​France eliminated Morocco 2-0 in the 2026 World Cup quarter-final at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Thursday, sealing a spot in a fourth consecutive World Cup semi-final for Didier Deschamps’ side, as reported by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. The tie was decided by goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, with Mbappé recovering from an earlier penalty save to net and reaffirm his status as the decisive performer in the clash. This result continues France’s extraordinary run of deep runs in recent tournaments, following their appearances in the final in both 2018 and 2022.
Morocco’s journey ends after a campaign that once again confirmed the Atlas Lions as genuine World Cup contenders rather than mere romantics. They had defeated Canada 3-0 in Houston in the round of 16 to reach back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, building on their 2022 Qatar run that saw them become the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Ahead of the Foxborough showdown, France were widely viewed as narrow favourites, a sentiment reflected in pre-match analyses of the fixture. France’s road to this quarter-final included a 1–0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16 in Philadelphia, a match covered in the round-of-16 preview.
With the victory, France advance to the semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 14, where they will face the winner of Spain versus Belgium. A third consecutive World Cup final would represent an unprecedented achievement in the modern era, and France’s attacking depth—evident in Dembélé’s impact even as Mbappé carried the captain’s armband—offers credible proof that the feat could be within reach.
As the days unfold, tactical and fitness analyses, along with updated match markets, will shape the buildup to the Arlington showdown. Analysts and fans alike will pore over the strategic choices, injury updates, and lineup options as Didier Deschamps’ squad aims to cement their status as World Cup title contenders once more.