Mbappé’s Captaincy Silences the Doubters as France Cruise Past Morocco
Kylian Mbappé continued his remarkable World Cup 2026 campaign as France beat Morocco 2-0 to book their place in a third successive semi-final. The Real Madrid forward scored the opening goal — his eighth of the tournament — as Les Bleus put on another composed, dominant display, taking his all-time World Cup record to an extraordinary 20 goals in 20 matches.
According to The Guardian, the result carries a particular narrative weight given who was watching from the stands: Antoine Griezmann, the man who played a pivotal role in France’s 2022 semi-final victory over the same opponents. The 35-year-old, now playing for Orlando City following his retirement from international duty in 2024, had not attended a France match since stepping away from the national team.
The backdrop to Mbappé’s emergence as captain is worth revisiting. When Hugo Lloris stepped aside after Qatar 2022, many assumed Griezmann — Deschamps’ most trusted lieutenant for the best part of a decade — would inherit the armband. Instead, the head coach handed it to the then 24-year-old Mbappé, a decision that sparked genuine national debate. Griezmann later admitted publicly that being passed over after so many years of service had stung.
Three years on, that decision looks well-founded. Mbappé has grown into the leadership role with quiet authority, mentoring a younger generation of French players while continuing to deliver on the pitch. Alongside Dembélé, he is one of only two squad members with experience across all three World Cup campaigns.
What stands out in Mbappé’s public comments at this tournament is his deliberate effort to manage expectations — a tone shaped, it seems, by painful experience. He referenced France’s Euro 2020 exit against Switzerland, when a forward line of Mbappé, Griezmann and Benzema — hyped as the envy of world football before a ball was kicked — crashed out in the round of 16.
“I’ve been world champion and I’ve been runner-up, and this team is neither one nor the other,” Mbappé said after the Morocco win. He also stressed that awareness of a squad’s potential means little without results: “We still have to prove ourselves before being called invincible.”
That measured mindset appears to be filtering through to the squad. As France head to Dallas and their World Cup 2026 hub semi-final, Les Bleus look like genuine contenders — but Mbappé seems determined no one in that dressing room takes anything for granted. You can follow the live standings as the tournament heads into its final stages.
For UK bettors, France’s consistency across three tournaments makes them among the most reliable long-term tournament picks in world football — but Mbappé’s own words are a reminder that form on the day still matters more than reputation.