France advances to semifinals
The France national team has secured a spot in the semifinals of the FIFA 2026 World Cup after a 2-0 victory over Morocco. This win continues their strong performance in the tournament, where they have been described as a dominant force.
Many consider France to be the top team in this World Cup, and their current form suggests they could be one of the strongest international teams ever. This level of performance is not new for the squad, as they won the World Cup in 2018 and were runners-up in 2022, losing to Argentina.
The team’s strength is evident across all positions. Some observers suggest that the only way France might lose is if they falter themselves. While the chances are slim, teams like Argentina, Spain, and England are considered potential challengers on a favorable day. Norway is also mentioned as a team that could potentially cause an upset.
Squad features top club talent
The 2026 France World Cup squad entered the tournament with high expectations, featuring players from some of the world’s leading club teams. The roster includes notable names such as Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise.
The 26-player squad represents a variety of club teams across different leagues. A majority of the players, eight in total, play for clubs in the French Ligue 1. The English Premier League is represented by six players, while both the Italian Serie A and Spanish LaLiga each contribute three players. Two players come from the German Bundesliga, and one each from the Saudi Pro League and Turkish Süper Lig.
Paris Saint-Germain is the most represented club, with five players on the France World Cup squad. Real Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, and Crystal Palace each have two players on the team, while other represented clubs contribute one player each.
Key players to watch during France’s tournament run include Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, Jules Koundé, N’Golo Kanté, Désiré Doué, and Marcus Thuram.
Tournament journey and expectations
France was placed in Group I for the tournament, alongside Senegal, Norway, and Iraq. Their group stage matches included:
- June 16: France vs Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium
- June 22: France vs Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium
- June 26: France vs Norway at Boston Stadium
Following the group stage, France progressed through the knockout rounds. They faced Sweden on June 30 at New York New Jersey Stadium and Paraguay on July 4 at Philadelphia Stadium. Their quarterfinal match against Morocco took place on July 9 at Boston Stadium.
The French national team holds strong odds to win the World Cup, tied with Spain. They are also tied for the second-best odds to advance past the group stage. With a strong squad, they were expected to perform well in their initial matches, despite potential challenges from teams like Norway and Senegal.
Historically, France has won the World Cup twice, in 1998 and 2014, and finished as runners-up twice, in 2006 and 2022. They also secured third place twice, in 1958 and 1986. The team’s last group stage exit was in the 2010 tournament.
With a roster of experienced players, many of whom have either won the competition or played in the final, the current France squad carries high expectations for the 2026 World Cup.
The team is hoping for a successful run that could lead to a third star being added to their crest.
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Source: bavarianfootballworks.com
