France arrives at the 2026 World Cup in North America still riding the high of Paris Saint-Germain winning its second consecutive Champions League title. Now the country wants Les Bleus to bring home another World Cup trophy after lifting it for a second time in Russia in 2018.
France's dangerous attack is enough to wreck any country's game plan during the tournament in North America. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé are the experienced leaders of that unit, with both attackers having helped the squad to back-to-back World Cup Final appearances.
Dembélé, Mbappé, and Olise
Dembélé, the Ballon d'Or holder as best player in the world is in form. He contributed eight goals in 13 matches while securing PSG's Champions League title last month, including a 65th-minute PK that eventually led to a penalty shootout victory.
Mbappé, however, just endured a three-match scoring drought during international friendly tune-up play. Such a drought is unusual for Mbappé, who has scored 56 goals in 98 international appearances.
Yet, Didier Deschamps isn't worried, telling French television network TF1:
I'm not going to worry. It's true he's had several chances, but he hasn't been clinical. He told me he was saving it for the USA, so I'm fine with that,
Perhaps Deschamps isn't concerned about the team's attack as he watches the ascension of Bayern Munich star winger Michael Olise. The 24-year-old enters the tournament netting a hat trick in a 3-1 victory against Northern Ireland on Monday.
That matchup was Dembélé's first international tune-up as he rested in France's 2-1 friendly loss to the Ivory Coast last Thursday following a lengthy Champions League run.
But the attacking trio should be ready to go for France's first World Cup match against Senegal (No. 15 in FIFA's world rankings) at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, June 16. That matchup is expected to be the most competitive draw within Group I.
Group I Schedule and Ranking
Les Bleus will battle against Iraq (No. 56) in Philadelphia on June 22 and Norway (No. 31) at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro on June 26.
A No. 3 ranking suggests France will have no issue advancing to the knockout rounds in this new 48-team format. The high ranking is no surprise as the squad includes players represented in all of Europe's top five clubs.
Club Breakdown
Eight players are from France's Ligue 1:
- GK Brice Samba (Rennes)
- GK Robin Risser (Lens)
- DF Lucas Hernandez (PSG)
- MF Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
- FW Dembélé (PSG)
- FW Bradley Barcola (PSG)
- FW Desire Doue (PSG)
- FW Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco)
Seven players are from England's Premier League:
- DF Lucas Digne (Aston Villa)
- DF William Saliba (Arsenal)
- DF Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
- DF Malo Gusto (Chelsea)
- DF Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)
- FW Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
- FW Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
Full 25-Man Roster
France's complete squad for the tournament:
- Mike Maignan (Milan)
- Brice Samba (Rennes)
- Robin Risser (Lens)
- Lucas Digne (Aston Villa)
- Jules Kounde (Barcelona)
- Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal)
- Lucas Hernandez (PSG)
- Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
- William Saliba (Arsenal)
- Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
- Malo Gusto (Chelsea)
- Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)
- N'Golo Kante (Fenerbahce)
- Adrien Rabiot (Milan)
- Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
- Manu Kone (Roma)
- Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
- Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
- Bradley Barcola (PSG)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
- Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco)
- Desire Doue (PSG)
- Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
Injury Update
For now, Deschamps seems to have every impact player available without any significant injury.
Saliba had been a concern after playing through back pains during Arsenal's Champions League Final loss. The starting defender's injury is being monitored by the medical staff and no risks will be taken, according to an ESPN report.
With the world-class centerback in the lineup, he forms a strong roadblock with Konate to hold opposing attackers at bay. With that, France is equipped with a one-two punch very capable of getting back to the World Cup Final for the third straight time.
