In our World Cup preview series, we assess each of the tournament favourites featuring Barcelona stars, examining their key strengths and predicting how far they can go in the competition. Previously we covered Brazil, Netherlands and Spain.
France head into the 2026 World Cup as one of the leading favourites, and their recent record suggests they have every reason to believe another title is within reach. World champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, Les Bleus have established themselves as the benchmark for consistency on football's biggest stage.
Their attacking depth is arguably unmatched. Even France's second-string forward line would compare favourably with many starting attacks at the tournament. The likes of Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé and former Barcelona winger and reigning Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembélé provide a blend of pace, creativity and finishing ability capable of overwhelming any defence.
The challenge for Didier Deschamps is not talent, but balance. His final mission before stepping down as France manager will be to mould a squad overflowing with attacking stars into a cohesive unit, one that is just as committed without the ball as it is devastating with it. If he succeeds, France will take some stopping.
Kounde likely to be the main right-back
Jules Koundé enters the tournament in a strong position to retain France's right-back spot despite competition from Malo Gusto. While the Chelsea defender offers greater attacking thrust, questions remain over his defensive reliability, making it difficult to see Didier Deschamps overlooking Koundé's consistency and experience on the biggest stage.
Gusto's forward runs and creativity certainly provide an alternative option, but Koundé's established role within the squad could prove decisive. His understanding with key attackers such as Michael Olise and Désiré Doué on the right flank, built over years in the national setup, is likely to work in his favour as France look to strike the right balance between defensive solidity and attacking threat.
Attacking talent and depth is considered the best
France's embarrassment of riches in attack is almost unfair. Dembélé, Mbappé, Olise, Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola are all capable of starting, yet there is only room for three or four of them in the XI. Add Marcus Thuram, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maghnes Akliouche to the equation, and Les Bleus possess a frightening combination of goals, pace and creativity that few nations can match.
The PSG trio arrive full of confidence after back-to-back Champions League triumphs, making a compelling case for prominent roles. Yet it remains difficult to imagine Mbappé spending much time on the bench given his status as France's “general”.
Fortunately for France, the quality does not stop in attack. Their midfield is packed with technical ability and athleticism, while the defence combines experience with depth. The question is not whether France have enough talent to win the World Cup, but whether that talent can be moulded into a cohesive, selfless unit capable of navigating the pressures of a month-long tournament. If Deschamps finds that balance, France could be the team to beat.
Tough group but expected to win
Group I looks set to be one of the most competitive groups at the 2026 World Cup. France are clear favourites thanks to their extraordinary depth and attacking talent, and anything other than top spot would be a surprise.
The battle for second place is likely to be fascinating, with Senegal and Norway both possessing enough quality to reach the knockout stages. Senegal's experience and athleticism make them dangerous, while Norway can rely on the firepower of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. Iraq are the outsiders but could still have a say in the group standings, if they can cause one or two upsets.
Date | Fixture |
|---|---|
Tuesday 16 June, 20:00UTC | France vs Senegal |
Monday 22 June, 22:00 UTC | France vs Iraq |
Friday 26 June, 20:00 UTC | France vs Norway |
The knockout rounds
Winning the group would hand France a Round of 32 clash against one of the best third-placed teams, a tie they would be expected to navigate comfortably. The challenge could intensify in the following round, where a meeting with Germany, widely tipped to top Group E, may await in what would be one of the standout fixtures of the knockout stage.
Finishing second could actually present a more favourable route on paper. That path would likely see France take on either Ecuador or Ivory Coast, two dangerous but less daunting opponents than Germany. With the bottom half of the bracket viewed by many as the smoother road to the final, the group standings could have a major impact on Les Bleus' chances of lifting the trophy.
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