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SoccerFeature
Theo Hernández dreams of World Cup glory
TL;DR
Theo Hernández aims for World Cup glory with France in 2026, hoping to solidify his status as a top left back. France is a favorite to win the tournament, seeking their third title after finishing as runners-up in 2022.
Key points
- Theo Hernández aims for World Cup success with France.
- France is a favorite to win their third World Cup title.
- Hernández is known for his offensive contributions as a left back.
- He scored a crucial goal in the 2022 World Cup semifinals.
- France's first match is against Senegal on June 16, 2026.
Theo HernándezFranceBrazilArgentina
An Undoubted Favorite
When the 2026 World Cup begins, France will be viewed as one of the favorites to win its third. Runners-up four years ago after winning the title in 2018, this generation of French stars hopes to cap off a 12-year run with another trip to the final and lifting the trophy. For Theo Hernández, his opportunity is now. The left back is hoping to become one of the household names from this tournament despite being one of the best at his position in the world. He hasn’t lifted the World Cup trophy, which makes him hungry for even more success this summer.
Creating Chaos Off the Left Flank
Hernández is an attacking left back whose qualities include his speed, dribbling and his ability to be a threat on set pieces. He’s able to provide significant offensive ability on the flank, playing more like a midfielder at times with his ability to go down the field and factor into a scoring chance. He can send pinpoint passes forward and have overlapping runs that can allow him to form dangerous chances. If a team focuses nullifying offensive options, it’s easy to forget him on the wings where he is most lethal. Despite improving in several areas defensively, he still possesses some limitations. He’s not known for going hard into tackles on the defensive end. When he does, he’s been known to be a bit rash. He could be a guy to watch on the yellow card count, though he and others received a reprieve from FIFA recently on yellow card accumulation being reset after the group stage and the quarterfinals. France will need Hernández to be better at on-the-ball defending, which is not his strong suit and not something he has to do in bunches with his current club, Al Hilal. However, with the teams they play that have dangerous options on the wings, Hernández will need to deliver some defensive performances to help the team win.
Q&A
What are Theo Hernández's strengths as a left back?
Theo Hernández is known for his speed, dribbling, and ability to create offensive opportunities, often playing like a midfielder.
When does France play their first match in the 2026 World Cup?
France's first match in the 2026 World Cup is against Senegal on June 16 at 3 p.m. ET.
How did Theo Hernández perform in the 2022 World Cup?
In the 2022 World Cup, Hernández started every match except the final group stage game and scored the opening goal against Morocco in the semifinals.
What challenges does Theo Hernández face in the World Cup?
Hernández needs to improve his on-the-ball defending and avoid rash tackles to support France's defense against strong attacking teams.
