France World Cup squad: Predicted lineup for 2026

France are one of the favourites to win World Cup 2026, but what with head coach Didier Deschamps being spoilt for choice at several positions, their starting XI for the tournament is not yet settled.

There is a debate within French football about whether Deschamps’ pragmatism or the new blood of emerging players should take precedence. 

Deschamps – famously nicknamed “the water carrier” in his playing days as a holding midfielder – has long had a preference for defensive balance, with many of France’s creative players failing to make much of an impact at Euro 2024. After calling up mavericks like Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche to his squad this time around, however, French fans will be hoping to see a more expressive Les Bleus, playing with more freedom, this summer.

France will likely use a 4-2-3-1 formation with a powerful pivot of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot in central midfield as the structural core designed to survive the North American heat.

France’s June 16 opener at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will also favour players elite athletes like Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise.

Didier Deschamps’ last dance

Didier Deschamps has already confirmed that he will step down after the World Cup following a successful 14-year spell in charge of his country.

Deschamps will be desperate to add another major trophy to France’s collection before he departs the scene, having previously guided les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018.

Zinedine Zidane is in line to replace him. The France legend has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

Deschamps is renowned for his “safety first” tactics and he likely won’t change tack now. The long-serving France coach will prioritise a physical mid-block, making his team difficult to break down, allowing the flair players to focus on working their magic at the other end.

The star player: Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé is one of the best footballers on the planet, but he will arrive at the World Cup under pressure to deliver after two trophyless seasons with Real Madrid.

Mbappé’s move to Spain has not worked out yet, but he has a proven track record of performing at a high level for the France national team. 

For all the talent available to Deschamps, Mbappé remains the main man in the France World Cup lineup – and that is unlikely to change once the competition is under way, despite a brief fear that he could miss part of the tournament with a hamstring injury picked up in April. He returned for Real’s final league games, however, scoring against Athletic Bilbao.

With that in mind, Deschamps may look to manage his load ahead of the knockout phase – he’ll have plenty of other weapons at his disposal until then, which we dive into below.

France 2026 World Cup confirmed 26-man squad

France starting 11 vs Senegal predictions

With those 26 players having been named, here is how we believe France may line up against Senegal in their opening game:

How to bet on the France world cup squad

There are specific betting markets relevant to the France starting XI for World Cup 2026. One of the most popular is the anytime goalscorer market.

Kylian Mbappé is the favourite given his immense record in front of goal, while Ousmane Dembélé is an appealing pick for last goalscorer due to his late-game explosiveness.

Another individual player market worth watching is cards. Aurélien Tchouaméni is a strong French contender here, with the central midfielder tasked with breaking up play in the heart of the field – which can lead to the odd foul.

FAQ about the 2026 France World Cup squad

1. How many times have France won the World Cup?

France have won the World Cup twice in the competition’s 96-year history. Their maiden triumph came in 1998, when les Bleus lifted the trophy as the host nation.

They added a second star to their jerseys in 2018, beating Croatia in the final in Russia. France have also been runners-up twice, in 2006 and 2022.

2. Which players are injured and missing from the starting 11?

Hugo Ekitike suffered an achilles injury in April, ruling the attacker out of the World Cup. That is a huge blow to the Liverpool man, who was in the mix for a starting spot.

There are no other major issues at present, but that could change before France play their first match in North America on June 16.

3. Are there any changes to France’s usual starting 11?

The France starting 11 has undergone changes since Euro 2024. Antoine Griezmann has retired from international football and Randal Kolo Muani’s form has dipped.

Former Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise and Désiré Doué have burst onto the international scene since that tournament two years ago. France’s starting XI contains a healthy mix of youth and experience.

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