France World Cup 2026 squad: Lineup and tactics for Morocco

France are the favourites to win World Cup 2026 after grinding out a 1-0 win over Paraguay in the Round of 16, with Kylian Mbappé converting a second-half penalty to settle a tie that France ultimately controlled without ever fully cutting loose. Les Bleus have netted 14 goals in five games and remain the most complete side left in the tournament.

There were concerns within French football about whether Didier Deschamps’ pragmatism would get in the way of the obvious flair and creativity of the squad after the Euro 2024 campaign delivered few moments of excitement. So far, so good. Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise have been an absolute joy to watch!

Mbappé now has seven tournament goals – level with Erling Haaland and one behind Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings. Ousmane Dembélé has four, with his remarkable tournament form – having never previously scored a tournament goal before this summer – still very much intact. If Les Bleus continue to perform at this level, it is hard to see anyone stopping them from winning a third World Cup.

Check out our latest World Cup match betting tips and predictions ahead of today’s games

France World Cup 2026 squad and predicted lineup: key takeaways

• France’s attacking depth is their biggest structural advantage, with Deschamps able to rotate between Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki in the playmaking trio.
• Mbappé now has seven tournament goals and 19 across his World Cup career. He has underlined once again that when France need a decisive moment, he provides it – his calm penalty against Paraguay was exactly that. He will be crucial against a Morocco side that knows how to frustrate the very best.
• Deschamps sent on Doué in the 60th minute against Paraguay, and within four minutes the forward had driven at defenders, drawn a foul and won the decisive penalty. He is a weapon off the bench that Morocco will have to account for.

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, but this France side are the polar opposite to that which was grinding out results at Euro 2024.

The star player: Kylian Mbappé

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

Mbappé’s goalscoring numbers have been exactly as you’d expect, however, and he has a proven track record of performing at a very high level for the French national team. 

For all the talent available to Deschamps, Mbappé remains the main man in the France World Cup lineup – and he has underlined that with his performances so far. You’d expect him to be the one to deliver if and when France become desperate for a goal against top tier opposition.

France 2026 World Cup confirmed 26-man squad

How France lined up against Paraguay

Deschamps kept faith with the same starting eleven that dismantled Sweden, with Doué coming on as the game’s decisive substitute rather than from the start.

Cherki made an appearance off the bench 14 minutes after France’s first goal, a change that underlined the extraordinary attacking depth available to Deschamps.

Morocco beat Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16 and are now making their second-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance – the first African side to do so twice. Their leading forward, Ismael Saibari, is a doubt after picking up a knock against Canada, which is the biggest selection question Deschamps will be monitoring ahead of Wednesday.

France beat Morocco 2-0 in the 2022 World Cup semi-final and have the individual quality to do so again, but will need to be more cutting than they were against Paraguay.

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.

Mbappé is the standout pick in the anytime goalscorer market and has the added motivation of chasing Messi in the Golden Boot standings. His calm penalty against Paraguay showed he has his shooting boots on when it matters.

Doué is an interesting value option given his impact as a substitute – if Morocco sit deep and France need to open them up, Deschamps will turn to him.

Aurélien Tchouaméni remains the most relevant France player for the cards market, as a holding midfielder tasked with breaking up play.”

Is there a chance of France winning the World Cup?

There is not just a chance, the latest World Cup odds view France as the team to beat. They’re 15/8 to lift the trophy at the vast majority of bookies, having climbed ahead of Spain since the tournament got underway.

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 remains absent after suffering an achilles injury that ruled him out before the tournament. No new injury concerns have emerged from the Paraguay game, and Deschamps has a fully fit squad available for Morocco.

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, making France one of the more intriguing sides to follow in our World Cup betting predictions – their starting XI contains a healthy mix of youth and experience

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About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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