France cruise into semi-finals – could this be the best Les Bleus ever?

France did not just reach the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup. They announced themselves as the side most likely to lift the trophy on 19 July, with a performance that left Morocco chasing shadows and the rest of the tournament staring at an unbeatable-looking path.

How France turned pressure into power

Didier Deschamps’ side became the first nation to book a place in the last four with a controlled 2-0 win over Morocco in Boston. The scoreline flattered the Atlas Lions, who barely troubled Mike Maignan until the final minutes. France’s dominance was built on a six-minute burst in the second half when Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé struck in quick succession. Mbappé’s goal, his eighth of the tournament, arrived after a first-half penalty was saved, while Dembélé’s strike doubled the lead and sent Les Bleus into the semi-finals with a swagger that bordered on arrogance.

Morocco’s resistance crumbled under the weight of France’s attacking overload. The Atlas Lions finished with just one shot on target, a statistic that underlines how completely Deschamps’ side dictated the tempo. France have now scored 16 goals in this tournament—more than any other team—and with three quarter-finalists still to play, their attacking firepower looks unmatched.

Why this team could eclipse past champions

France have won the World Cup twice, in 1998 and 2018, and the European Championship twice more, but the current squad is being hailed as a potential pinnacle. Former midfielder Patrick Vieira, who played in the 1998 final, told ITV Sport that this generation is “maybe one of the best” he has seen, citing the depth of talent in attack. Vieira’s view is echoed by pundits who describe France as the most skilful and dangerous attacking force in the tournament, with multiple players capable of deciding games.

Deschamps, who has managed France since 2012 and will step down after this tournament, has overseen a side that blends youth and experience with ruthless efficiency. Their path to the semi-finals has been built on clinical finishing—Mbappé’s eight goals make him the tournament’s joint-top scorer, while Dembélé’s five goals mean France are only the second team in the past 50 years to have two players score five or more at the same World Cup, after Brazil’s Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002.

The road to the final is theirs to lose

With Deschamps’ tenure ending, this World Cup represents a final chance to cement his legacy. His side have already surpassed expectations, but the semi-final awaits—and the opposition will be desperate to derail their momentum. The question now is whether any team can stop France from reaching the final, let alone lifting the trophy. Former Scotland striker Pat Nevin, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, summed it up: “They have more than one [threat]. They have two, three, four that are capable.”

France’s next obstacle is unknown, but their dominance suggests they will enter every game as favourites. If they can maintain this level of performance, the 19 July final could be a coronation rather than a contest.

Tactical clarity and squad depth

Deschamps has built a side that thrives on balance. The front three—Mbappé, Dembélé, and another attacker—operate with such fluidity that defences struggle to contain them. The midfield, meanwhile, shields the defence while providing the platform for transitions. Morocco’s inability to press France into errors highlighted the gulf in class. Even when under pressure, Les Bleus retain the composure to unlock defences, a trait that has defined their tournament so far.

France’s journey to the semi-finals has been defined by control, not chaos. They have not needed to rely on luck or moments of individual brilliance; instead, they impose their will through collective intelligence and technical superiority. If they can carry this into the next round, the 2026 World Cup may well belong to them.