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France World Cup 2026: Schedule, Squad, and Key Details for Les Bleus

After clinching the World Cup title in 2018 and finishing as runners-up in 2022, France remains a top contender heading into the 2026 tournament. Under the guidance of veteran coach Didier Deschamps, who led the team to back-to-back finals in Russia and Qatar, Les Bleus aim to capture another trophy on North American soil. With Kylian Mbappe at the forefront, France boasts one of the most skilled squads in the competition, having secured first place in their qualification group.

Group and Match Schedule

Drawn into Group I, France will face Senegal, Norway, and the winner of the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff 2 qualifier, Iraq.

France's 2026 World Cup Match Dates and Venues

  • June 16, 3 p.m. ET: France vs. Senegal at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
  • June 22, 5 p.m. ET: France vs. Iraq at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
  • June 26, 3 p.m. ET: Norway vs. France at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough

Broadcast Information

In the United States, Fox will air the matches in English, with streaming options available through Fubo, which offers a free trial. International viewers can catch games via TSN and Amazon Prime in Canada; BBC, ITV, and STV in the UK; SBS in Australia; and Unite8 Sports and Zee5 in India.

Historical Performance and Rankings

France has participated in every World Cup since 1998, topping their group in the last three tournaments. They currently hold two World Cup titles (1998 and 2018) and have finished second twice (2006 and 2022). As of April 2026, France is ranked number one in the FIFA World Rankings.

Recent Group Standings Examples

Team Overview and Key Players

Didier Deschamps has been at the helm since 2012, achieving significant success including the 2018 World Cup win and the 2021 UEFA Nations League title. His record stands at 114 wins, 35 losses, and 29 draws. Deschamps also captained the 1998 World Cup-winning squad.

Kylian Mbappe leads the attack and remains one of the best players worldwide, having scored in two consecutive World Cup finals and holding a record for most goals in final matches. Other important contributors include Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Desire Doue.

Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1 Formation)

  • Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
  • Defenders: Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez
  • Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni
  • Attacking Midfielders: Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe
  • Forward: Marcus Thuram

Strengths

  • Depth across all positions offers Deschamps various tactical options.
  • Solid defense allowing minimal chances against opponents.
  • Mbappe’s world-class talent provides a clear offensive edge.

Concerns

  • Heavy reliance on Mbappe's contributions could be risky if he is contained.
  • The offense needs additional scoring beyond its star to secure victories.

Qualification Path and World Cup Record

France topped UEFA Group D with 16 points from six matches, finishing well ahead of Ukraine. Their all-time World Cup record includes 39 wins, 14 draws, and 20 losses over 73 games. They have scored 136 goals and conceded 85 throughout their tournament history.

Odds and Expectations for 2026

Betting odds place France as strong contenders, with +450 to win the World Cup and +650 to reach the final. They are favored to advance far beyond the group stage, reflecting confidence in their talented roster.

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