France have been the standout team of the 2026 World Cup, winning all five of their games and scoring fourteen goals while conceding just two.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has described them as “one of the most clear favourites for a World Cup tournament I have ever seen,” a view shared by bookmakers and pundits alike.
Kylian Mbappe has been in devastating form, supported by Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, who have combined for 20 goal involvements across the tournament.
Didier Deschamps also has Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki available from the bench, giving France a frightening level of depth that most rivals simply cannot match.
Their quarter-final against Morocco represents the next obstacle, with BBC Sport journalists divided on whether anyone in the tournament can realistically stop the 2018 champions.
BBC Radio 5 Live’s Ian Dennis believes Spain are actually the more complete team, pointing out that they have yet to concede a single goal across the entire tournament so far.
“France don’t possess the same level of control as Spain and do give teams a chance,” Dennis said, noting that Senegal should have been ahead at half-time and Norway caused problems in Boston.
Chief football writer Phil McNulty agrees France are beatable, highlighting that Spain are on a remarkable 35-game unbeaten streak and know how to grind out results under pressure.
Spain proved that quality in the last 16 when they beat Portugal with an injury-time winner, and a potential semi-final between the two sides would represent a huge test for Deschamps.
BBC Sport journalist Elizabeth Conway points to Spain’s defensive structure, built around the centre-back partnership of teenager Pau Cubarsi and veteran Aymeric Laporte, as a genuine threat to France’s attacking dominance.
Rodri and Pedri control midfield possession for Spain, while Lamine Yamal provides width, and Conway notes that Spain have beaten France in each of their past two competitive meetings.
John Bennett of BBC World Service raises an intriguing tactical concern, questioning whether playing Olise in the number ten role could leave France exposed in midfield against a possession-based opponent.
“Could they be overrun in midfield, off the ball, when they have such an attack minded footballer playing ahead of a midfield two?” Bennett asked, suggesting Morocco may target exactly that area.
Neil Johnston warns that the most alarming aspect of France’s campaign is that Deschamps’ side may not yet have hit their ceiling, with rivals fearing there are gears still to be found.
France overcame a two-hour storm delay, the temporary loss of Deschamps following the funeral of his mother, and Paraguay’s dark arts to reach the quarter-finals without ever trailing in a match.
BBC Sport’s England reporter Alex Howell is confident that if the two nations meet in the final, Thomas Tuchel’s side can stop France, with Declan Rice, Elliot Andersen and Jude Bellingham capable of imposing themselves physically in midfield.
England demonstrated their resilience with an impressive 3-2 win over Mexico in Mexico City, which Howell believes signals their readiness for the tournament’s toughest tests.
Gary Rose urges nobody to dismiss Morocco, reminding readers that the Atlas Lions were World Cup semi-finalists just four years ago and have arguably improved since that historic run in Qatar.
John Murray adds historical perspective, noting that many of the most exciting World Cup teams have ultimately fallen short, citing Brazil in 1982, Danish Dynamite in 1986, and the Germany side of 2006 as cautionary examples.
France remain the overwhelming favourites, but with Spain, Morocco, Argentina and England all lurking, the tournament has already shown that nothing in football should ever be taken for granted.
