France at the World Cup 2026: Squad, Group, Fixtures and History

France Head to the 2026 World Cup as Major Contenders

France will be among the most closely watched nations at the World Cup 2026, the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As one of the sport's most decorated national sides, Les Bleus carry significant expectations every time they step onto a global stage, and next summer is no different.

UEFA.com has published a full breakdown of France's involvement in the 2026 tournament, covering their confirmed squad, group allocation, scheduled fixtures, and a look back at the country's World Cup record. It serves as the go-to reference for fans tracking the French campaign ahead of kick-off.

Group Stage Setup and Fixtures

France have been drawn into their group for the expanded 48-team tournament, which features a revised format compared to previous editions. The group stage now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing automatically alongside the best-placed third-place finishers.

Their fixture schedule will test the squad across multiple venues spread between the three host nations. Traveling between cities and adapting to varying climates and pitches will be a logistical challenge for Didier Deschamps and his coaching staff, as it will be for every European side making the trip.

Full match dates, kick-off times, and venue details for France's group games are available via UEFA.com, which is tracking all confirmed information as it is released by FIFA.

The Squad Deschamps Will Rely On

France's squad for the 2026 World Cup blends experienced internationals with a generation of players who came through the ranks after the country's triumphant 2018 campaign in Russia. The core of the side has featured regularly in recent major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, where France were beaten on penalties by Argentina after a dramatic 3-3 draw following extra time.

That final showed both the quality and the resilience France possess, coming from behind twice before ultimately losing the shootout. Building on that near-miss, the squad for 2026 is expected to be highly competitive, with several players now at the peak of their careers.

Detailed squad information, including player positions and club affiliations, has been compiled by UEFA.com as part of their full tournament guide for the French national team.

France's World Cup History

France have one of the more impressive World Cup records in European football. They won the tournament for the first time on home soil in 1998, defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final at the Stade de France. That side, captained by Didier Deschamps and inspired by Zinedine Zidane, became one of the most celebrated teams in the country's sporting history.

After a difficult spell in the early 2000s, France reached the 2006 final in Germany before losing to Italy on penalties. Then came the 2018 triumph in Russia, a second world title secured with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, and the 2022 final heartbreak against Argentina.

With two World Cup titles and two runner-up finishes in the last three tournaments, France have established themselves as the most consistent major nation on the planet over that stretch. Few sides can point to a comparable recent record.

Heading into 2026, they will look to go one better than Qatar and reclaim the trophy they last lifted seven years ago. The squad's depth, experience in high-pressure matches, and tactical flexibility under Deschamps make them genuine title contenders once again.

All confirmed details on France's 2026 World Cup journey, including live updates to the squad and fixture list as the tournament approaches, are being maintained by UEFA.com.