France enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the one of the favourites, powered by a star-studded front line led by Kylian Mbappe.
Manager Didier Deschamps continues his long, steady tenure by balancing a top class defence, a veteran in midfield and a luxury of options up front.
Les Bleus has no problems in the qualifiers before friendly victories over Brazil and Colombia. Drawn into Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, France are well placed to go deep.
World Cup History
France broke through on home soil to win the World Cup in 1998 before losing the final in 2006. They bounced back to secure glory in Russia in 2018.
Les Bleus backed up by reaching another final in 2022. Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick against Argentina took the final to a penalty shootout where they came up second best.
| Year | Host | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay | Group Stage |
| 1934 | Italy | Round of 16 |
| 1938 | France | Quarter-finals |
| 1954 | Switzerland | Group Stage |
| 1958 | Sweden | Third Place |
| 1966 | England | Group Stage |
| 1978 | Argentina | Group Stage |
| 1982 | Spain | Fourth Place |
| 1986 | Mexico | Third Place |
| 1998 | France | Champions |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Group Stage |
| 2006 | Germany | Runners-up |
| 2010 | South Africa | Group Stage |
| 2014 | Brazil | Quarter-finals |
| 2018 | Russia | Champions |
| 2022 | Qatar | Runners-up |
The Road to 2026 - Formidable Form
France strolled through their UEFA qualifying campaign, finishing well ahead of Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan in Group D. The only slip up came in a 2-2 draw in Reykjavik.
Kylian Mbappe scored five goals in the campaign, three ahead of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise.
Le Bleus won two friendlies in March, defeating Brazil 2-1 before a 3-1 victory against Colombia. Two friendlies were played on home soil in June, a 2-1 defeat against Ivory Coast followed by a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland, Michael Olise hitting a hat-trick.
The Manager - Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps is one three people to win the World Cup as a player and a manager. He is one of the most successful international managers of the modern era.
Having held the reins since 2012, France have reached three of the last five major tournament finals under his leadership.
The 57-year-old is renowned for his pragmatism, defensive stability and proven ability to navigate the physical and mental fatigue in tournament football.
Deschamps has officially announced that he will be stepping down after the World Cup, saying: "It will end there because it has to end at some point.
"It's clear in my mind. I have done my time, with the same desire, the same passion to keep the France team at the highest level, but 2026 is good."
The Squad - World Class Attack
With a formidable central defence including William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and N'Golo Kante acting as a shield, France have the stability to let their forward line shine.
Deschamps has arguably the most explosive attacking arsenal in the world, superstars such as Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe set to play leading roles.
Lucas Hernandez, Kante and Mbappe are the three players to survive from France's 2018 World Cup-winning team. The manager spoke about the absence of Eduardo Camavinga and Randal Kolo Muani who were involved in 2022.
Deschamps said: "I can imagine how disappointed (Camavinga) must be. He's coming off a tough season where he didn't play as much and suffered injuries.
"I've got decisions to make and a squad to put together. It's a squad. Not necessarily the 26 best players. It's about balance and how the team comes together."
| Pos | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Brice Samba | 32 | Rennes |
| GK | Mike Maignan | 30 | Milan |
| GK | Robin Risser | 21 | Lens |
| DF | Malo Gusto | 23 | Chelsea |
| DF | Lucas Digne | 32 | Aston Villa |
| DF | Dayot Upamecano | 27 | Bayern Munich |
| DF | Jules Kounde | 27 | Barcelona |
| DF | Ibrahima Konate | 27 | Liverpool |
| DF | William Saliba | 25 | Arsenal |
| DF | Theo Hernandez | 28 | Al-Hilal |
| DF | Lucas Hernandez | 30 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| DF | Maxence Lacroix | 26 | Crystal Palace |
| MF | Manu Kone | 25 | Roma |
| MF | Aurelien Tchouameni | 26 | Real Madrid |
| MF | N'Golo Kante | 35 | Fenerbahce |
| MF | Adrien Rabiot | 31 | AC Milan |
| MF | Warren Zaire-Emery | 20 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| FW | Ousmane Dembele | 29 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| FW | Marcus Thuram | 28 | Inter Milan |
| FW | Kylian Mbappe | 27 | Real Madrid |
| FW | Michael Olise | 24 | Bayern Munich |
| FW | Bradley Barcola | 23 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| FW | Desire Doue | 21 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| FW | Jean-Philippe Mateta | 28 | Crystal Palace |
| FW | Rayan Cherki | 22 | Manchester City |
| FW | Maghnes Akliouche | 24 | Monaco |
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez; Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni; Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram; Kylian Mbappe
Group I Schedule and Path to the Final
France begin their campaign against a dangerous Senegal side before an easier task against Iraq. Norway have a dangerous team led by Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 16 | Senegal | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| June 22 | Iraq | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| June 26 | Norway | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough |
Topping Group I would place Les Bleus on an simple path to the Round of 16 where Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador are possible opponents.
Netherlands could await in the quarter-finals with Spain a likely adversary in the semi-finals.
