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There is a strong and almost unquestionable feeling that not only are France a major contender for the FIFA 2026 World Cup title, but Les Bleus are simply the ones to beat.
In the last two tournaments, France finished as champions (2018) and runners-up (2022), and as Didier Deschamps looks to end his remarkable managerial spell (one of only three managers to win the World Cup as player and manager) this summer, his newly announced 26-man squad is more than ready to win the third title in its history.
But he doesn’t get carried away.
“I have ambitions and I want the players to have them too,” Deschamps told a press conference after making the announcement. “But I don’t want us to lose our humility. I don’t want to hide and say we’re not among the teams with the potential to be world champions … but there are eight, maybe 10 teams that can say that. It’s not by shouting: ‘We’re the best, we’re the strongest’.”
Here are my takeaways on France’s World Cup squad:
1. Don’t Be Surprised by These Snubs
Eduardo Camavinga and Randal Kolo Muani will remain. (Getty Images)
Deschamps’ indifference has made him a successful manager at international level and, despite my appreciation for his humility, he knows, however he paints it, that his squad is frighteningly deep. So much so that some very talented and well-known names didn’t make the cut. Will it come back to haunt Deschamps, or are the omissions the result of a truly devastatingly dangerous team that needed balance, experience and clinical ability to go all the way? Time will surely tell.
France has such a talented pool of players that the nation could have filled thaw WC team in the best row. Heads were certainly turned when Eduardo Camavinga and Randal Kolo Muani, two players from the 2022 squad, were stopped this time. But there is nothing controversial about Deschamps’ decision to leave out both of these players, regardless of their past with the national team.
Camavinga was the only outfield player not to start any of the team’s friendlies against Brazil and Croatia in March. His season with Real Madrid has been plagued with injuries and inconsistent performances, and you just can’t afford to have those kinds of campaigns and expect to make the French team.
Even more can be said of Kolo Muani, who has just five goals to his name with Tottenham Hotspur (on loan from PSG) and just one in the Premier League, which was back in February. With an embarrassment of riches on the forward line (even without injured Liverpool youngster Hugo Ekitiké), Kolo Muani, if he was honest with himself, probably saw this coming. They both did.
2. A chance for Kylian Mbappé to reset
Kylian Mbappé will have to move past the latest drama. (Getty Images)
Despite individual performances with Real Madrid (leading La Liga’s goalscoring record again), Kylian Mbappé has enjoyed a tumultuous second season with Los Blancos, who once again conceded the league title to Barcelona and failed to deliver a Champions League trophy, a piece of silverware yet to be won by the French captain.
Worse, the fans are turning against him. On Thursday night, after returning from injury to come on as a substitute in a 2-0 win against Real Oviedo, he was jeered by his own supporters. The reported friction with manager Álvaro Arbeloa (and Xabi Alonso before him) doesn’t help, so this World Cup probably comes at a good time for Mbappé. It’s an opportunity to hit the reset button and regain status as the best striker in the game. He will need to have a strong mindset to help France win a third World Cup title and his second.
Who knows, maybe when he returns to Madrid (if?) he will get Jose Mourinho to welcome him as the new coach! Whether it is positive or negative, I will leave that up to you, dear reader. But against France, especially with so many youngsters, Deschamps will need his manager to be at the top of his game – mentally and physically.
3. N’Golo Kanté provides balance to a glittering squad
N’Golo Kanté brings the experience. (Getty Images)
France has historically been known for two respected exports in the world: fine red wine from the Bordeaux region and N’Golo Kanté. Both get better with age.
We can all marvel at the likes of Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and many other strikers, but France’s success depends mainly on the team’s defensive backbone – from Arsenal’s William Saliba’s superbly resilient mind to Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, the backline will be key.
But I would like to acknowledge the ever-reliable brilliance of N’Golo Kanté, who will once again be France’s most important player. Even at 35, he will be key because of his ability to read the game, offer stability and make tactical decisions at key moments. Without him, France would be weaker.
France is at its best when it is strong off the ball, protecting Mike Maignan’s goal and allowing the attacking line to flourish in the final third. Deschamps, a former defensive midfielder (and one of the best ever in this position) knows this all too well.
And I really wouldn’t worry about Kanté, because as playwright David Mamet once wrote, “Old age and treachery will always surpass youth and exuberance.”
4. Will talent compensate for experience?
Mike Maignan takes over in goal for France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
One particular factor to remember is that there are many WC newcomers in this squad. In total, there are 13 players who have never experienced the biggest sporting event on the global stage. The goalkeepers, for example, all three – Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Lens) and Brice Samba (Rennes) – are new to the competition. From Chelsea’s Malo Gusto to Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) and Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), there is obvious talent but no experience.
France will most likely have the aforementioned Olise and PSG’s Désiré Doué in the starting line-up – barring injury – but the one I’m focusing on is Maignan. He’s clearly an experienced stopper with so much pedigree, but this is a big opportunity for him. We all know how important Hugo Lloris was to France throughout his career, so it’s key for the goalkeeper to live up to the moment. Maignan, who did not make the 2022 squad due to injury, will now take full advantage.
2026 FIFA World Cup: How to watch
The WC takes place from June 11-19. July 2026. Split across three countries, the tournament culminates with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches broadcast live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, are televised in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opener between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubeas well as the USA’s opener against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
