France

France will be seeking another standout campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having reached the final in each of the last two editions.

After a heartbreaking semi-final exit at the 2024 UEFA European Championship, Les Bleus are gearing up for their first World Cup appearance in North America.

Read on as we offer a comprehensive guide to France at the World Cup this summer.

France at the 2026 World Cup

• Group: I
• Manager: Didier Deschamps
• Captain: Kylian Mbappe
• Best finish: Winners (1998 & 2018)
• Next match: France vs Senegal

France will share the stage with Senegal (FIFA-ranked 14th), Norway (31st) and Iraq (57th) in a highly competitive Group I.

Anything other than Les Bleus’ progression as group winners would be a major upset, as the two-time world champions head into the tournament as one of the top favourites to win the trophy.

However, Senegal’s recent Africa Cup of Nations exploits demand respect, while Norway arrive with a flawless qualifying record, having put Italy to the sword twice in the process.

There’s a universe where Iraq could make life miserable for the other three teams, but we’re not quite living in it.

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France Squad

Player	Club	Position	Age	Caps	Goals
Brice Samba	Rennes	Goalkeeper	32	4	0
Mike Maignan	AC Milan	Goalkeeper	30	38	0
Robin Risser	Lens	Goalkeeper	21	0	0
Malo Gusto	Chelsea	Defender	23	9	0
Lucas Digne	Aston Villa	Defender	32	56	0
Dayot Upamecano	Bayern Munich	Defender	27	36	2
Jules Kounde	Barcelona	Defender	27	46	0
Ibrahima Konate	Liverpool	Defender	27	27	0
William Saliba	Arsenal	Defender	25	31	0
Theo Hernandez	Al-Hilal	Defender	28	42	2
Lucas Hernandez	Paris Saint-Germain	Defender	30	41	0
Maxence Lacroix	Crystal Palace	Defender	26	2	0
Manu Kone	Roma	Midfielder	25	12	0
Aurelien Tchouameni	Real Madrid	Midfielder	26	44	3
N’Golo Kante	Fenerbahce	Midfielder	35	67	2
Adrien Rabiot	AC Milan	Midfielder	31	57	7
Warren Zaire-Emery	Paris Saint-Germain	Midfielder	20	10	1
Ousmane Dembele	Paris Saint-Germain	Forward	29	58	7
Marcus Thuram	Inter Milan	Forward	28	33	3
Kylian Mbappe	Real Madrid	Forward	27	96	56
Michael Olise	Bayern Munich	Forward	24	15	4
Bradley Barcola	Paris Saint-Germain	Forward	23	18	3
Desire Doue	Paris Saint-Germain	Forward	20	6	2
Jean-Philippe Mateta	Crystal Palace	Forward	28	3	2
Rayan Cherki	Manchester City	Forward	22	5	1
Maghnes Akliouche	Monaco	Forward	24	7	1

Strongest XI / Predicted Line-up

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France Manager

Didier Deschamps took charge of France in 2012, when they were at their lowest point, having failed to progress from the 2010 World Cup group stage before suffering a quarter-final elimination at Euro 2012.

The 57-year-old has turned Les Bleus’ fortunes around during his 14-year tenure, becoming one of the most long-serving and successful managers in international football.

Upon lifting the trophy at ‘Russia 2018,’ Deschamps became only the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager, but he failed to lead France to consecutive titles in 2022.

Nonetheless, this will be his farewell tournament in charge of the European powerhouse, and there’s no doubt that he will be keen to bow out in style.

Tournament Stats

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Route to the Final

If France win their group:

• Round of 32: Tuesday, June 30: France vs Third-placed Group C/D/F/G/H
• Round of 16: Saturday, July 4: France vs Group A/B runners-up
• Quarter-final: Thursday, July 9: France vs Brazil
• Semi-final: Tuesday, July 14: France vs Argentina
• Final: Sunday, July 19: France vs Spain

If France are group runners-up:

• Round of 32: Tuesday, June 30: France vs Group E runners-up
• Round of 16: Sunday, July 5: France vs Group C winner/Group F runners-up
• Quarter-final: Saturday, July 11: France vs Belgium
• Semi-final: Wednesday, July 15: France vs France
• Final: Sunday, July 19: France vs Argentina

Key Players

Mike Maignan

There’s a reason why fans and pundits in Serie A call him ‘Magic Mike.’ Maignan has been a rare shining light for AC Milan these past few years, cementing his reputation as one of the world’s most reliable goalkeepers.

