NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
There is a strong and almost undoubtable feeling that not only are France a major contender for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title, but Les Bleus are simply the ones to beat.
In the last two tournaments, France have finished as champions (2018) and runners-up (2022) and as Didier Deschamps looks to end his remarkable coaching reign (one of only three coaches to win the World Cup as a player and coach) this summer, his recently announced 26-man squad is more than prepared to win the third title in its history.
But he doesn’t get carried away.
“I have ambition and I want the players to have it too,” Deschamps said at a press conference after making the announcement. “But I don’t want us to lose our humility. I’m not going to hide and say that we are not among the teams with the potential to become world champions… but there are eight, maybe 10 teams that can say that. It’s not by shouting: ‘We are the best, we are the strongest.'”
Here are my takeaways from France’s World Cup squad:
1. Don’t be surprised by those slights
Eduardo Camavinga and Randal Kolo Muani are left behind. (Getty Images)
Deschamp’s level-headedness has made him a successful head coach at the international level, and despite my appreciation for his humility, no matter how you paint it, he knows his team is awfully deep. So much so that some very talented and well-known names failed to make the cut. Will he come back to haunt Deschamps or are the omissions the result of a truly devastatingly dangerous team that needed balance, experience and clinical skill to go the distance? Surely time will tell.
France has such a talented group of players that the nation could have completed two top-level World Cup teams. They definitely raised eyebrows when Eduardo Camavinga and Randal Kolo Muani, two players on the 2022 roster, were left out this time. But there is nothing controversial about Deschamps’ decision to omit these two players, regardless of their past with the national team.
Camavinga was the only outfield player not to start in any of the team’s friendlies against Brazil and Croatia in March. His season with Real Madrid has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances, and you simply cannot afford to have that type of campaign and expect to be part of the French team.
Even more can be said about Kolo Muani, who only has five goals with Tottenham Hotspur (on loan from PSG) and only one in the Premier League, which was in February. With the shame of the rich in the forward line (even without injured Liverpool youngster Hugo Ekitiké), Kolo Muani, being honest with himself, probably saw it coming. They both did it.
2. An opportunity for Kylian Mbappé to reboot
Kylian Mbappé will have to overcome the recent drama. (Getty Images)
Despite individual achievements with Real Madrid (once again leading the La Liga goalscoring table), Kylian Mbappé has had a tumultuous second season with Los Blancos, who once again ceded the league title to Barcelona and failed to deliver a Champions League trophy, a silver medal the French captain has yet to win.
What’s worse, the fans are turning against him. On Thursday night, after returning from injury and coming on as a substitute in the 2-0 win against Real Oviedo, he was booed by his own fans. The reported friction with coach Álvaro Arbeloa (and Xabi Alonso before him) doesn’t help, so this World Cup will likely come at a great time for Mbappé. It’s a chance to hit the reset button and regain his status as the best attacker in the game. He will need to have a strong mentality to help France win a third World Cup title and second.
Who knows, maybe when he returns to Madrid (if?) he will have José Mourinho to welcome him as the new coach! Whether positive or negative, I will leave it in your hands, dear reader. But in terms of France, especially with so many young players, Deschamps will need his leader to be at the top of his game, mentally and physically.
3. N’Golo Kanté brings balance to a dazzling team
N’Golo Kanté brings the experience. (Getty Images)
Historically, France has been recognized for two world-respected exports: the exquisite red wine of the Bordeaux region and N’Golo Kanté. Both improve with age.
We can all marvel at the likes of Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and many other attackers, but France’s success depends mainly on the team’s defensive backbone: from the excellent resilient mind of Arsenal’s William Saliba to Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, the backline will be key.
But I want to recognize the always reliable genius of N’Golo Kanté, who will once again be France’s most important player. Even at 35 years old, he will be key due to his ability to read the game, offer stability and make tactical decisions in vital moments of action. 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 forward line to flourish in the final third. Deschamps, a former defensive midfielder (and one of the best of all time in this position) knows this very well.
And I wouldn’t really worry about Kanté because, as the playwright David Mamet once wrote, “Old age and betrayal will always outweigh 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 World Cup rookies in this team. In total, there are 13 players who have never experienced the biggest sporting event on the world 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 Désiré Doué of PSG in the starting lineup (barring injuries), but the one I’m focusing on is Maignan. He is clearly an experienced stopper with a lot of pedigree, but this is a great opportunity for him. We all know how important Hugo Lloris was for France throughout his career, which is why it is key that the goalkeeper lives up to the moment. Maignan, who was not part of the 2022 squad due to injury, will now make the most of it.
FIFA World Cup 2026: How to watch
The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 104 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34) and each match will be broadcast live and on demand both within the fox one and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream free on tubias well as the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
