​France are among the clearest summer favourites for a World Cup title I’ve ever seen. Ian Wright isn’t alone in thinking Didier Deschamps’ side are the team to beat; pundits, fans and bookmakers alike have tipped France to lift the trophy. And can you blame them? Five games, five wins. Fourteen goals scored, two conceded. Only once have they failed to hit three or more in a World Cup match.
With Kylian Mbappe on fire and a dangerous supporting cast featuring Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, and Bradley Barcola just behind him, they strike fear into every defence. Add in the depth of quality in reserve with players like Desri Doue and Rayan Cherki, and the prospect feels outright terrifying.
As Thursday’s quarter-final against Morocco (21:00 BST) closes in, BBC Sport’s team of journalists offered their views on whether anyone can stop the 2018 champions and 2022 runners-up.
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Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter: Spain are the team to beat and they’re my favourites more than France now. I’ve changed my mind after watching both sides. Spain exhibit greater control, defend in compact blocks, and still haven’t conceded. I watched all of France’s group games, but they don’t possess the same level of control as Spain and they do give teams a glimpse of hope. Senegal should have led at half-time, and even an understrength Norway caused France problems in the opening moments in Boston. Morocco may trouble them, but Spain should lie in wait in the last four—a possible Euro 2024 semi-final rematch that Spain won 2-1.
Phil McNulty, BBC Sport’s chief football writer: France have looked the most impressive team in the tournament so far, driven by Mbappe, Olise, and Dembele. Yet they are beatable, and if they reach the semi-finals they’ll meet Spain, who are serial winners and European champions, assuming Spain see off their quarter-final opponents. France are formidable, but this would be a significant test for Deschamps’ side. Spain arrive on a remarkable 35-match unbeaten streak across all competitions and know how to win tight games, as their injury-time victory over Portugal in the last 16 showed. If France overcome Spain, they could meet current World Cup holders Argentina or England in the final. France remain favourites to win the World Cup, but none of the challengers believes the trophy is already wrapped up—this tournament has already shown there are no certainties.
Elizabeth Conway, BBC Sport journalist: Spain have a real chance of beating France, even though they’ve flown a little under the radar this World Cup. Much of that is down to their brightest star, Lamine Yamal, who has yet to reach his peak this tournament, adding an extra layer to the thinking around Spain’s potential. The under-the-radar status doesn’t diminish their capability or belief that they can topple France. Spain’s blend of youth and experience, their tactical discipline, and the momentum of a strong unbeaten run all combine to create a credible path to defeating the favourites. The French side are exceptional, but this is not a one-horse race, and the field believes it has what it takes to derail them.