France forwards Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé are unfazed by their potential FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final opponent as Les Bleus’ 2-0 victory over Morocco secured a place in the last four for the third consecutive edition, www.aclsports.com reports.
Mbappé scored and assisted Dembélé as France booked their place in the next round, where they will face either Spain or Belgium. His goal and assist took him to 11 goal involvements at the tournament (eight goals and three assists), making him the first player in 60 years to record 10+ goal involvements in two World Cups.
Despite another milestone, Mbappé insisted France are not looking beyond the next challenge and have no preference over their semi-final opponents.
“It is always special to reach the semi-finals. It is an important step for us as a group. We are very happy to be in the last four once again,” Mbappé said.
“I don’t have a particular opponent in mind. I’m focused on how we recover and prepare for our next match. Whatever happens, it will be a revenge match in the end. If it’s Belgium, they will want revenge. If it’s Spain, we will want revenge.”
Mbappé also dismissed suggestions that this is the strongest France side he has represented.
“I have been a world champion and I have been a World Cup runner-up. This team is neither world champion nor runner-up. It is the team with the most potential, but the strongest teams are the teams that win. Until proven otherwise, I don’t see a golden trophy next to me,” he said.
The France captain admitted the lengthy VAR review before his first-half penalty disrupted his concentration.
“I took it, and he saved it. I didn’t take it well,” he explained.
“The referee first told me it was a penalty, then said there wasn’t one, before another incident from two minutes earlier had to be checked. That’s modern football with VAR and we have to adapt.”
Dembélé’s goal against Morocco was his fifth of the tournament, making France the first team since Brazil in 2002 to have two players score at least five goals at a single World Cup, with Mbappé leading the way on eight goals.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward praised France’s composure against a difficult Moroccan side.
“We knew Morocco would be difficult because they have quality players, but we stayed focused throughout the match. Even after the missed penalty, we remained concentrated,” Dembélé said.
Like his captain, Dembélé has no preference over France’s semi-final opponents.
“We know we’re in the last four of the World Cup and whether it’s Spain or Belgium, they’ll both be formidable opponents.”
He also backed France to improve further as the tournament progresses.
“There are plenty of things we can improve, both defensively and offensively. We can be more clinical, concede fewer goals and press better. The deeper you go into the competition, the more you improve.”
Dembélé reserved his final praise for Mbappé, backing the France captain to continue inspiring Les Bleus’ bid for another World Cup title.
“Kylian is an incredible player. He’s our captain. He’s someone who never doubts himself and has an incredible mentality. We’re very happy for him, but of course we still expect even more goals from Kylian.”
