France Not Worried About Argentine Referee in 2026 World Cup Quarterfinals Against Morocco

France does not want to focus on the referee ahead of facing Morocco in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals (Instagram/@equipedefrance).

JAKARTA - France head coach Didier Deschamps downplayed the appointment of an Argentine referee for the World Cup quarterfinal match against Morocco on Thursday.

Rivalry between the two countries has been fierce since Argentina beat France in the 2022 final and a repeat remains a possibility.

However, Deschamps said he had no problem with the assignment of Facundo Tello for the match, along with two Argentine assistant referees, a reserve assistant, and a fourth referee.

"We have to deal with it. I trust the referee. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referee," said Deschamps.

Les Bleus' reserve goalkeeper Robin Risser also backed the referees.

"There's been a kind of bitterness (between France and Argentina) for a few years now since the last final, but that's part of the game."

"If these referees are there, it's because they are at the level of the competition," said Risser.

As is known, the refereeing issue is currently a matter of concern. The performance of the referee has become a hot spot at the 2026 World Cup with the performance of the French referee, Francois Letexier in the 16th round match between Argentina vs Egypt which was criticized by the African team.

Obviously, the referee in the France vs Morocco match was also highlighted. However, Deschamps did not want to bother. He even couldn't help but to mock the referee's critics.

"Hopefully our referee is as good as Monsieur Letexier," Deschamps joked.

Meanwhile, Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi also downplayed the impact of the referees.

"Regarding the referee for tomorrow's match, we are talking about a very experienced referee. That's what we want."

"We want experienced referees for this type of match. So we are very calm. We had a Dutch referee before facing the Netherlands and he did very well."

"So, it's not something we really talk about because we know that they're just trying to do the best they can."

"The referee who will lead the match against France, he is not too quick to give a yellow card. It can have an impact, but I will not say anything against the referee's quality," Ouahbi said at a pre-match press conference.

This match is a rematch of the 2022 semi-final when Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals, but their journey ended there as France won 2-0.

However, Ouahbi does not feel they have to avenge the defeat.

"Whoever the opponent is, our goal remains the same, namely reaching the semifinals. So, we will focus on ourselves. There is no revenge. We just want to continue our journey," he said.