France World Cup 2026 Preview: Lineup, Best Players, Group, & Picks

France is headed to World Cup 2026, set to compete in Group I, and they’re entering this year’s tournament with a vengeance after finishing as the runners-up in 2022.

Below, we’ll break down France’s projected starting lineup, best players, group outlook, strengths and weaknesses, and top World Cup picks on PrizePicks.

Over on PrizePicks Team Picks, you can make a prediction on how national teams will perform in the 2026 World Cup, including tournament winner, group winner, and knockout-stage advancement markets.

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France Projected Starting Lineup for World Cup 2026

Many countries would love to have just a fraction of France’s attacking options, which is headlined by F Kylian Mbappe, F Michael Olise, F Ousmane Dembele, and F Desire Doue. F Bradley Barcola and F Rayan Cherki are also available for manager Didier Deschamps.

The back line has notable names like DF Dayot Upamecano, DF Ibrahima Konate, and DF Jules Kounde, but the success of the defense could be dependent on the fitness of the team’s best defender: DF William Saliba. Saliba is dealing with a back injury that he sustained near the end of the season with Arsenal.

On a positive note, recent reports suggest that Saliba will be active when France faces Senegal on June 16 for their World Cup opener.

Projected France Formation: 4-2-3-1

• Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
• Defense: Theo Hernandez, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde
• Midfield: Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni
• Forwards: Desire Doue, Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele

The France World Cup XI could change based on form, injuries, and matchup, but France could revolve around the attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Kylian Mbappe.

How France Qualified for World Cup 2026

France qualified for the 2026 World Cup by winning Group D in FIFA World Cup qualifying with a 5-1-0 record.

Deschamps’ side outscored their opponents 16-4 in the qualifying matches, and they were one of eight teams to go unbeaten in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Best Player for France: Kylian Mbappe 

Kylian Mbappe is one of the select few players in this tournament who is likely known by non-football fans. Mbappe is a global icon, and he’s coming off a 2022 World Cup where he won the Golden Boot.

While Mbappe has no shortage of hardware everywhere he’s played, the trophy case since he’s joined Real Madrid hasn’t gotten much bigger over the last two seasons. Despite that being the case, Mbappe has contributed 43 goals in each of the last two years in all competitions for Madrid.

Just this season, Mbappe produced the second-most xG per 90 minutes (0.83) and the most goals scored (25) in La Liga, per FotMob.

On PrizePicks Team Picks, Mbappe has the lowest payout (5.26x) to win the Golden Boot again.

What to Expect From France at the World Cup

FIFA World Ranking: 3

France Best World Cup Result: Champions in 1998 and 2018

Although France has an assortment of attacking options, they can sometimes be a bit conservative under Deschamps. At the same time, Deschamps’ squad has the talent to create chances at will in spurts.

While Les Bleus could send shots at a high clip if they desired, the team is structured and disciplined. 

With Saliba seemingly available to suit up, the midfield is the most glaring weakness for France entering the tourney. Maybe 25-year-old MF Manu Kone and 20-year-old MF Warren Zaire-Emery can provide a spark to the midfield?

France Picks for 2026 World Cup

Here are some France picks on PrizePicks for the 2026 World Cup. Check out more of our soccer picks and predictions on Playbook.

The World Cup payouts listed below indicate real-money earnings if a prediction is correct; for example, a 2x on a $100 entry pays out $200 on PrizePicks Team Picks. Payouts are live as of writing but are subject to change.

France to Win 2026 World Cup

Yes 5.26x | No 1.14x

Only Spain (5x) has a lower payout than France to win the 2026 World Cup.

There are lofty expectations for Les Bleus in this year’s tournament, and that begins with them taking care of business in Group I.

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France to Win World Cup Group I

Yes 1.51x | No 2.43x

Even though France has the talent to beat anybody, they didn’t get the easiest of draws, with Iraq being the only team ranked below 31st in the FIFA World Rankings in Group I.

Norway and Senegal are both formidable squads that can make noise in the group stage, so winning the group isn’t a guarantee for Les Bleus.

Pick France to win World Cup Group I now!

France to Advance to World Cup Knockout Stage

Yes 1.01x | No 16.66x

France has made it out of the group stage in five of their last seven World Cup appearances, finishing as the runners-up or as champions in four of those.

Even in an ultra-competitive group, France may not have any issues making it to the knockout stage.

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Make France World Cup Picks on PrizePicks

France was just a penalty shootout away from being back-to-back World Cup champs in 2022, but Argentina had other plans. Will France quickly put the 2022 World Cup defeat behind them and add another WC trophy to their collection this summer?

You can make your France and 2026 World Cup picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money on World Cup games. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats like shots or goals, and cash in if you’re correct. 

With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states. 

Stick around with the Playbook for continued World Cup predictions, picks, and analysis through the end of the tournament.