France heads to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the strongest contenders. With 16 previous appearances and two titles (1998, 2018), Les Bleus currently top the FIFA rankings.

The squad boasts incredible attacking talent: Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and others. Mbappe scored 42 goals in 44 matches for Real Madrid this season, while Dembele won the Ballon d'Or in 2025.

Coach Didier Deschamps, the only man to win the World Cup as both player and manager, has faced criticism for his pragmatic style. He will step down after the tournament, aiming for a second managerial title.

France faces a tough group: Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. The opener against Senegal is crucial, recalling their shock 2002 defeat.

The defense is solid with William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, and Jules Kounde. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan provides reliability. The biggest surprise in the squad was the omission of Eduardo Camavinga.

Experts predict France will reach the final but may lose to Spain; otherwise, they are likely champions.

Source: www.aljazeera.com