France traveled to North America looking to make three successive World Cup finals, and seeking a second victory during that time. They’re on the right track having won all three of their group matches en route to the knockout stages.
This will be the last tournament under Didier Deschamps, and it’s the fourth time in as many World Cups that France have finished top of their group. They did it pretty routinely too, beating Senegal 3-1 in their opening game. Les Bleus built on that with a 3-0 victory over Iraq, securing a spot in the knockout stages after two games. The final group match brought a battle for top spot, and France beat a rotated Norway 3-1 to take the honours.
Get all the latest France stats as the tournament unfolds, plus the latest squad, manager and fixture information for the European side here.
France World Cup 2026 route to the final
France are one of the teams still waiting to find out who they’ll face in the last-32. They’ll be up against one of the best third-placed sides, from Group D, F or G depending on who qualifies. That will take place at 10pm (UK time) on 30th June. Things get immediately harder from there, with a last-16 clash against either Germany or another third-placed side on 4th July. France’s potential quarter-final will take place on 9th July, before a semi-final on 14th July. All routes point to the World Cup Final on 19th July.
READ MORE: Get the latest France World Cup 2026 outright odds here
France World Cup 2026 stats
France key players for World Cup 2026
Where to start? Didier Deschamps has an assortment of riches at his disposal. There’s a real competition for places all over the park, particularly in attack, where France boast some of the best players on the planet. Below, we run through a quartet of the country’s players who will be looking to sparkle in North America.
Kylian Mbappe
- Key stat: Kylian Mbappe has scored 16 goals in 17 World Cup matches, reaching the final in both editions he has played in.
France captain Kylian Mbappe has an incredible World Cup record. He has accumulated 21 goals involvements in 17 matches (16 goals and five assists), including a stunning hat-trick in the 2022 final. He has already matched Miroslav Klose for World Cup goals, and would co-hold the record were it not for Lionel Messi. Mbappe has already become France’s all-time leading goalscorer, and their top scorer at World Cups, overtaking Olivier Giroud and Just Fontaine, respectively.
Ousmane Dembele
- Key stat: Ousmane Dembele scored 35 goals and 14 assists in 53 games when winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Ousmane Dembele was a worthy Ballon d’Or winner last year after a sensational campaign. In that season, he played a pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France triumphs.
The early part of the current season was hampered by hamstring and calf injuries. But the PSG forward will be targeting a strong end of the campaign as he looks to rediscover the dazzling form that earned him football’s most prestigious individual award.
Michael Olise
- Key stat: Michael Olise registered 15 goals and 19 assists in 32 Bundesliga games last season.
Michael Olise is brimming with talent and a delight to watch, combining vision, creativity, and composure on the ball. Since his move from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich, he has propelled his game to new heights and has become one of his country’s most important players, who is poised to make a major impact in North America. He’s already done just that, regsitering an assist in France’s opener against Senegal.
William Saliba
- Key stat: Saliba played only 27 minutes at the last World Cup but is sure to play a more prominent part in 2026.
Didier Deschamps faces a crucial decision at centre-back, with William Saliba, Ibrahima Konaté, and Dayot Upamecano all competing for the two central defensive spots. Saliba is world-class and has impressed consistently for Arsenal in recent seasons. He started alongside Upamecano in the opening match.
STAND-OUT STAT: France have scored 30 goals across the last two World Cups – that’s five more than any other team and the first time a team has scored 30 or more goals across two consecutive tournaments since Brazil in 1970 and 1974.
France set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Kylian Mbappe
- Free kicks: Michael Olise
- Corners: Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele
France tactical analysis
France team stats (average per game at World Cup 2026):
- Corners: 5.0
- Shots on target: 7.33
- Shots on target conceded: 2.0
- Offsides: 1.33
By now, we know Didier Deschamps’ modus operandi at major tournaments well. He’ll look to keep things compact and structured with a defensive-minded double pivot while allowing the supreme talent of his attacking stars to shine.
And to say that this frontline is blessed with talent would be an understatement. Kylian Mbappe, a hat-trick scorer in the last World Cup final, will likely lead the line. Behind him we could see the exciting PSG duo of Desire Doue and his Ballon d’Or winning team-mate Ousmane Dembele as well as Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, fresh from a magnificent campaign in the Bundesliga.
It’s hard to argue that this France side isn’t the strongest in the tournament to be honest. With a Mbappe’s Real Madrid teammates Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga may be the preferred midfield duo, while Premier League winning centre back William Saliba will marshal the backline.
The fact that young stars like Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery will likely have to settle for places on the bench tells you everything about the quality of this squad. But can they put it all together again on the big stage?
Get the latest France World Cup goals, shots, tackle, assist stats are more here.
France manager analysis
Didier Deschamps has been at the helm of France since 2012, making him one of the longest-serving national team managers in the 21st century. He is one of only three men to have won the World Cup as both a player (1998) and a manager (2018), and could become only the second coach to lift the trophy twice as a manager (after Vittorio Pozzo for italy in 1934 & 1938).
Under Deschamps, France have also won the 2021 Nations League, reached the 2016 European Championship final, finished runners-up at the 2022 World Cup, and most recently were eliminated by eventual winners Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
The veteran coach brings immense experience and will be aiming to finish his France tenure on a high by leading his team to a third World Cup triumph. Deschamps is well-respected, but he often draws criticism for his pragmatic approach, with France notably struggling for goals at Euro 2024 despite their waves of attacking talent.
Looking ahead, Deschamps faces major selection headaches across the squad, with world-class depth from defence to midfield to attack.
| Coach | Team | P | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Didier Deschamps | France | 181 | 118 | 332 | 31 | 65.19% |
France World Cup FAQs
Have France ever won the World Cup?
France have won the World Cup on two occasions. Their first success was on home soil in 1998, then 20 years later they won for a second time in Russia 2018.
Where did France finish at the last World Cup?
France finished as runners-up to Argentina at Qatar 2022. The teams played out a thrilling 3-3 draw, before Argentina came out on top on penalties.
Who will be France captain at the World Cup?
France are captained by Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe.
Who is France’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups?
Kylian Mbappe became France’s record goalscorer overall and at World Cups, now sitting on 16 goals at the tournament.
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