France – World Cup 2026
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 World Cup 2026 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 |
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.
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 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.
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