Key points to know
- France is in Group I along with Senegal, Iraq and Norway.
- The bookmakers rate the French as one of the main favourites with odds of 4.50 to reach the final.
- Hugo Ekitike will not represent the national team in the 2026 tournament due to injury.
- France won the World Cup title in 2018 and lost to Argentina in the 2022 final.
- Coach Didier Deschamps will retire from the national team after the 2026 tournament.
- The French are currently unbeaten in their last nine matches, winning eight in a row.
Analysis of the France squad: key players, form and injuries
france arrived at the 2022 World Cup with the aim of defending their title. After a spectacular final in which Kylian Mbappe scored three goals, the team only lost to Argentina after a series of penalties. The title defence failed, but in 2026 the French are once again among the main favourites.
In the four years since the final defeat to Argentina, France has played 38 matches and suffered 6 defeats. The team is currently on a nine-match unbeaten run, eight of which have ended in victories. This result shows that the systemic carcass of a winning game has been rebuilt after the Catharine debacle.
For many years now, the French have been distinguished by their abundance of talent in all positions. Such depth allows coach Didier Deschamps to shape the pitch according to the opponent rather than the players available.
Defence and midfield
In the defensive line, Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Ferland Mendy, William Saliba and Wesley Fofana are worth mentioning. The line-up should also include younger talents Malo Gusto, Leny Yoro and Loic Bade to provide both experience and prospective depth.
The midfield situation is similar to the defence – there will be no shortage of options. Didier Deschamps will be able to choose from Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery, Adrien Rabiot and Matteo Guendouzi. The experienced veteran N'Golo Kante, whose defensive work is often decisive in finals, could also be called up.
Attacking forces
France's defence and midfield are very strong, but the biggest talent is in attack. In addition to Kylian Mbappe, the roster includes Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Marcus Thuram, Christopher Nkunku and Bradley Barcola. This abundance of strikers allows us to change tactics during the game and keep the energy up throughout the tournament.
Players who will miss the World Cup
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is now confirmed to miss the 2026 World Cup due to injury. Kylian Mbappe suffered an injury at the end of April and is currently out of action, but the national team leader should make a full recovery. Lucas Chevalier is also injured.
France Group I schedule
france will play in Group I of the 2026 World Cup against Senegal, Norway and Iraq. All three group stage matches will be played in different cities: East Rutherford, Philadelphia and Foxborough.
The table below shows all group stage matches in Lithuanian time (summer GMT+3).
| Matches | Date and time (LT) | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| France – Senegal | 16 June, 22:00 | Ist Razerford |
| France – Iraq | 23 June, 00:00 | Philadelphia |
| France – Norway | 26 June, 22:00 | Foxborough |
All three French games will kick off at a time convenient for Lithuanian viewers, either in the evening or in the first hours of the night. This is one of the most convenient schedules in the whole tournament. Before you place your bet, it is worth checking out the live betting stream, which explains how to read the match and when the prices offer the best value.
French Qualifiers and Latest Tournament Results
The French qualified for the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in their qualifying group. They were up against Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan. They won 5 of their six matches and drew one, scoring 16 points.
After losing the 2022 World Cup final, France reached the semi-finals of EURO 2024, where it lost 1-2 to the future champion Spain. in June 2025, the French lost again to the Spanish, this time in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. However, they managed to beat Germany in the battle for third place.
The full history of the World Cup can be found in FIFA's official tournament archive.
| Tournament | Year | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| World Cup | 1998 | Champions |
| World Cup | 2006 | Vice-Champions |
| World Cup | 2018 | Champions |
| World Cup | 2022 | Vice-Champions |
| EURO | 2000 | Champions |
| EURO | 2016 | Vice-Champions |
| EURO | 2020 | Eight-finals |
| EURO | 2024 | Semi-finals |
Betting perspective and value of odds
France's odds of 6.60 for victory are the second lowest in the tournament after Spain. The bookmakers have set the odds of reaching the final at 4.50. This shows that the market considers the French as real medal contenders, but they are behind the main favourite.
In comparison, Spain has odds of 5.60 to win the 2026 World Cup, while Argentina starts with odds of 9.20 in the 2026 World Cup. France's position between these two teams is statistically interesting, as visa history shows a consistent performance in major tournaments since 2018.
The group stage matches against Senegal, Iraq and Norway are likely to be lopsided duels, so a direct bet on a French victory will offer relatively low odds. In this case, over under betting or a team's individual goal total is often a more profitable option, especially if Kylian Mbappe is in good form before the tournament.
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Highlights about the French national team
The French arrive at the 2022 World Cup with added pressure to defend their title. At the same time, their opponents were even more motivated to beat the champions – the same situation Argentina will face this year. Defending a title is always harder than winning it in the first place, so it's not surprising that France is once again among the favourites, although no longer the favourites.
Looking at recent years, the French have lost the most important duels in major tournaments to Spain, which is the overwhelming favourite for the 2026 World Cup. It is fair to say that France's performance in this tournament will depend a lot on the outcome of the play-off pairing.
Although there are many talented footballers on the roster, France still relies heavily on Kylian Mbappe. The striker is recovering from an injury, so it is unclear in what form he will come into the tournament. The situation is similar for the Spanish national team, where Lamine Yamal is injured.
France's group is not a difficult one and the extra round of play-offs will give the team even more time to find its rhythm before the decisive battles. This is what is expected of the French, whose game usually improves with each match.
Responsible betting during the tournament
The World Cup lasts almost a month and matches are played almost every day. This pace increases the risk of chasing losses or betting just for fun.
Set a deposit limit for the whole tournament before the first match. For practical advice on how to remain disciplined, please refer to the responsible gambling guide.
FAQs about the French team at the 2026 World Cup
By which stage France is predicted to reach
Bookmakers predict the French to reach the final. France currently has the second lowest odds of 6.60 to win the tournament and 4.50 to reach the final.
Which French player will officially miss the World Cup
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is confirmed to miss the 2026 tournament due to injury. Kylian Mbappe is among the injured players, but he should be able to recover and play.
Who are France's opponents in the group stage
France will play in Group I alongside Senegal, Norway and Iraq. This group combination is seen as one of the more comfortable among all the tournament favourites.
Has France won the World Cup
Yes, France has two World Cup titles to its name – in 1998 and 2018. In addition to these, the final has been reached twice: in 2006 and 2022.
Which French players are worth watching
While Kylian Mbappe is the biggest star on the roster, Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba and Michael Olise are also worth mentioning. Warren Zaire-Emery stands out among the young talents.
What are the odds for France to win the World Cup
France starts the tournament with odds of 6.60 to win the World Cup, the second lowest in the tournament. This is less than Argentina's 9.20 but more than Spain's 5.60.
When France's match will take place in Lithuanian time
All three group matches will kick off at a convenient time – 22:00 on 16 and 26 June and 00:00 on 23 June Lithuanian time. This is one of the best schedules for Lithuanian spectators.
