France underlined their credentials as the leading contenders for the 2026 World Cup by defeating Morocco 2-0 in Thursday’s quarter-final, becoming the first team to secure a place in the last four.

Already world champions in 1998 and 2018, Les Bleus are now just two victories away from lifting the trophy again. With Didier Deschamps preparing to step down after this tournament, another triumph would strengthen arguments that this squad deserves to be considered among the finest France have produced.

Former France midfielder Patrick Vieira believes the current generation is approaching that level. Speaking after the win, he highlighted the remarkable depth available in attack, describing the number and quality of offensive players as extraordinary.

France’s latest success has only added to the growing belief that this side has all the ingredients needed to complete another title-winning campaign.

Attacking quality continues to set France apart

The breakthrough in Boston arrived during a devastating six-minute spell after the interval. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring before Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele quickly doubled the advantage, leaving Morocco with no route back into the contest.

Those strikes increased France’s tournament total to 16 goals, the highest tally of any nation at this stage of the competition. Mbappe also reached eight goals despite seeing an earlier penalty saved, drawing level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot while remaining ahead thanks to a superior assist count.

Dembele’s fifth goal of the tournament also placed France in rare company. They became only the second team in the past 50 years to have two players score at least five goals during the same World Cup, following Brazil’s achievement in 2002.

Former Scotland forward Pat Nevin praised France’s attacking strength, describing them as the tournament’s most dangerous side and pointing out that their threat comes from several different players rather than relying on a single star.

Confidence grows ahead of a possible Spain showdown

Deschamps has guided France since 2012 and has already confirmed this World Cup will be his final tournament in charge. During his tenure, the national team lifted the 2018 World Cup, reached the 2022 final, finished runners-up at Euro 2016, and lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

France entered the tournament ranked third in the world behind Argentina and Spain. Should Spain overcome Belgium in their quarter-final, they will meet France in Dallas for a place in the final.

Vieira believes France holds the advantage if that meeting takes place. While acknowledging Spain’s expected progress through the tournament, he argued that France has improved significantly compared to four years ago, whereas Spain has not reached the same level of development.

The former Arsenal captain even suggested that he cannot currently see any opponent preventing France from advancing to another World Cup final.

Strength throughout the squad and a solid defence

Before the Morocco match, former England striker Ian Wright described France as one of the clearest favourites he had seen entering a World Cup. After watching the quarter-final, he said it was difficult to identify any obvious weakness in the side.

Wright noted that Spain could create problems through their passing ability and the pace of Lamine Yamal, but he still viewed France as the stronger team because of their overall quality and individual talent. Behind the main goalscorers, Deschamps can also call upon Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Rayan Cherki, and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

France’s defensive record has been equally impressive. They have conceded only twice in six matches, with goals allowed against Senegal and Norway, the latter having rested most of its regular starters after already reaching the knockout stage.

Roy Keane added that France still have another level to reach. While insisting they remain beatable, he argued that their combination of goalscoring forwards and players capable of producing moments of individual brilliance makes them especially dangerous, particularly once they take the lead.

Two victories remain between France and history

France’s route to the semi-finals has included wins over Senegal, Iraq, Norway, Sweden, Paraguay, and Morocco, leaving them with a flawless record heading into the final stages of the tournament.

Having already secured their place in the last four, Deschamps’ side can now wait for the remaining quarter-finals to determine their next opponents while enjoying extra preparation time.

Despite the growing confidence surrounding the team, Nevin urged caution. He believes France has occasionally relaxed after establishing comfortable leads and warns that complacency could become their greatest obstacle.

Even so, with their balanced squad, prolific attack, and disciplined defence, France remain only two victories away from securing a third World Cup title.