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Who is Yassine Bounou? What to know about Morocco goalie for quarterfinals
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- Who is Yassine Bounou? What to know about Morocco goalie for quarterfinals
Editor's note: Follow our live updates for France vs Morocco
After a fourth-place finish during the 2022 World Cup, Morocco entered this year's tournament with high expectations. And so far, they've lived up to them.
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Morocco has advanced to the quarterfinals where they will take on arguably their toughest opponent yet in France . France , fresh off a win over Paraguay in the round of 16, boasts a remarkable offense led by one of the greatest scorers in World Cup history , Kylian Mbappé .
However, even Mbappé might tremble before the might of Moroccan goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou .
Nicknamed " Bono ," Bounou was born to Moroccan parents in Montreal, Canada , but moved to Morocco at a young age.
Luka Modric #10 of Croatia and teammates react after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Toronto.
Derrick Luckassen #23 of Ghana reacts after the 0-1 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Colombia and Ghana at Kansas City Stadium on July 03, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Vozinha #1 and Kevin Pina #6 of Cabo Verde react after the 2-3 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde, on July 3, 2026 in Miami.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Kerim Alajbegovic looks dejected after the match as Bosnia and Herzegovina are eliminated from the World Cup .
Bosnia and Herzegovina 's Kerim Alajbegovic looks dejected after the match as Bosnia and Herzegovina are eliminated from the World Cup.
Pathe Ciss #6 of Senegal is consoled by Amadou Onana #24 of Belgium after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Seattle.
Players of England celebrate the team's 2-1 victory while Fiston Mayele #19 of Congo DR shows dejection after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Cedric Bakambu #17 of Congo DR reacts after the team's 1-2 defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sweden's defender Gustaf Lagerbielke reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between France and Sweden at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 30, 2026.
Viktor Gyokeres #17 of Sweden and teammates applaud fans after the 0-3 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Buda Mendes, Getty Images)
Amad Diallo #15 of Cote d'Ivoire reacts after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
Patrick Berg #6 of Norway celebrates after the 2-1 win as Yahia Fofana #1 of Cote d'Ivoire reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
(From L) Netherlands' defender #02 Lutsharel Geertruida, midfielder #26 Quinten Timber and midfielder #14 Tijjani Reijnders react after losing in the shootout during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between the Netherlands and Morocco at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on June 29, 2026.
(CARL DE SOUZA, AFP via Getty Images)
Germany's forward #07 Kai Havertz reacts after losing the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026.
Germany's defender #05 Aleksandar Pavlovic and defender #18 Nathaniel Brown react after losing the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026.
(ODD ANDERSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
Germany's midfielder #20 Nadiem Amiri reacts after losing the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026.
(JEWEL SAMAD, AFP via Getty Images)
A Germany fan reacts after the penalty shootout loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
Kai Havertz #7 of Germany reacts after the penalty shootout loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Robert Cianflone, Getty Images)
A Japan fan reacts after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Brazil and Japan at Houston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Daizen Maeda #11, Shuto Machino #6 and Yuto Nagatomo #5 of Japan react after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Brazil and Japan at Houston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
South Africa's forward #07 Oswin Appollis reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between South Africa and Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 28, 2026.
(ETIENNE LAURENT, AFP via Getty Images)
Ronwen Williams #1 and Khuliso Mudau #20 of South Africa look dejected after the team's defeat and their side's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28, 2026 in Inglewood, Calif
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Khuliso Mudau #20 of South Africa looks dejected after the team's defeat and his side's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28, 2026 in Inglewood, Calif.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Luka Modric #10 of Croatia and teammates react after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Toronto.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Luka Modric #10 of Croatia and teammates react after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Toronto.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Derrick Luckassen #23 of Ghana reacts after the 0-1 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Colombia and Ghana at Kansas City Stadium on July 03, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Vozinha #1 and Kevin Pina #6 of Cabo Verde react after the 2-3 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde, on July 3, 2026 in Miami.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Kerim Alajbegovic looks dejected after the match as Bosnia and Herzegovina are eliminated from the World Cup .
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Bosnia and Herzegovina 's Kerim Alajbegovic looks dejected after the match as Bosnia and Herzegovina are eliminated from the World Cup.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Pathe Ciss #6 of Senegal is consoled by Amadou Onana #24 of Belgium after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Seattle.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Players of England celebrate the team's 2-1 victory while Fiston Mayele #19 of Congo DR shows dejection after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Cedric Bakambu #17 of Congo DR reacts after the team's 1-2 defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Sweden's defender Gustaf Lagerbielke reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between France and Sweden at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 30, 2026.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Viktor Gyokeres #17 of Sweden and teammates applaud fans after the 0-3 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Buda Mendes, Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Amad Diallo #15 of Cote d'Ivoire reacts after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Patrick Berg #6 of Norway celebrates after the 2-1 win as Yahia Fofana #1 of Cote d'Ivoire reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway at Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
(From L) Netherlands' defender #02 Lutsharel Geertruida, midfielder #26 Quinten Timber and midfielder #14 Tijjani Reijnders react after losing in the shootout during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between the Netherlands and Morocco at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on June 29, 2026.
(CARL DE SOUZA, AFP via Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Germany's forward #07 Kai Havertz reacts after losing the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Germany's defender #05 Aleksandar Pavlovic and defender #18 Nathaniel Brown react after losing the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026.
(ODD ANDERSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Germany's midfielder #20 Nadiem Amiri reacts after losing the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026.
(JEWEL SAMAD, AFP via Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
A Germany fan reacts after the penalty shootout loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Kai Havertz #7 of Germany reacts after the penalty shootout loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Robert Cianflone, Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
A Japan fan reacts after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Brazil and Japan at Houston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Daizen Maeda #11, Shuto Machino #6 and Yuto Nagatomo #5 of Japan react after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Brazil and Japan at Houston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
South Africa's forward #07 Oswin Appollis reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between South Africa and Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 28, 2026.
(ETIENNE LAURENT, AFP via Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Ronwen Williams #1 and Khuliso Mudau #20 of South Africa look dejected after the team's defeat and their side's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28, 2026 in Inglewood, Calif
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Agony of defeat as World Cup ends for these teams
Khuliso Mudau #20 of South Africa looks dejected after the team's defeat and his side's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28, 2026 in Inglewood, Calif.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
Where does Bounou play professionally?
Bounou is the starting goalkeeper for Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal. With Al-Hilal, Bounou has taken home numerous pieces of hardware including 2023 African Goalkeeper of the Year. He even received a nomination for the Ballon d'Or in 2023 as well, though he wound up finishing 13th in the running and third for the 2023 Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper.
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Before heading to Saudi Arabia , Bounou built up a strong reputation in Europe, particularly in Spain , as the starting keeper for Sevilla. Bounou's stout goalkeeping helped lead Sevilla to the 2019-2020 UEFA Europa League title. He was twice nominated for the FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year Award (2022, 2023), but lost both times.
How has Bounou played in the World Cup?
Bounou has been as good as advertised during this World Cup. He made crucial, remarkable saves in the round of 32 against the Netherlands , including a save on a PK that helped propel his country over their European adversaries.
Even more interesting, Bounou did not dive to make the save, he merely anticipated the shot from the Dutch shooter and moved into position accordingly.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Who is Yassine Bounou? What to know about Morocco goalie for quarterfinals
