Few nations enter major tournaments with a stronger mix of proven pedigree and up-and-coming talent than France. Didier Deschamps has spent more than a decade constructing a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, and the depth at his disposal is one of the main reasons why Les Bleus remain one of the favorites in North America.
Mike Maignan provides security in goal, while William Saliba, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano form the backbone of a defense filled with elite-level experience. In midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni continues to grow into one of the most influential players in European football, supported by the steady presence of N’Golo Kante.
The attacking options remain particularly daunting. Kylian Mbappe is the main figure, but he is supported by Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki, ensuring that France possess a range of profiles capable of changing matches in a variety of ways.
Their opening win over Senegal wasn’t flawless, but it did reinforce a familiar theme surrounding Deschamps’ teams. Even when France are not performing at their absolute best, they retain the ability to take control of matches through moments of individual brilliance and collective quality.
