France don set their eyes on World Cup 2026, and many people dey see dem as favourites to win the tournament for third time. Les Bleus fans dey excited, especially because the team don reach final for last two tournaments and lift trophy for 2018.
Didier Deschamps, former Chelsea midfielder, dey lead the team as coach for 14 years now, and this be im fourth World Cup. The squad get mix of young and experienced players, with Kylian Mbappe as captain. Mbappe be top scorer for both Champions League and 2022 World Cup.
Malo Gusto get call from Deschamps to join im first major tournament. Gusto don play six of im nine senior caps during qualifying campaign, sharing right-back duties with Barcelona‘s Jules Kounde. Both dey fight for starting spot when France kick off against Senegal. Gusto make strong case with two assists for France last qualifier, 3-1 win over Azerbaijan.
Gusto join Chelsea legend N’Golo Kante and former Blues Academy player Michael Olise for France squad. The squad include seven Premier League players and five from back-to-back Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. Four players wey lift trophy for 2018 dey inside: Dembele, Lucas Hernandez, Kante, and Mbappe.
Mbappe dey chase World Cup record, four goals behind Miroslav Klose’s 16. He need one more goal to equal Just Fontaine as France all-time top scorer for tournament.
France dey Group I, with tricky opponents: Senegal, Norway, and Iraq. Senegal be first opponent, same as 2002 when France lose 1-0 and become first defending champion to exit early. Norway get Erling Haaland, wey score 16 goals for qualifying. Iraq dey make first World Cup appearance for 40 years.
France qualify unbeaten, win five of six matches, draw 2-2 away to Iceland. Dem score 16 goals and concede four, best record for group. Nine different players score.
This be France 17th World Cup, the only European country wey don play every edition since 1930. Dem win twice: first for 1998 with Deschamps as captain, second for 2018 with Deschamps as manager. If dem reach final again, Deschamps go be first manager to reach three finals in a row. He go step down after tournament.
