NATIONAL TEAM · 18 / 48GROUP I · FRA

France

IGroup5Matches1#9PTS

Didier Deschamps has been on the touchline for twelve years, and 2026 is said to be his last great tournament with Les Bleus. The symmetry is hard to ignore: he lifted the trophy as a player in 1998 and as a coach in 2018, and now he chases a third star in three cycles. France arrive having lost the 2022 final to Argentina on penalties, then falling in the semis at Euro 2024, so the hunger is real. Their strength is depth. This is the squad that absorbs injuries without panic, built around a Real Madrid spine of Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga, with William Saliba marshalling the back line. Drawn in Group I with Senegal, Norway and Iraq, they are expected to finish top, and few would bet against them going much further.

Matches

Standings · I

After matchday 3 of 3
#TeamMPWDLGDPTS
1FRA3300+89
2NOR3201+16
3SEN3102+23
4IRQ3003-110
When does France play their first match?
France's opening match is on June 16, 2026 at 19:00 UTC against Senegal, played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
Who are France's group rivals?
France is drawn into Group I of the 2026 tournament alongside Iraq, Norway, Senegal. Each team plays the other three once; the top two of every group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32.
What group is France in?
France is in Group I. The group also features Iraq, Norway, Senegal.
How many matches will France play in the tournament?
France are scheduled to play 5 matches at this stage, starting with the group stage. They could play up to seven matches in total if they advance all the way to the final.
How can France advance from Group I?
France need to finish in the top two of Group I to qualify directly for the Round of 32, or among the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups. Three points for a win, one for a draw, and goal difference is the first tiebreaker.