2026 World Cup Winner Odds
France enters the tournament as tight second favourites, just behind Spain and narrlowly ahead of England.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain | 5.50 |
| France | 6.00 |
| England | 7.00 |
| Brazil | 9.00 |
| Argentina | 9.00 |
| Portugal | 11.00 |
| Germany | 15.00 |
| Netherlands | 21.00 |
| Norway | 26.00 |
| Belgium | 34.00 |
| Colombia | 34.00 |
| Japan | 51.00 |
| Morocco | 51.00 |
| USA | 67.00 |
| Uruguay | 67.00 |
| Switzerland | 81.00 |
| Mexico | 81.00 |
| Turkey | 81.00 |
| Croatia | 81.00 |
| Ecuador | 101.00 |
| Senegal | 126.00 |
| Sweden | 126.00 |
| Austria | 151.00 |
| Paraguay | 151.00 |
| Canada | 151.00 |
| Scotland | 251.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 251.00 |
| Ivory Coast | 301.00 |
| Egypt | 301.00 |
| Czech Republic | 301.00 |
| Ghana | 401.00 |
| Algeria | 401.00 |
| South Korea | 501.00 |
| Australia | 501.00 |
| Tunisia | 501.00 |
| Iran | 501.00 |
| DR Congo | 751.00 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1001.00 |
| South Africa | 1001.00 |
| New Zealand | 1501.00 |
| Panama | 1501.00 |
| Iraq | 1501.00 |
| Uzbekistan | 1501.00 |
| Qatar | 2001.00 |
| Cape Verde | 2001.00 |
| Jordan | 2501.00 |
| Haiti | 3001.00 |
| Curacao | 3501.00 |
Source:Stake.com and correct on 3 June 2026
Group I - Straight Forecast Betting Odds
France are short-priced favourites to top Group I which brings the straight forecast market into play.
Norway are ranked second in the market, but Senegal have a top quality side that should not be under estimated.
| First/Second | Odds |
|---|---|
| France/Norway |
2.30 |
| France/Senegal |
3.80 |
| Norway/France |
4.75 |
| Senegal/France |
10.00 |
| Norway/Senegal |
12.00 |
| Senegal/Norway |
15.00 |
Source: Bet365 and correct on 3 June 2026
Group I Exact Finish Order Odds
France and Iraq are widely expected to finish top and bottom. The exact finish order market is an interesting one with Norway and Senegal battling it out for second spot.
| 1st/2nd/3rd/4th | Odds |
|---|---|
| France/Norway/Senegal/Iraq |
3.00 |
| France/Senegal/Norway/Iraq |
4.50 |
| Norway/France/Senegal/Iraq |
6.00 |
| France/Norway/Iraq/Senegal |
8.00 |
| Senegal/France/Norway/Iraq |
13.00 |
| France/Senegal/Iraq/Norway |
15.00 |
Source: PaddyPower and correct on 3 June 2026
2026 World Cup To Reach The Final Odds
The reach the final market is topped by Spain and France who are set for a semi-final showdown. There could be value in the bottom half of the draw.
| Teams | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain |
3.25 |
| France |
3.75 |
| England |
4.00 |
| Brazil |
5.00 |
| Argentina |
5.00 |
| Portugal |
5.50 |
| Germany |
6.50 |
| Netherlands |
9.00 |
| Norway |
11.00 |
| Belgium |
15.00 |
| Colombia |
15.00 |
| Switzerland |
21.00 |
| Morocco |
23.00 |
| USA |
23.00 |
| Japan |
23.00 |
| Uruguay |
23.00 |
| Mexico |
26.00 |
| Turkey |
26.00 |
| Croatia |
29.00 |
| Ecuador |
34.00 |
| Sweden |
51.00 |
| Senegal |
51.00 |
| Austria |
51.00 |
| Canada |
51.00 |
| Paraguay |
51.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 3 June 2026
Mbappe Favourite in the Top Goalscorer Market
Kylian Mbappe leads the betting market to retain his Golden Boot crown after top scoring in Qatar, his eight goals one more than Lionel Messi.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe | 7.00 |
| Harry Kane | 8.00 |
| Lionel Messi | 13.00 |
| Erling Haaland | 15.00 |
| Mikel Oyarzabal | 15.00 |
| Lamine Yamal | 17.00 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 21.00 |
| Ousmane Dembele | 21.00 |
| Vinicius Junior | 26.00 |
| Lautaro Martinez | 26.00 |
| Raphinha | 29.00 |
| Julian Alvarez | 34.00 |
| Romelu Lukaku | 34.00 |
| Kai Havertz | 34.00 |
| Nick Woltemade | 34.00 |
| Luis Suarez | 34.00 |
| Igor Thiago | 34.00 |
| Bukayo Saka | 34.00 |
| Ollie Watkins | 34.00 |
| Michael Olise | 41.00 |
| Cody Gakpo | 41.00 |
| Ferran Torres | 41.00 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 41.00 |
| Florian Wirtz | 41.00 |
| Neymar | 41.00 |
| Jude Bellingham | 41.00 |
| Memphis Depay | 51.00 |
| Marcus Thuram | 51.00 |
| Desire Doue | 51.00 |
| Serge Gnabry | 51.00 |
| Enner Valencia | 51.00 |
| Luis Diaz | 51.00 |
| Viktor Gyokeres | 51.00 |
| Dani Olmo | 51.00 |
| Mohamed Salah | 51.00 |
| Morgan Rogers | 51.00 |
| Donyell Malen | 51.00 |
| Nico Williams | 51.00 |
| Goncalo Ramos | 51.00 |
| Marcus Rashford | 51.00 |
| Lois Openda | 67.00 |
| Jamal Musiala | 67.00 |
| Matheus Cunha | 67.00 |
| Leroy Sane | 67.00 |
| Alexander Isak | 67.00 |
| Deniz Undav | 81.00 |
| Alexander Sorloth | 81.00 |