July 10, 2026

France Advances to FIFA World Cup Semifinals After 2–0 Victory Over Morocco

France has secured a place in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Morocco 2–0 in their quarterfinal match at Boston Stadium on Thursday night, keeping alive their hopes of lifting another World Cup title.

The victory sends Didier Deschamps’ side into the tournament’s final four, where France will face the winner of the quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium. The semifinal is scheduled for July 14.

France controlled much of the contest despite an early setback when captain Kylian Mbappé had a first-half penalty saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The missed opportunity did little to slow Les Bleus, who continued to dominate possession and create scoring chances.

The breakthrough came early in the second half when Mbappé found the net, before Ousmane Dembélé doubled France’s advantage just minutes later to put the match beyond Morocco’s reach. The two quick goals proved decisive as France maintained control for the remainder of the game.

France’s midfield dictated the pace of play throughout the encounter, while the defense limited Morocco to very few clear opportunities on goal. Reuters reported that Morocco did not register a shot on target until the closing stages of the match, underscoring France’s defensive discipline.

Following the victory, France head coach Didier Deschamps praised his players’ composure and belief after the missed penalty, saying the team never doubted its ability to progress despite failing to capitalize on several first-half opportunities.

For Morocco, the defeat brought an end to another memorable World Cup campaign. Head coach Walid Regragui acknowledged that France had been the better side on the night and said his players must accept the result while taking pride in reaching the quarterfinals.

The result also strengthens France’s position as one of the favorites to win the tournament. International media have praised the team’s attacking depth, defensive organization, and ability to respond under pressure, with several outlets describing Les Bleus as the team to beat heading into the semifinals.

France will now turn its attention to its semifinal opponent, while Morocco leaves the tournament after another strong showing on the world stage. The remaining quarterfinal matches will determine the other semifinalists as the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy continues.

Sources:

• Reuters
• FIFA World Cup coverage
• ESPN