Kylian Mbappe
The captain and the superstar. A scorer in the 2018 and 2022 finals, the Real Madrid forward is the man France's hopes rest on as he chases the title that eluded him in Qatar.
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Team Guide · 2026 World Cup
France at the 2026 World Cup
France arrive as the top-ranked team in the world and one of the two market favourites, chasing a third title and redemption after the agony of the 2022 final. Didier Deschamps has named his last squad as France manager, built around captain Kylian Mbappe and a frighteningly deep talent pool. They are in Group I with Senegal, Norway and Iraq. This is the 26, the omissions of Camavinga and Griezmann, the group, the fixtures and the case for Les Bleus.
2
World Cup Titles
26
The Squad
I
Group
1
FIFA World Ranking
Squad confirmed. Didier Deschamps named France's 26 on 14 May 2026 and has confirmed this will be his final tournament in charge. Kylian Mbappe captains the side for his third World Cup. The headline omissions: Eduardo Camavinga and Antoine Griezmann. France open against Senegal on 16 June at MetLife Stadium.
The Key Players
The spine of Deschamps' France
France's depth is the envy of the tournament. From a world-class goalkeeper to a forward line several teams would build around, these are the players Les Bleus turn on.
Ousmane Dembele
A match-winner in his own right. After a standout spell at Paris Saint-Germain, Dembele gives France pace, trickery and end product on the opposite flank to Mbappe.
Michael Olise
One of the breakout talents of the cycle. The Bayern Munich forward has forced his way into the first-choice attack with goals and creativity from the right.
Aurelien Tchouameni
The midfield anchor. The Real Madrid man shields the back four and starts attacks, the balance point that lets France's forwards take risks.
William Saliba
The defensive cornerstone. Composed and quick, the Arsenal centre-back anchors a back line that also features Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate.
Mike Maignan
One of the best goalkeepers in the world. The AC Milan number one is France's first choice and a commanding presence behind the defence.
The 26
France's squad by position
Here is France's confirmed 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup as named by Didier Deschamps: three goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders and nine forwards. Mbappe is captain. Clubs are shown for the well-established names.
Goalkeepers
3 in the squad
- Mike MaignanAC Milan
- Brice Samba
- Robin Risser
Defenders
9 in the squad
- William SalibaArsenal
- Dayot UpamecanoBayern
- Ibrahima KonatéLiverpool
- Jules KoundéBarcelona
- Théo Hernández
- Lucas Hernández
- Lucas Digne
- Malo Gusto
- Maxence Lacroix
Midfielders
5 in the squad
- Aurélien TchouaméniReal Madrid
- N'Golo Kanté
- Adrien Rabiot
- Manu Koné
- Warren Zaïre-Emery
Forwards
9 in the squad
- Kylian MbappéCaptain
- Ousmane DembéléPSG
- Michael OliseBayern
- Bradley BarcolaPSG
- Marcus ThuramInter
- Rayan Cherki
- Désiré Doué
- Maghnes Akliouche
- Jean-Philippe Mateta
Even this 26 leaves out genuine internationals, the clearest sign of France's strength in depth. Deschamps has leaned on his trusted spine while integrating the next wave of attackers in Cherki, Doue and Akliouche.
Left at Home
The notable omissions
When a squad is this deep, the players left out make headlines. These were the most significant names to miss Deschamps' final 26.
Eduardo Camavinga
The headline omission. Deschamps pointed to a disrupted, injury-hit season and fierce competition in midfield as the reasons the Real Madrid man lost his place.
Antoine Griezmann
A long-time France talisman and World Cup winner in 2018, but the veteran forward misses out as Deschamps turns to a younger attacking group for his final tournament.
Randal Kolo Muani
A 2022 finalist, but a stop-start season on loan cost the striker his place in a forward line that runs deep through Mbappe, Dembele, Olise, Thuram and Mateta.
