France World Cup 2026 Squad: Final 26-Player List & Semifinal Update
The France World Cup 2026 Squad has delivered everything it promised. Didier Deschamps named his final 26-player list on May 14, 2026, skipping a preliminary selection, and Les Bleus have since won all six matches in North America to reach the semifinals.
Captain Kylian Mbappé arrived one goal behind Olivier Giroud’s national record of 57. He broke it in the opening match and now owns 64 France goals, leading the Golden Boot race with eight at this tournament.
Deschamps confirmed in January 2025 that this is his final tournament in charge, and his farewell is on script: Group I winners with nine points, three clean sheets in the knockout rounds, and a semifinal against Spain in Dallas on Tuesday, July 14.
Eduardo Camavinga and Randal Kolo Muani remain the notable omissions from a 26-man roster that has needed no injury replacements.
France Quick Facts:
- Country: France
- Confederation: UEFA
- Nickname: Les Bleus
- Head Coach: Didier Deschamps
- Captain: Kylian Mbappé
- Group: Group I winners (9 points)
- Current Stage: Semifinal vs Spain, July 14, 2026, Dallas Stadium, 3:00 PM ET
- Tournament Record: 6 wins in 6 matches, 16 goals scored, 2 conceded
- FIFA Ranking: 1st (as of April 1, 2026)
- World Cup Appearance: 17th
- World Cup Titles: 2 (1998, 2018)
- Kit Manufacturer: Nike
France World Cup 2026 Squad List: The Final 26
Goalkeepers
- Mike Maignan, 31, AC Milan (Italy)
- Brice Samba, 32, Stade Rennais (France)
- Robin Risser, 21, RC Lens (France)
Defenders
- Dayot Upamecano, 27, Bayern Munich (Germany)
- William Saliba, 25, Arsenal (England)
- Ibrahima Konaté, 27, Liverpool (England)
- Lucas Hernandez, 30, Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Malo Gusto, 23, Chelsea (England)
- Jules Koundé, 27, Barcelona (Spain)
- Lucas Digne, 32, Aston Villa (England)
- Theo Hernandez, 28, Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
- Maxence Lacroix, 26, Crystal Palace (England)
Midfielders
- Adrien Rabiot, 31, AC Milan (Italy)
- Aurélien Tchouaméni, 26, Real Madrid (Spain)
- N’Golo Kanté, 35, Fenerbahce (Turkey)
- Manu Koné, 24, Roma (Italy)
- Warren Zaïre-Emery, 20, Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Forwards
- Kylian Mbappé (C), 27, Real Madrid (Spain)
- Ousmane Dembélé, 29, Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Michael Olise, 24, Bayern Munich (Germany)
- Rayan Cherki, 22, Manchester City (England)
- Désiré Doué, 21, Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Bradley Barcola, 23, Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Marcus Thuram, 28, Inter Milan (Italy)
- Maghnes Akliouche, 24, Monaco (France)
- Jean-Philippe Mateta, 28, Crystal Palace (England)
The squad spans 15 years, from Robin Risser at 21 to N’Golo Kanté at 35. Paris Saint-Germain supply five players and seven come from the Premier League. Deschamps has not needed a single change, and the same 26 names have carried France through six straight wins.
France World Cup 2026 Results: Road to the Semifinal
France topped Group I with a perfect nine points, then kept clean sheets in all three knockout rounds. Here is the full record so far.
| Date | Stage | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 16 | Group I | France vs Senegal | 3-1 |
| June 22 | Group I | France vs Iraq | 3-0 |
| June 26 | Group I | Norway vs France | 1-4 |
| June 30 | Round of 32 | France vs Sweden | 3-0 |
| July 4 | Round of 16 | Paraguay vs France | 0-1 |
| July 9 | Quarterfinal | France vs Morocco | 2-0 |
| July 14 | Semifinal | France vs Spain | 3:00 PM ET |
Michael Olise inspired the second-half surge against Senegal in the opener, Ousmane Dembélé hit a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Norway, and Mbappé has scored in every knockout round so far.
France vs Spain Semifinal: Latest Update
France meet Spain at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, kicking off at 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM local, 9:00 PM CEST). The winner faces England or Argentina, who meet in Atlanta on July 15, in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
Aurélien Tchouaméni is pushing to return from the thigh injury that kept him out of the Round of 16 and quarterfinal, while Manu Koné was withdrawn against Morocco only as a precaution and is expected to start. Mbappé took an ankle knock against Morocco but declared himself “completely fine,” and no France players are suspended.
Spain arrive unbeaten and at full strength, with Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino fit again, after eliminating Austria (3-0), Portugal (1-0) and Belgium (2-1), and Lamine Yamal’s side won the last two meetings by a single goal each: 5-4 in the 2025 Nations League semifinal and 2-1 at Euro 2024. Opta’s model gives France a 42.1% chance of winning inside 90 minutes.
