​The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached its knockout phase, with the first quarterfinal clash already completed. The match took place at the Boston Stadium, where the tournament’s frontrunners France faced the underdogs Morocco. After a gripping 90 minutes, France secured a decisive 2-0 victory, eliminating Morocco from the tournament. The goals came from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, sealing a win that pushed France firmly into the semifinals and moved them a step closer to claiming the world title.
With France advancing, the field of contenders narrows, and the path to the championship becomes clearer. In the wake of the result, Opta’s predictive model places France in a strong position, listing them as the favorites to win the tournament. According to the latest projections, France holds a 37.46% likelihood of lifting the trophy. Trailing closely are Spain at 18.90% and Argentina at 15.89%, with England occupying the fourth spot at 15.52%.
These odds reflect only the results of one completed quarterfinal, so there is still ample time for the landscape to shift as the remaining matches unfold. Nonetheless, based on the performances observed so far this tournament, France appears to be the team to beat as the competition progresses toward its final stages.
As fans and analysts digest the latest developments, the overall sense is that France has tapped into a form capable of sustaining a deep run through the knockout rounds. Their victory over Morocco not only solidifies their semifinal berth but also reinforces expectations that they could become the country to lift the World Cup in 2026. The competition remains wide open beyond the current quarterfinals, yet the French team’s performance to date has elevated them to the forefront of the title race.