What's happened
France has maintained a golden run at the 2026 World Cup, with Mbappé scoring in key matches against Iraq and Senegal as France advances in Group I. Dembélé and Olise are forming a dangerous attacking quartet, while Didier Deschamps preserves his stars for tougher tests to come.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- Mbappé’s continued scoring form cements his role as France’s focal point, with his goals driving recent wins.
- Olise’s creative bursts are adding a new layer to the attack, complementing Mbappé and Dembélé’s movement.
- Dembélé’s return to form is crucial, as it relieves statistical pressure on Mbappé and expands Deschamps’ rotational options.
- The team’s ability to adapt during a delayed restart shows discipline and depth, signaling readiness for tougher fixtures.
Overall, France is presenting a more attacking identity while maintaining compact defense, which could shape the tournament’s outcome as groups progress.
How we got here
In the 2026 World Cup, France entered as a strong favorite with a line-up including Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise and Doué. Recent matches against Senegal and Iraq have showcased France’s high-scoring attacking play and resilience despite weather delays and in-match substitutions.
Our analysis
The Guardian (Paul MacInnes) on Mbappé’s leadership and Ousmane Dembélé’s return; The Guardian (Paul MacInnes) on the Iraq match delay and tactical setup; Independent reporting on Mbappé’s milestone and World Cup goals; France 24 features on Deschamps’ selection and tactical balance.
Go deeper
- Will Mbappé extend his World Cup scoring run in the next match?
- How is Olise shaping the four-man attack alongside Mbappé and Dembélé?
- What does Deschamps’ rotation say about France’s squad depth going into tougher games?
More on these topics
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France - Country in Europe
France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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Iraq - Country in the Middle East
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in Western Asia, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest and Syria to the west.
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Didier Deschamps - French association football player and coach
Didier Claude Deschamps (French: [didje klod deʃɑ̃]; born 15 October 1968), popularly known as Dédé ([dede]), is a French professional football manager and former player who has been head coach of the France national team since 2012. He played as a defensive midfielder for several clubs, in France, Italy, England and Spain, namely Marseille, Juventus, Chelsea and Valencia, as well as Nantes and Bordeaux. Nicknamed "the water-carrier" (French: le porteur d'eau), Deschamps was an intelligent and hard-working defensive midfielder, who excelled at winning back possession and subsequently starting attacking plays, and also stood out for his leadership throughout his career. As a French international, he was capped on 103 occasions and took part at three UEFA European Championships and one FIFA World Cup, captaining his nation to victories in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. In addition to winning two Division 1 titles in 1990 and 1992, Deschamps was part of the Marseille squad that became the first French club to win the UEFA Champions League, a feat which the team achieved in 1993; with the Champions League victory, Deschamps became the youngest captain ever to lead his team to win the...
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Kylian Mbappé - French footballer
Kylian Mbappé Lottin is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team.
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Lionel Messi - Footballer
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains both Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
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Olise - French footballer
Michael Akpovie Olise is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Crystal Palace. Born in England, he represents France internationally.