris performed superbly in the 2-1 quarterfinal win over England.

The experienced goalkeeper is not banking on fatigue being an issue for Morocco, despite their exertions off the ball against Spain and Portugal.

"We'll need all of our strength, all our energy, knowing there's something really special we can achieve," he said.

"I think we're all aware of this, but we'll continue to be calm and collected. But it has to come from [within]."

Romain Saiss has led Morocco to heroic feats, with some towering displays at centre-back, although he is one of a few key injury concerns for boss Walid Regragui.

"It just shows the character and mentality of this team," Saiss said. "Everyone is ready to play; it doesn't matter if they play for a while, or if they come in for every game.

"Everyone is focused and ready to play. That's how you go really far in this tournament."

Below are the starting lineups for both teams ahead of their match at Al Bayt Stadium on December 14.

France starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Lloris (GK) — 5. Kounde, 4. Varane, 18. Upamecano, 22. T. Hernandez — 8. Tchouameni, 7. Griezmann, 14. Rabiot — 11. Dembele, 9. Giroud, 10. Mbappe.

• Injured: L. Hernandez
• Suspended: None

Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud will continue to lead Didier Deschamps' attack, but a sickness bug put paid to Didier Deschamps' plans of fielding an unchanged lineup.

Central defender Ibrahima Konate and midfielder Youssouf Fofana will replace Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot, who are feeling unwell.

France's official Twitter account put the formation as 4-3-3, with Antoine Griezmann on the right of midfield, but given his form as a No.10 at these finals, it's likely he will stay in that role.

Didier Deschamps' 1⃣1⃣ for the 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶-𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 ⚔️

🇫🇷🇲🇦 | #FRAMAR | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/5rTSwZSxMg

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) December 14, 2022

Morocco starting 11

(5-4-1, right to left): 1. Bono (GK) — 2. Hakimi, 18. El Yamiq, 20. Dari, 6. Saiss, 3. Mazraoui  — 7. Ziyech, 8. Ounahi, 4. Amrabat, 17. Boufal —19. En-Nesyri

• Injured: None
• Suspended: Cheddira

Right before kickoff, there was a late lineup change as centre-back Nayef Aguerd was forced to withdraw from the starting 11. Achraf Dari stepped in just before kickoff, as Aguerd misses out thanks to a thigh injury that left him out of the Portugal match in the quarterfinals.

Regragui has decided to gamble on talismanic captain Saiss, after the Besiktas star was forced off injured against Portugal. Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui offers a further boost to a formidable backline, having sat out the Portugal game.

Jawad El Yamiq being retained means it could be a switch to a back five from Regargui, with Yahya Attiat-Allah and Selim Amallah dropping to the bench. Striker Walid Cheddira is banned due to his red card in the previous round.

France vs Morocco World Cup squads

Here are the names on the France and Morocco World Cup squads in Qatar. (Caps and stats correct as of start of the tournament).

France World Cup squad

*Will miss the rest of the tournament through injury

Morocco World Cup squad