Predicted XI: How will France line up at the FIFA World Cup 2026
France has been touted by many as the favourite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having reached the final twice in a row. The noise surrounding the French national team makes absolute sense, given the number of world-class players at Didier Deschamps' disposal.
Having too many superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Ballon d’Or favourite Ousmane Dembele, and young talents like Michael Olise, Ryan Cherki, and Désiré Doué in the attack on one team will always be a nightmare for any team coming against them. However, it can also be the team’s undoing if the manager doesn’t have the pedigree to manage such an elite team.
Didier Deschamps has proved over the years that it is within his control to manage such a pool of talent, having managed the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté, Antoine Griezmann, and Olivier Giroud to the 2018 FIFA World Cup glory without any dressing unrest.
Setting up his best team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will not be as easy as it was in the past, but there’s always room for adjustments as Les Bleus advance to the latter stages of the tournament. Below are some of the players we think will make the Frenchman’s first-team cut.
Predicted XI: How will France line up at the FIFA World Cup 2026
We took a look at the players within Didier Deschamps' reach, and based on the players’ current performances for their respective clubs, we can predict how France will lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mike Maignan - Goalkeeper
The 29-year-old shot-stopper is expected to start in goal for France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the retirement of Hugo Lloris, who helped Les Bleus win the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In the 2023/24 season, Maignan assisted Inter Milan in winning the Serie A title, and he remained steadfast in goal as the Blue and Blacks team finished as runners-up in both the Serie A and the UEFA Champions League in the recently concluded season (2024/25). His ability to play from the back without any pressure whatsoever and stop shots from close and far range makes him a valuable asset in Didier Deschamps’ squad.
Jules Kounde - Right-back
The Barcelona fullback significantly contributed to the Catalans' victory in the 2024/25 La Liga tournament and played a pivotal role in Barca's complete dominance over Real Madrid, winning all four meetings. He is quick, comfortable on the ball, and helps in transition. The former Sevilla player may be a natural centre-back, but his contributions at right-back for Barcelona in recent seasons make him a proper candidate to start ahead of the likes of Kalulu, Benjamin Pavard, and Malo Gusto in the right-back position.
Ibrahima Konate - Centre-back
Didier Deschamps is a big fan of Konate’s qualities. The former RB Leipzig defender played a huge role in helping Liverpool win the 2024/25 Premier League title. His ability to turn defence into attack with one sublime long ball makes him a better candidate than any other defender under Deschamps’ watch. Aside from being a good passer of the ball, Konate is quick and a no-nonsense defender.
William Saliba - Centre-back
Saliba may be an undroppable figure at Arsenal, but he has somehow failed to impress Didier Deschamps. The France coach has dropped him on many occasions, including Les Bleus’ UEFA Nations League crucial semi-final clash against Spain. The Gunners’ rock has great admirers around the world, with some reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid, but somehow, Deschamps isn’t one of them. However, Saliba is fast, strong, and dominant in both ground and air duels—everything any coach needs in a centre-back—so we expect the French boss to make some adjustments in his view about the 24-year-old ahead of the World Cup.
Theo Hernandez - Left-back
This is an ideal pick for the left-back position. Theo Hernandez is arguably one of the best left-backs there is in the world currently, and starting in France’s national team for the 2026 World Cup shouldn’t raise any eyebrows. His pace and threat in the opposition box make him a valuable asset.
Aurélien Tchouaméni - Midfielder
The Real Madrid midfielder will make the cut, thanks to his versatility. Tchouameni can play as a defensive midfielder or central midfielder and as a centre-back, thanks to his abilities that allow him to be calm with the ball under pressure, make well-timed tackles and give accurate passes. He isn’t a regular starter at Real Madrid by mistake. Didier Deschamps is appreciating his qualities.
Adrien Rabiot - Midfielder
The former Juventus midfielder may not be as talented as Paul Pogba or as tireless as N’Golo Kanté, but he has his own abilities that somehow sit well with Didier Deschamps. The midfielder is a good ball carrier, a good passer of the ball, and doesn’t shy away from his defensive duty. He was part of the France squad at the FIFA 2022 World Cup, so having such an experienced player on the team shouldn’t be a bad call.
Michael Olise - Midfielder
France needs a proper replacement for Antoine Griezmann, who announced his retirement from international football shortly after the Euros. Michael Olise may be a natural right-winger, but he can start behind a standing striker, a position Griezmann played effortlessly for France. This tactical tweak can free up positions in wide areas for other candidates who can not easily do what the Atletico Madrid forward did for the 2018 World Cup winners. Olise is a skilled ball carrier who effortlessly creates goal-scoring chances with his defense-splitting passes. He is quick with the ball at his feet and a threat in the final third, exactly the candidate that can fill in Griezmann’s void.
Ousmane Dembele - Forward
Dembele had his best season in his football career after he helped PSG to the treble, winning the Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France in the recently concluded 2024/25 season, and as a result, he is among the top names gunning for the Ballon d’Or award. Dembele’s pace and the threat inside the opposition box make the former Barcelona attacker, who scored 35 goals and provided 13 assists in 54 games this season, a vital figure in Didier Deschamps’ attack.
Kylian Mbappe - Forward
Mbappe may have missed the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey this season with Real Madrid, but he remains a threat in the final third. Having won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the former PSG forward came close to repeating the same success in 2022. However, his hat-trick of goals in the final was enough to help France drag the final to penalties, but his team-mates let him down, and Argentina won it. The 25-year-old finished as the highest goalscorer in the 2024/25 La Liga season, scoring 31 goals and providing 3 assists in 34 matches. Despite France having an array of brilliant attacking players, Mbappe remains their talisman.
Désiré Doué - Forward
The 20-year-old PSG forward raised many eyebrows after he single-handedly helped the Parisians thrash Inter Milan 5-0 in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final, scoring a brace and providing an assist. Doue is fast and a good dribbler who uses his ability and flair to create chances for his teammates and shooting chances for himself. Having such a threat down the left wing alongside Mbappe through the middle and Dembele at the far right makes France’s attack formidable.
It is important to know that there may be changes to this starting lineup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to injury, fitness, suspension or personal issues. Didier Deschamps will have at least one more season to assemble his squad for the upcoming World Cup.
