France World Cup squad: Predicted lineup for 2026

May 11, 2026 - 13:30

France are one of the favourites to win World Cup 2026, but their starting XI for the tournament is not yet settled. There is a debate within French football about whether Didier Deschamps’ pragmatism or the new blood of emerging players should take precedence.

Deschamps has long had a preference for defensive balance, but there is a clamour among the public for the inclusion in the France World Cup squad of the sort of creative flair provided by Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche.

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

France’s June 16 opener at 3:00 PM at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey favours players with elite recovery metrics like Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.

Our predictions for the France World Cup squad

Right-Back – Jules Kounde
Left-Back – Lucas Digne
Central Defensive Midfielder – Adrien Rabiot
Left-Winger – Desire Doue

Bet on the open positions in France’s starting 11 at Betway

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.

Prediction for Head Coach

Deschamps is renowned for his “safety first” tactics on which he will likely double down. The long-serving France coach will prioritise a physical mid-block to bulletproof his legacy before the Zidane era begins.

The star player: Kylian Mbappé

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

Mbappe’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, Mbappe remains the main man in the France World Cup lineup – and that is unlikely to change once the competition is under way.

Prediction for Star Player

Mbappe suffered a hamstring injury on April 27, sparking fear in France that he could miss part of the World Cup. However, he will return for Real Madrid before the end of the season, paving the way for him to start for his country this summer.

Even so, Deschamps will still be keen to manage his load ahead of the knockout phase.

France starting 11 vs. Senegal predictions

Position	Expert selection	Selection status	The punter strategy
Goalkeeper	Mike Maignan	LOCKED IN	Elite penalty-saver. Authoritative in modern transition play.
Right-Back	Jules Kounde	UP FOR GRABS	A centre-back by trade, but with plenty of experience at right-back.
Centre-Back	William Saliba	LOCKED IN	A dominant defender for France and Arsenal. Strong in the air and quick across the ground.
Centre-Back	Dayot Upamecano	LOCKED IN	His speed helps him play in a high line. Good on the ball for his size.
Left-Back	Lucas Digne	UP FOR GRABS	Natural left-footer at left-back. Not nailed on to start.
Central Defensive Midfielder	Aurelien Tchouameni	LOCKED IN	France’s first-choice central midfielder. Contributes in all phases.
Central Defensive Midfielder	Adrien Rabiot	UP FOR GRABS	A favourite of Didier Deschamps for years. Not the only option.
Right-Winger	Ousmane Dembele	LOCKED IN	The Ballon d’Or holder operates as a right-winger for France. A guaranteed pick.
Central Attacking Midfielder	Michael Olise	LOCKED IN	A right-winger at Bayern Munich, but players centrally for his country.
Left-Winger	Desire Doue	UP FOR GRABS	A precocious young talent, but the most vulnerable attacker in the XI.
Striker	Kylian Mbappe	LOCKED IN	France’s talisman and captain is the first name on the France team sheet.

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

Another individual player market worth watching is cards. Aurelien Tchouameni is a strong French contender here, with the central midfielder tasked with breaking up play in the heart of the field.

Do not forget VAR insurance, which could be essential for Theo Hernandez’s late overlapping runs which often flirt with the offside line.

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 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 Desire Doue have burst onto the international scene since that tournament two years ago. France’s starting XI contains a healthy mix of youth and experience.

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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