France's World Cup roster for 2026 features Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, as head coach Didier Deschamps prepares for his final tournament. After a strong showing in 2018 and a near victory in 2022, the team aims for glory once again.
Key points
France won the World Cup in 2018
Didier Deschamps is stepping down after the 2026 tournament
Kylian Mbappe scored in the 2018 final
France finished as runners-up in the 2022 World Cup
After winning their second title in 2018 and falling agonisingly short in the 2022 final, France are expected to go deep in this summer's World Cup.
Long-serving head coach Didier Deschamps will step down after a fourth and final World Cup in charge of Les Bleus and has a typically talent-stacked group of players at his disposal.
Kylian Mbappe can leave a turbulent season at Real Madrid behind to enjoy a tournament that always seems to bring the best out of him. The star forward scored in the final victory over Croatia in Russia, while he became the second man in World Cup history to score a final hat-trick before Argentina prevailed on penalties in Qatar.
Q&A
Who are the key players in France's 2026 World Cup roster?
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are highlighted as key players leading France's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
What is Didier Deschamps' role in the 2026 World Cup?
Didier Deschamps is the head coach of France and is set to lead the team in his final World Cup before stepping down.
How did France perform in the previous World Cups?
France won the World Cup in 2018 and finished as runners-up in the 2022 tournament.
What challenges did Kylian Mbappe face before the 2026 World Cup?
Kylian Mbappe had a turbulent season at Real Madrid but is expected to shine in the upcoming World Cup.
Related Articles
Sports·Feature
North Jersey baseball star boosting MLB Draft stock at new position
Passaic Tech's Randis Rosario is raising his MLB Draft profile with strong performances in a new position.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
'The Lord & a seatbelt' saved Myah Epps: On life, basketball following near-fatal crash
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
What Darian DeVries is looking for to finish his second Indiana basketball roster
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Takeaways from Wisconsin men's basketball 2026-27 conference opponents
Yahoo Sports·
Cricket·Transfer
Hardik Pandya to be traded from MI? Mumbai Indians' captain linked with shock move to LSG, KKR or CSK
Hardik Pandya's future with the Mumbai Indians is uncertain as he is linked to potential trades to LSG, KKR, or CSK. His recent performance and social media activity have fueled speculation about his departure.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
A.J. Ewing's electric debut brings jolt for Mets' desperate offense
Teams had until Monday, May 11 to submit to FIFA an official preliminary list of 35-55 players, from which they are required to name a final roster by Saturday, May 30.
Below is a projected roster. The final list of players will be updated below once the announcement is made. Caps and stats are correct as of May 12.
France finished in first place in UEFA Group D, securing their automatic place in the draw in December by beating Slovakia. France had 16 points from six games and a six-point advantage over Ukraine.
France World Cup history
France has won the World Cup twice, first in 1998, then again in 2018.
**World Cups appearances:**16
**Best finish:**Winners (1998, 2018)
All-time goals scored: 136
**All-time goals conceded:**85
All-time record (W-L-D): 39-14-20
Games: 73Â GP (39Â W, 14Â D, 20 L)
Goal differential:Â +51Â (136Â GS, 85 GA)
France World Cup squad analysis
France boast arguably the greatest depth of elite quality of any of the tournament favourites.
Centre-backs William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano are each arguably coming off the seasons of their career at club level.
Veterans N'Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot remain in the frame in midfield alongside Real Madrid duo Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
The attack is without Antoine Griezmann, a majestic talisman of the Deschamps era, who has now retired from international football. However, Mbappe, Michael Olise and Dembele â along with a formidable array of alternative options â will make up the most feared forward line at the World Cup.
Despite a disappointing campaign for Arne Slot's side overall, Ekitike has enjoyed an impressive debut season in England, scoring 17 goals in 45 appearances across competitions.
But a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League brought his season to an abrupt halt and ended his World Cup dream.
At 23, Ekitike's time should come again and France are amply stacked in forward areas.
France players to watch at World Cup
Olisehas been a revelation since joining Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace in 2024, firmly establishing himself as one of the best wingers in world football.
A limp showing in Bayern's second leg loss to PSG in the Champions League semifinals quelled Ballon d'Or talk, but that's nothing a strong World Cup can't fix.
The battle to start as one of France's support attackers is set to be fierce, but Rayan Cherki'soff-the-cuff playmaking talents could provide an important point of difference. At times during his debut season at Manchester City, Cherki has been the most dazzling player in the Premier League.
Deschamps is the longest-serving coach at this summer's World Cup, having taken over almost a quarter if a century ago in 2012. This will be his fourth World Cup at the helm after 2014, 2018 and 2022. He has steered France to the past two finals.
An exemplary defensive midfielder during his playing day, Deschamps captained France to glory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. As such, he is one of his country's most esteemed footballing figures.
Throughout his time in charge of France, Deschamps has invited regular criticism for perceived conservative tactics when he has such an enviable array of attacking players. He would love another major tournament success to end those debates once and for all.
Can France replace players on World Cup roster?
Once the final roster is official, participating teams at the World Cup could only make changes before the first game of the tournament, and only in the case of extraordinary circumstances.
According to the official tournament rules (page 32), "a player listed on the final list may only be replaced in the event of serious injury or illness up until 24 hours before the start of his team's first match."
France World Cup history
France have won the World Cup twice, with Deschamps integral to both successes.
The Juventus midfielder was the Les Bleus captain when they demolished Brazil 3-0 on an emotional night in Paris in 1998. Zinedine Zidane scored twice in the first half before Emmanuel Petit sealed victory.
Twenty years later, Deschamps was the head coach as France beat Croatia 4-2 in Moscow. After an unfortunate Mario Mandzukic own goal (the Croatia striker later scored at the other end following an error from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris), Griezmann scored from the penalty spot. Paul Pogba and Mbappe made sure of glory with fine second-half strikes.
France have also been runners-up on two occasions, suffering penalty shootout defeats to Italy and Argetina in 2006 and 2018 respectively.
Current FIFA World Ranking:Â No. 1Â (March 2026)
World Cup titles:Â 2 (1998, 2018)
World Cup appearances (last):Â 16 (Qatar 2022)
**How France qualified,**W-L-D: UEFA Group D winners, 5-1-0
World Cup record:
Games: 73Â GP (39 W, 14 D, 20Â L)
Goal difference:Â +51Â (136Â GS, 85Â GA)
France World Cup schedule
France, as a Pot 1 team, were drawn into Group I. Their competitors in the group will be Senegal, Iraq and Norway.
