Ahead of their clash with Morocco, former England forward Ian Wright labeled Deschamps’ squad “one of the most clear favorites I’ve witnessed in a World Cup tournament.” Following France’s commanding win in Boston—highlighted by 22 attempts compared to Morocco’s five, with the latter’s sole shot on target arriving in the 83rd minute—Wright maintained his praise for the French side.
“Their weaknesses are hard to identify,” Wright observed. “While Spain might leverage technical quality or the pace of Lamine Yamal to exploit them, France appear unstoppable. Beyond that, their individual brilliance is unmatched.”
France’s attacking depth extends beyond Mbappe and Dembele, featuring Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, Paris St-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Defensively, France has conceded just two goals across six matches—both in lopsided victories over Senegal (3-1) and Norway (4-1), with the latter fielding a largely rotated lineup after securing knockout-stage qualification.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane remarked, “France still have untapped potential. They dominated every facet of the game, yet remain vulnerable. Their attacking players consistently deliver, and their individual talent shines. To defeat France, opponents must score first. Even then, their ability to counterattack ruthlessly makes them formidable.”
