Kylian Mbappe has never been shy about saying what he thinks. So when he stood in the mixed zone after France’s 2-0 win over Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals, he didn’t exactly mince words about where this team ranks.
“This is NOT the strongest France team, but it’s the one with the most potential,” Mbappe said, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. “I’ve always said that the best teams are the ones that WIN.”
That’s a pretty loaded statement from a guy who’s been on a World Cup winning squad before. Mbappe was a starter in 2018 when France lifted the trophy in Russia. He was the breakout star in 2022, carrying France to the final before losing to Argentina in a penalty shootout that will be replayed for decades. And now, in 2026, he’s the veteran leader of a team that hasn’t lost a knockout match in regulation time since the 2014 quarterfinals.
Thursday night’s win over Morocco wasn’t pretty for long stretches. Morocco packed the midfield, made life difficult for France’s creative players, and held out until the 62nd minute. That’s when Mbappe collected a loose ball just outside the box and drilled a low shot that took a slight deflection on its way in. It was his 20th World Cup goal, putting him in some truly rare air.
Ousmane Dembele made it 2-0 four minutes later, curling a left-footed finish past the keeper after a quick counter. That goal took the air out of Morocco’s resistance, and France saw out the rest of the match without much trouble.
There was one scare late in the second half when Mbappe went down grabbing his leg. He walked off gingerly but the team has not confirmed any injury. Given his history of playing through stuff, it’s probably safe to assume he’ll be on the field for the semifinal.
France has now reached the semifinals for three straight World Cups. That’s a run of consistency that only a few national teams have ever managed. They’ve scored 16 goals in this tournament and conceded two. Mbappe has eight of those goals himself. The numbers are video game level.
They’ll face the winner of Spain vs. Belgium on July 14 at 3 p.m. ET. Both potential opponents present different problems. Spain has the possession game and young talent. Belgium has the veteran core and, frankly, a chip on their shoulder after underperforming in previous tournaments. France will be ready for either.
What makes this France team different from the 2018 champions is the balance. That team relied heavily on Mbappe’s explosiveness and a rock-solid defense. This team has more interchangeable parts. Guys like Dembele, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga give France a midfield that can control tempo or hit you on the break. The defense has been stingy without being flashy. And Mbappe is playing at a level that feels almost unfair.
He’s not wrong about the potential part. Whether this team actually wins the whole thing will determine if they get remembered like the 1998 or 2018 squads. But Mbappe’s confidence suggests he already knows the answer.
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