Antoine Griezmann, the 35-year-old former France vice-captain, watched from the stands as *Les Bleus* beat Morocco 2-0 on 9 July 2026 to reach a third consecutive World Cup semi-final. The Orlando City forward has not attended a France match since retiring from international duty in 2024.

What happened in the match?

Kylian Mbappé scored his eighth goal of the tournament to lead France past Morocco in Boston. The 2-0 win booked a semi-final spot for Didier Deschamps' side, who are now chasing back-to-back World Cup titles after winning in 2018 and finishing runners-up in 2022.

Ousmane Dembélé, the other survivor from the 2018 and 2022 squads alongside Mbappé, also started. N'Golo Kanté and Lucas Hernandez, the other two World Cup winners in the squad, missed the tournament through injury.

Why it matters for Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann was the driving force behind France's semi-final win over Morocco in 2022. He played every minute of that tournament and was widely considered Deschamps' most trusted player. But he retired from international football in 2024 after being overlooked for the captaincy.

When Hugo Lloris stepped down after the 2022 World Cup, many expected Griezmann to get the armband. Instead, Deschamps gave it to Mbappé, then 24. Griezmann later admitted being passed over after nearly a decade of service was a bitter pill to swallow.

Three years on, Mbappé has fully embraced the leadership role. The 27-year-old Real Madrid star has been guiding younger players and handling media pressure. His performances have silenced any debate about Deschamps' decision.

What comes next for France?

France will play in the semi-final later this week, aiming to reach a second consecutive World Cup final. Mbappé has urged humility, saying this team has potential but hasn't won anything yet.

"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. "This is a team we can dream with, although the best teams are those who win."

Griezmann's presence in the stands shows he still follows the team closely. But his international career is over. The 35-year-old is now focused on his club career with Orlando City in MLS.

For France, the focus is on the semi-final. For Griezmann, it's watching from afar as the team he once led chases glory without him.