France
France (FRA) have been drawn in Group I for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Senegal, Iraq, Norway. Head coach Didier Deschamps leads the squad. Ranked #2 by FIFA, the team have made 16 World Cup appearance(s) and won the tournament 2 time(s). Their opening match is on June 16 against Senegal at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Didier Deschamps
FRDidier Claude Deschamps (French: [didje klod deʃɑ̃]; born 15 October 1968), popularly known as Dédé ([dede]), is a French professional football manager and former player who has been head coach of the France national team since 2012. Nicknamed "the water-carrier" (French: le porteur d'eau), Deschamps was an intelligent and hard-working defensive midfielder, who excelled at winning back possession and subsequently starting attacking plays, and also stood out for his leadership throughout his career. After Franz Beckenbauer and followed by Iker Casillas, he was only the second captain in the history of football to have lifted the Champions League trophy, the World Cup trophy, and the European Championship trophy. As a manager, Deschamps began his career with Monaco, and helped the club to win the Coupe de la Ligue in 2003, and reached the 2004 UEFA Champions League final, being named Ligue 1 Manager of the Year in 2004. He played as a defensive midfielder for several clubs, in France, Italy, England and Spain, namely Marseille, Juventus, Chelsea and Valencia, as well as Nantes and Bordeaux. Nicknamed "the water-carrier" (French: le porteur d'eau), Deschamps was an intelligent and hard-working defensive midfielder, who excelled at winning back possession and subsequently starting attacking plays, and also stood out for his leadership throughout his career.
- 2018 FIFA World Cup Champion
- 2022 FIFA World Cup Runner-up
- 2020 UEFA Nations League Champion
- +6 more
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GK AC Milan goalkeeper and France's first choice. Currently plying his trade at AC Milan, a commanding presence between the posts, Mike Maignan is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for France. Has earned 20 international caps. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
GK Lens goalkeeper and backup for France. Currently plying his trade at Stade Rennais, a commanding presence between the posts, Brice Samba is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for France. Has earned 5 international caps, an emerging talent on the international stage. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
GK Currently plying his trade at RC Lens, a commanding presence between the posts, Robin Risser is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for France. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at RC Lens, a commanding presence between the posts, Robin Risser is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for France. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
DF Arsenal centre-back and a new pillar of France's defence. Currently plying his trade at Arsenal, a dependable defender, William Saliba combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Has earned 25 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
DF Bayern Munich centre-back and a regular in France's defence. Currently plying his trade at Bayern Munich, a dependable defender, Dayot Upamecano combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Has earned 35 international caps. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
DF Barcelona defender and a versatile presence in France's backline. Currently plying his trade at Barcelona, a dependable defender, Jules Koundé combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Has earned 40 international caps, scoring 2 goals. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
DF Liverpool centre-back and an important rotation option in France's defence. Currently plying his trade at Liverpool, a dependable defender, Ibrahima Konaté combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Has earned 20 international caps. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
DF AC Milan left-back and France's attacking fullback. Currently plying his trade at Al Hilal, a dependable defender, Theo Hernández combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Has earned 40 international caps, scoring 4 goals. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
DF Currently plying his trade at Aston Villa, a dependable defender, Lucas Digne combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Aston Villa, a dependable defender, Lucas Digne combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
DF Currently plying his trade at PSG, a dependable defender, Lucas Hernandez combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at PSG, a dependable defender, Lucas Hernandez combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
DF Currently plying his trade at Chelsea, a dependable defender, Malo Gusto combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Chelsea, a dependable defender, Malo Gusto combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
DF Currently plying his trade at Crystal Palace, a dependable defender, Maxence Lacroix combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Crystal Palace, a dependable defender, Maxence Lacroix combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of France's backline. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
MF Real Madrid defensive midfielder and the engine of France's midfield. Currently plying his trade at Real Madrid, an industrious midfielder, Aurélien Tchouaméni excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for France. Has earned 45 international caps, scoring 3 goals, building significant international experience. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
MF Al-Ittihad midfielder and a core member of France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad. Currently plying his trade at Fenerbahce, an industrious midfielder, N'Golo Kanté excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for France. Has earned 56 international caps, scoring 2 goals, building significant international experience. Born in 1991, the 35-year-old veteran continues to compete at the highest level, bringing invaluable experience and professionalism. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
MF Marseille midfielder and an experienced figure in France's midfield. Currently plying his trade at AC Milan, an industrious midfielder, Adrien Rabiot excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for France. Has earned 50 international caps, scoring 5 goals, building significant international experience. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
MF Currently plying his trade at AS Roma, an industrious midfielder, Manu Kone excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for France. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at AS Roma, an industrious midfielder, Manu Kone excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for France. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
MF Currently plying his trade at PSG, an industrious midfielder, Warren Zaire-Emery excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for France. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at PSG, an industrious midfielder, Warren Zaire-Emery excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for France. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
FW Real Madrid forward, 2018 World Cup champion, and one of the fastest players in the modern game. Currently plying his trade at Real Madrid, a clinical forward, Kylian Mbappé possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Has earned 86 international caps, scoring 48 goals — a remarkable scoring rate. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
FW PSG winger and one of France's fastest attackers. Currently plying his trade at Paris Saint-Germain, a clinical forward, Ousmane Dembélé possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Has earned 55 international caps, scoring 7 goals. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
FW Inter Milan forward and an important option in France's attack. Currently plying his trade at Inter Milan, a clinical forward, Marcus Thuram possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Has earned 30 international caps, scoring 5 goals. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
FW Bayern Munich winger and gold medalist with France at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Currently plying his trade at Bayern Munich, a clinical forward, Michael Olise possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Has earned 15 international caps, scoring 4 goals. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
FW PSG winger and France's emerging attacking talent. Currently plying his trade at Paris Saint-Germain, a clinical forward, Bradley Barcola possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Has earned 15 international caps, scoring 3 goals. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
FW Currently plying his trade at PSG, a clinical forward, Desire Doue possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at PSG, a clinical forward, Desire Doue possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
FW Currently plying his trade at Crystal Palace, a clinical forward, Jean-Philippe Mateta possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Crystal Palace, a clinical forward, Jean-Philippe Mateta possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
FW Currently plying his trade at Monaco, a clinical forward, Maghnes Akliouche possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Monaco, a clinical forward, Maghnes Akliouche possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
FW Currently plying his trade at Manchester City, a clinical forward, Rayan Cherki possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Manchester City, a clinical forward, Rayan Cherki possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as France's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with France at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 16 previous tournament appearances.
GROUP STANDINGS — Group I
GROUP RIVALS — Group I
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FAQ
- What group is France in at the 2026 World Cup?
- France are in Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq, Norway.
- Who is the head coach of France?
- The head coach of France is Didier Deschamps.
- When is France's first World Cup match?
- June 16, 2026 against Senegal at MetLife Stadium.
- What is France's best World Cup finish?
- France's best result is Champion, with 16 total appearances.