France advances in World Cup, squad features top club players

By Karan Malhotra — 10 July 2026 — 3 min read

The France national team has continued its strong performance in the FIFA 2026 World Cup, securing a spot in the semifinals. The team defeated Morocco 2-0, showcasing a dominant display that has been characteristic of their tournament run. This victory marks another step in their campaign, following a history of significant achievements in the competition.

Many consider the French squad to be among the top contenders in the current World Cup, with some observers suggesting they are making a case for being one of the best international teams ever. Their consistent performance builds upon previous successes, including winning the World Cup in 2018 and finishing as runner-up in 2022 after a loss to Argentina.

Squad Composition and Club Representation

The 26-player France World Cup squad features a host of talented individuals from various top clubs globally. Notable players include Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise, who are among those highlighted for their contributions. The team’s roster is composed of players from several prominent leagues, reflecting a diverse and experienced group.

The majority of the 26 players on the France World Cup squad play for clubs in the French Ligue 1. Following this, the English Premier League is well-represented, with a number of players from its clubs. Both Italian Serie A and Spanish LaLiga also contribute several players to the national team, while the German Bundesliga, Saudi Pro League, and Turkish Süper Lig each have players on the squad.

Specifically, Paris Saint-Germain is the most represented club, with five players currently on the France World Cup squad. Other clubs with multiple players include Real Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, and Crystal Palace, each contributing two players. The remaining clubs represented on the squad each have one player.

The full list of players and their club affiliations includes:

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Rennes), Robin Risser (Lens)
Defenders: Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)
Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté (Fenerbahce), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Manu Koné (Roma), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Désiré Doué (PSG), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Tournament Expectations and Challenges

With such a strong roster, France entered the tournament with high expectations and is considered one of the betting favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, alongside Spain. The team’s journey through the group stage and early knockout rounds has been successful, leading them to the semifinals.

The team’s schedule included group stage matches against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. Their knockout stage path saw them face Sweden on June 30 and Paraguay on July 4, before their quarterfinal match against Morocco on July 9.

Didier Deschamps‘ team appears to be well-prepared, suggesting that any potential defeat might stem from internal issues rather than external opposition. While teams like Argentina, Spain, or England could pose a challenge on a favorable day, and Norway might be capable of an upset, France‘s current form indicates a formidable presence in the tournament.

The French national team has a rich history in the World Cup, having won it twice in 1998 and 2014, and finishing as runner-up twice in 2006 and 2022. Their recent victory against Morocco on July 9 further solidifies their position as a leading contender in the 2026 World Cup.