France became the first nation to reach the 2026 World Cup semi-finals after a commanding 2-0 victory over Morocco in Boston. With Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele firing on all cylinders, the question is no longer whether France can win the tournament — it is whether this is the greatest Les Bleus squad ever assembled.
A Dominant Display Against Morocco
France controlled the quarter-final from start to finish. They registered 22 attempts on goal compared to Morocco’s five, with the African side managing only a single shot on target in the 83rd minute.
The breakthrough came in the second half when Mbappe scored his eighth goal of the tournament. He had earlier missed a first-half penalty, but quickly made amends with a clinical finish. Dembele doubled the lead just six minutes later, sealing a comfortable win.
The Numbers Behind France’s Run
France’s attacking output at this World Cup is remarkable. They have scored 16 goals in six matches — more than any other team in the tournament. Mbappe now has eight goals, level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race, though the Frenchman leads on assists.
Dembele has chipped in with five goals, making France only the second team in the past 50 years to have two players score five or more at the same World Cup. The last side to do it? Brazil in 2002, with Ronaldo (eight) and Rivaldo (five).
At the back, France have conceded just two goals in six games — one against Senegal and one against a heavily-rotated Norway side.
What the Pundits Are Saying
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, who won the 1998 World Cup with France, believes this squad is on the verge of something special.
“We’re talking about a generation of players and when you look at the squad and the attacking players, it is maybe one of the best, because you have so many players — it is so unbelievable,” Vieira said on ITV Sport.
Ian Wright called France “one of the most clear favourites for a World Cup tournament I have ever seen,” while former Manchester United captain Roy Keane added: “France have got more gears to go.”
A Squad Packed With Attacking Depth
What makes France so dangerous is not just Mbappe and Dembele. Their bench and wider squad include some of the most exciting attackers in world football:
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) — creative winger with electric dribbling
- Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain) — young, explosive forwards
- Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) — technically gifted playmaker
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) — powerful striker option
This depth means France can change games from the bench in a way few other nations can match.
Deschamps’ Last Dance
Didier Deschamps has been France’s manager since 2012. In that time, he has won the 2018 World Cup, reached the 2022 final, and lost the Euro 2016 final. He has already confirmed this is his last tournament in charge.
If France lift the trophy on 19 July, it would be a third World Cup title for the nation and a fitting farewell for one of the most successful international managers in history.
What’s Next?
France now wait for the result of the Spain vs Belgium quarter-final. If Spain win, the semi-final will be a repeat of the Euro 2024 semi-final, where Spain beat France 2-1. That match is scheduled for Tuesday in Dallas.
Two more wins stand between France and a third World Cup crown. As pundit Pat Nevin warned: “Perhaps the only team that can stop them is themselves by not playing at their best.”