Manager: Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps, 57, has managed France since July 2012 and is the longest-serving coach in the nation’s history. As a player he won 103 caps and captained the 1998 World Cup-winning side; as a manager he lifted the 2018 title in Russia and lost the 2022 final to Argentina on penalties.
This is now his third consecutive World Cup semifinal, in his confirmed final tournament before Zinedine Zidane takes over. Two more wins would make Deschamps only the second coach in history, after Vittorio Pozzo, to win the World Cup twice.
Star Player: Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé is having the tournament of his life. The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward passed Olivier Giroud’s all-time France record of 57 in the opening win over Senegal and has pushed his tally to 64 international goals in 102 caps. His eight goals lead the 2026 Golden Boot race, and his 20 career World Cup goals long ago eclipsed Just Fontaine’s France record of 13.
Along the way, Mbappé has become the all-time leader in World Cup knockout-stage goals, equalled Hugo Lloris’ France record of 20 World Cup appearances, and become the first player with 11+ goal contributions at two separate World Cups.
He has scored in every knockout round in 2026, and he already knows how to deliver on the biggest stage, having netted in both the 2018 and 2022 finals.
Key Players to Watch
Ousmane Dembélé
Dembélé, 29, has been the perfect co-star to Mbappé with five goals, including the hat-trick against Norway and the second goal in the quarterfinal win over Morocco. His direct running from the right gives France a second outlet that no opponent has contained yet.
Michael Olise
The Bayern Munich playmaker, 24, sparked the decisive second half against Senegal and has settled in as France’s creative hub between the lines. His quick feet, set-piece delivery and one-on-one ability make him the most likely matchwinner on nights when Mbappé is crowded out.
Warren Zaïre-Emery
The 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is the youngest player in the squad at his first major tournament. With Tchouaméni’s fitness in doubt, his pressing, recoveries and forward drive give Deschamps a genuine option in a midfield carrying only five specialists.
Qualification Path & World Cup History
France cruised through UEFA Qualifying Group D against Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan: five wins and a draw from six matches, 16 goals scored and four conceded, qualifying directly as group winners.
This is France’s 17th World Cup, a run that began at the inaugural 1930 tournament. Les Bleus have won it twice, in 1998 at home against Brazil and in 2018 in Russia against Croatia, and also reached the finals of 2006 and 2022. Including the six wins in 2026, their all-time World Cup record stands at 45 wins, 14 draws and 20 defeats from 79 matches.
What to Expect & Our Prediction
France have looked like the complete tournament team: 16 goals at one end, two conceded at the other, with Saliba and Upamecano dominant and Maignan barely tested since the group stage. Spain are the first true 50-50 fixture. They won the last two meetings by a single goal each, and their midfield control is the one problem France haven’t yet faced in North America.
Arsene Wenger called France the “super favourite” before the tournament, and nothing in six matches has contradicted him. If Tchouaméni is fit enough to anchor midfield, we back France to edge Spain and reach a third consecutive final. This prediction reflects the opinion of WCW Staff and not a guaranteed outcome.
France World Cup 2026 Squad FAQs
When is France’s World Cup 2026 semifinal?
France play Spain in the first semifinal on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, kicking off at 3:00 PM ET (9:00 PM CEST). The winner meets England or Argentina in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
How many goals has Kylian Mbappé scored at the 2026 World Cup?
Mbappé has scored eight goals, leading the Golden Boot standings, and has found the net in every knockout round. His career World Cup tally now stands at 20 goals in 20 appearances for France.
Is Kylian Mbappé now France’s all-time top scorer?
Yes. Mbappé passed Olivier Giroud’s record of 57 goals during the 3-1 win over Senegal on June 16, 2026, and has since moved on to 64 international goals. He has also broken Just Fontaine’s France record of 13 World Cup goals.
What are France’s results at the 2026 World Cup so far?
France have won all six matches: 3-1 vs Senegal, 3-0 vs Iraq and 4-1 vs Norway in Group I, followed by 3-0 vs Sweden in the Round of 32, 1-0 vs Paraguay in the Round of 16 and 2-0 vs Morocco in the quarterfinal.
Who are the notable absences from the France squad?
Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid is the biggest surprise omission, with limited playing time and injury setbacks cited. Randal Kolo Muani also missed out, with Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta earning the final forward spot instead.
Is this Didier Deschamps’ last tournament as France manager?
Yes. Deschamps confirmed in January 2025 that he would step down after the 2026 World Cup, and Zinedine Zidane has agreed to take over as head coach. Reaching the semifinal means his farewell tournament is still alive for the perfect ending.
The France World Cup 2026 Squad is now 90 minutes from a third consecutive final, powered by the record-breaking form of Kylian Mbappé and steered by a coach chasing the perfect farewell. Beat Spain in Dallas on July 14, and Les Bleus will stand one win from a third star above the badge.