After playing second fiddle to Hugo Lloris at ‘Qatar 2022,’ the 30-year-old will be under the spotlight this summer, as Les Bleus bid to make history in North America.

William Saliba

With Dayot Upamecano and Jules Kounde performing in patches, all eyes will be on the Arsenal centre-back, who has enjoyed another sterling Premier League season.

Like Maignan, he played a marginal role at the last World Cup, but Deschamps now trusts him to fill Raphael Varane’s shoes and step up as the leader of France’s defence.

Michael Olise

Based on everything he has shown for Bayern Munich in 2025/26, this could be a memorable World Cup debut for Olise, who has tallied a jaw-dropping 22 goals and 30 assists in all competitions this season.

The former Crystal Palace winger has established himself as one of the most enjoyable players to watch, combining creativity, vision and end product to devastating effect.

Ousmane Dembele

Another essential component of France’s star-studded frontline, Dembele could enter the tournament as a back-to-back Champions League winner, depending on Paris Saint-Germain’s result in the upcoming final.

Known for his quick feet, ambidexterity, and blistering pace, Dembele remains one of the most unpredictable and dangerous forwards in world football, capable of unsettling any defence on his day.

Kylian Mbappe

Vying for Olivier Giroud’s record, France’s second-best goalscorer will have to put another disappointing club season with Real Madrid behind him if he’s to help Les Bleus make another deep run in the tournament.

Despite his eye-catching numbers, Mbappe has endured another trophyless season at the Santiago Bernabeu, but he must overcome any frustrations at club level as France gun for the throne.

France Match Hub

World Cup live streams
World Cup all-time top scorers
World Cup host stadiums & cities

France World Cup History

After winning the 1998 and 2018 World Cups, France can become only the fifth nation to lift the most prestigious international trophy at least three times, after Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina.

France failed to qualify for the only previous World Cup edition held in the United States back in 1994. However, this will be their eighth consecutive appearance since that failure.

Curiously, Les Bleus also missed out on qualifying for the 1970 tournament, staged in Mexico, meaning this will be their debut World Cup on North American soil.

They ought to be in a buoyant mood despite a runner-up finish in Qatar four years ago, looking to become the first-ever country to reach the final three times in a row.

Year	Round	P	W	D	L	F	A
1930	Group stage	3	1	0	2	4	3
1934	Round of 16	1	0	0	1	2	3
1938	Quarter-finals	2	1	0	1	4	4
1950	Did not qualify
1954	Group stage	2	1	0	1	3	3
1958	Third place	6	4	0	2	23	15
1962	Did not qualify
1966	Group stage	3	0	1	2	2	5
1970	Did not qualify
1974	Did not qualify
1978	Group stage	3	1	0	2	5	5
1982	Fourth place	7	3	2	2	16	12
1986	Third place	7	4	2	1	12	6
1990	Did not qualify
1994	Did not qualify
1998	Champions	7	6	1	0	15	2
2002	Group stage	3	0	1	2	0	3
2006	Runners-up	7	4	3	0	9	3
2010	Group stage	3	0	1	2	1	4
2014	Quarter-finals	5	3	1	1	10	3
2018	Champions	7	6	1	0	14	6
2022	Champions	7	5	1	1	16	8

FAQs

Has France won the World Cup?

Yes. France won the World Cup twice. They first lifted the trophy on home soil in 1998 before reclaiming the crown in 2018.

Who is the France manager?

Didier Deschamps. He has led France to back-to-back World Cup finals.

How did France fare in the last World Cup?

England reached the final in 2022. Argentina beat them on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Who has made the most appearances for France?

Hugo Lloris. He won 145 caps from 2008 to 2022.

Who has scored the most goals for France?

Olivier Giroud has scored 57 goals in 137 appearances.