World Cup 2026: France chase third title as Didier Deschamps and Kylian Mbappé lead new challenge

France return to the World Cup determined to transform the disappointment of their defeat in the 2022 final into a successful bid for a third global title, with Les Bleus once again among the leading contenders for football’s biggest prize.

Four years after narrowly missing out on retaining the trophy in Qatar, the French national team arrives at the 2026 tournament carrying high expectations and one of the most feared attacking units in international football.

With Kylian Mbappé captaining the side and Didier Deschamps preparing for his final tournament in charge, France enter the competition aiming to add a third World Cup triumph to those secured in 1998 and 2018.

The team’s credentials were reinforced by an impressive qualifying campaign in which they secured their place at the tournament with authority.

France officially booked their ticket to the World Cup on 13 November 2025 during the fifth round of matches in European qualifying Group D.

A commanding 4-0 victory over Ukraine at the Parc des Princes confirmed qualification, with captain Mbappé scoring twice to take his international tally to 54 and 55 goals.

That performance was emblematic of a campaign in which France rarely looked troubled.

Les Bleus completed all six qualifying matches without suffering a defeat.

Iceland proved the only side capable of taking points from Deschamps’ team after a 2-2 draw in Reykjavik.

Elsewhere, France demonstrated both attacking quality and defensive stability.

The team finished with the strongest attack in the group, scoring 16 goals, while also boasting the most effective defence after conceding only four times.

Much of that success was built around the influence of Mbappé, who ended the qualifying campaign as France’s leading scorer with five goals.

Support also came from Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who each contributed two goals.

A number of other players also made their mark during qualification.

Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Hugo Ekitike, Christopher Nkunku, Adrien Rabiot and Florian Thauvin each found the net as France demonstrated the depth of attacking options available to the coaching staff.

That attacking strength remains one of the team’s greatest assets heading into the tournament.

From a tactical perspective, Deschamps is expected to continue with a 4-2-3-1 system that combines defensive discipline with rapid transitions into attack.

The formation allows France to maximise the pace and creativity of its forward players while maintaining a structure designed to limit opportunities for opponents.

The attacking quartet available to the coach offers considerable firepower.

With players such as Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Marcus Thuram available in advanced positions, France possess a forward line capable of causing problems for any defence in the competition.

However, questions remain in other areas of the squad.

Some supporters have expressed concerns about the midfield, particularly when comparing the current group with the generation that helped France win the World Cup in 2018.

There is also the challenge of expectation.

Having reached the final in both 2018 and 2022, France arrive at the tournament carrying the pressure that comes with sustained success.

Replicating those achievements while attempting to go one step further represents a significant challenge.

History, however, suggests France are accustomed to competing at the highest level.

The nation first appeared at a World Cup in 1930 but exited during the group stage.

Since then, France has become one of the competition’s most successful teams.

The 2026 edition will mark the country’s 17th appearance at the tournament and extend a run of eight consecutive qualifications.

France has lifted the trophy twice, winning on home soil in 1998 before claiming a second title in Russia in 2018.

The team also finished as runners-up in 2006 and again in 2022.

Across 73 World Cup matches, France has recorded 39 victories, 14 draws and 20 defeats, scoring 136 goals and conceding 85.

The tournament also marks the closing chapter of an era under Deschamps.

The coach is set to step down after the World Cup, ending a 14-year spell in charge of the national team.

His place in football history is already secure.

Alongside Mario Zagallo of Brazil and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, Deschamps belongs to the exclusive group of figures who have won the World Cup both as a player and as a coach.

A strong run in 2026 could add another remarkable achievement to his record.

Having guided France to the final in 2018 and 2022, he could become the first coach to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.

At the centre of France’s ambitions stands Mbappé.

Now 27, the Real Madrid forward is widely regarded as the team’s most influential player and remains the leading figure in France’s pursuit of another world title.

Already a World Cup winner, Mbappé enters the tournament at a stage of his career when experience and talent combine, making him the focal point of French hopes.

France begin their campaign against Senegal on 16 June before facing Iraq on 22 June.

Their final group-stage fixture will come against Norway on 26 June.

Those matches will determine whether Les Bleus can begin another deep World Cup run and move closer to their objective of lifting the trophy for a third time.

France squad list 2026

Goalkeepers

• Mike Maignan
• Robin Risser
• Brice Samba

Defenders

• Lucas Digne
• Malo Gusto
• Lucas Hernandez
• Theo Hernandez
• Ibrahima Konate
• Jules Kounde
• Maxence Lacroix
• William Saliba
• Dayot Upamecano

Midfielders

• N’Golo Kante
• Manu Kone
• Adrien Rabiot
• Aurelien Tchouameni
• Warren Zaire-Emery

Forwards

• Maghnes Akliouche
• Bradley Barcola
• Rayan Cherki
• Ousmane Dembele
• Desire Doue
• Jean-Philippe Mateta
• Kylian Mbappe
• Michael Olise
• Marcus Thuram