France defeated Morocco in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals to advance to the final, where they will meet either Spain or Belgium. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored the decisive goals in a display that underlined Didier Deschamps’ tactical transformation since the last tournament.
The result sends Les Bleus through to a showpiece occasion that will take them away from the east coast for the first time since the tournament began. It also confirmed a marked evolution in the team’s playing style compared to their 2022 encounter with the same opponents.
Attacking approach pays dividends
Deschamps has abandoned the cautious approach that characterised France’s 2022 semi-final victory over Morocco in Qatar. On this occasion, Les Bleus adopted a high pressing game and created significantly more goalscoring opportunities, managing more shots on target by half-time than they produced across the entire match four years ago.
The attacking intent kept Morocco under sustained pressure. Without the injured Ismael Saibari leading their line, the Atlas Lions struggled to escape their own half for long periods and rarely tested the French defence.
Manu Koné was instrumental in midfield, producing a dynamic performance that has effectively secured his place in the starting eleven. His energy helped compensate for lingering fitness doubts surrounding Aurélien Tchouaméni and provided protection for a backline that has enjoyed a relatively quiet run of matches, aided by William Saliba’s recovery from back problems.
Injury concerns emerge ahead of final
Despite the comprehensive nature of the victory, France face uncertainty over Mbappé’s fitness. The captain suffered an ankle injury during the match and was withdrawn before the final whistle, disrupting the team’s rhythm after Dembélé had doubled the advantage.
Adrien Rabiot dismissed any suggestion that France had been tested defensively. The midfielder told French broadcaster M6 that Morocco “weren’t dangerous” when France allowed them possession, adding that the team felt they “didn’t have to fear them.”
France will now prepare for a final against either Spain or Belgium. Deschamps has warned his players that they must improve their efficiency in front of goal against such formidable opponents, noting that clinical finishing becomes essential at this stage of the competition.
The semi-final success extends France’s impressive tournament scoring record, though the team has occasionally struggled to convert its dominance into early goals. With potential fitness issues affecting both Saliba and Mbappé, Deschamps may need to manage his squad carefully during the build-up to the final.