France has reached the final in four of the last seven World Cups, demonstrating a level of sustained dominance that no other nation has achieved in the past three decades. Heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Les Bleus are driven by two primary objectives. First, Didier Deschamps aims to become only the second coach in history, after Italy`s Vittorio Pozzo, to win two World Cups. Second, the team seeks to become only the third nation, following West Germany and Brazil, to reach three consecutive World Cup finals. Having already won the tournament as both a player and a coach in 1998 and 2018 respectively, Deschamps is already a legend. However, with his contract set to expire this summer, this tournament represents the final chapter of his fourteen-year tenure, likely paving the way for Zinedine Zidane.
Despite a lackluster showing in Euro 2024, Deschamps has reorganized the squad with a new, dynamic tactical approach. The inclusion of stars like Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise has transformed France into one of the most balanced and threatening squads in the tournament. According to Transfermarkt, the combined market value of the nine attacking players called up to the squad is approximately 825 million euros. The quartet of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Desire Doue alone are valued at an estimated 530 million euros—a figure exceeding the combined market value of the entire Brazilian attacking unit. This potency is bolstered by a formidable defensive foundation led by William Saliba, who helped restrict opponents to just four goals throughout the qualifying campaign.
Despite the abundance of talent, the French squad faces a recurring structural weakness in the left-back position. Both Lucas Digne and Theo Hernandez prioritize attacking transitions over defensive duties, leaving the flank vulnerable. Furthermore, Lucas Hernandez, usually the most reliable defensive option, has struggled with injuries throughout his career. This tactical imbalance was recently exposed during a warm-up match against Ivory Coast, where France conceded a late goal down that left flank. While the absence of key starters like Saliba in that friendly mitigates the severity of the loss, the match serves as a warning of the structural risks Deschamps must manage.
Kylian Mbappe stands on the verge of individual historical milestones. The Real Madrid forward enters the tournament in excellent form, having scored 42 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions during the 2025-26 season. His 12 World Cup goals are the highest among currently active players, and he requires just four more to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16. Additionally, he is one goal away from matching Olivier Giroud’s record as France’s all-time leading goalscorer with 57 goals. With support from in-form players like Dembele and Olise, who leads Europe`s top five leagues in assists, Mbappe is well-positioned to drive France deep into the tournament.
As the longest-serving coach in the tournament, Deschamps brings unparalleled experience to the dugout. Having narrowly missed out on a second consecutive title in the 2022 final against Argentina, the 57-year-old manager is determined to ensure his final campaign ends in triumph. The team advanced through qualifiers with authority, comfortably topping their group before routing Ukraine 4-0 to secure their place in the tournament. As France prepares for the opening matches, the nation waits to see if this talented squad can overcome their tactical hurdles and bring a third World Cup trophy home to Paris.