Group I
The group and the fixtures
France were drawn into Group I with Senegal, Norway and Iraq. Senegal, recent African champions with real depth, are the standout opponent; Norway, built around Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, are dangerous and play France last; Iraq are the outsiders. France play all three group games in the northeastern United States.
France vs Senegal
Tue 16 Jun 2026
France vs Iraq
Mon 22 Jun 2026
Norway vs France
Fri 26 Jun 2026
Kickoff times are confirmed closer to the tournament. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read about the seeds in our guide to the 12 Pot 1 nations, where France sit among the favourites.
Redemption
Can France go one better than 2022?
France lost the 2022 final on penalties after one of the great World Cup finals. In 2026 they arrive as the team to beat:
- Top of the rankings, top of the market. France enter the tournament ranked number one in the world and rated alongside Spain as joint favourites. The talent justifies the billing.
- Mbappe in his prime. Now the captain and the focal point, Mbappe is chasing the trophy that slipped away in Qatar. A fit, in-form Mbappe is as decisive as any player in the draw.
- Depth in every position. France could field two competitive teams. That resilience to injuries and suspensions is exactly what wins long tournaments.
- Deschamps' last stand. The manager has confirmed this is his final tournament after winning in 2018 and reaching the final in 2022. The squad will want to send him out a champion.
- The questions. Balancing so many attacking talents and getting the best from the midfield without Camavinga are the puzzles Deschamps must solve to finish the job.
France have the squad, the ranking and the motivation. Group I should be navigable, and if Mbappe stays fit, Les Bleus will fancy their chances of reaching a third final in a row and finally lifting the trophy again.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Who is France's captain for the 2026 World Cup?
Kylian Mbappe is France's captain for the 2026 World Cup. It is his third World Cup, after scoring in both the 2018 final, which France won, and the 2022 final, which they lost on penalties to Argentina.
Who is France's coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Didier Deschamps is France's head coach for the 2026 World Cup. He named his 26-man squad on 14 May 2026, and has confirmed that this will be his final tournament in charge after a reign that began in 2012 and included the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final.
Why was Camavinga left out of France's 2026 World Cup squad?
Eduardo Camavinga was the headline omission from France's 26. Deschamps cited a disrupted season, injuries and very strong competition in midfield as the reasons the Real Madrid player lost his place.
What group are France in at the 2026 World Cup?
France are in Group I at the 2026 World Cup, alongside Senegal, Norway and Iraq. Senegal and Norway, the latter featuring Erling Haaland, are the main challengers for the knockout places.
What are France's group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup?
France play Senegal on 16 June 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, then Iraq on 22 June at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and finally Norway on 26 June at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Are France the favourites for the 2026 World Cup?
France go into the 2026 World Cup as the top-ranked nation in the FIFA World Ranking and among the leading favourites, rated alongside Spain at the head of the market. They are chasing a third world title after 1998 and 2018.
Who are France's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Kylian Mbappe leads the attack alongside Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. Aurelien Tchouameni anchors the midfield, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano lead the defence, and Mike Maignan is in goal.
When was France's 2026 World Cup squad announced?
Didier Deschamps named France's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on 14 May 2026, with Kylian Mbappe confirmed as captain and Eduardo Camavinga and Antoine Griezmann among the omissions.
How did France qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
France qualified through the UEFA European qualifiers, topping their group unbeaten with five wins and a draw. They sealed their place with a 4-0 home win over Ukraine in November 2025.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
France are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Argentina
The team that beat France in the 2022 final: the defending champions and Messi's title defence in Group J.
Read the Argentina guide ›Brazil
Ancelotti's Brazil, Vinicius Junior and the chase for a record-extending sixth star in Group C.
Read the Brazil guide ›Superstars to Watch
The top 12 players going to the 2026 World Cup, including France's Kylian Mbappe.
View the top 12 ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team.
Open the schedule ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm France's squad, group and fixtures:
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