16
WC Appearances
including 2026
Champion
Best Result
all-time
2 🏆
Titles
World Cup wins
#3
FIFA Ranking
April 2026 (approx.)
About France
France enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as two-time champions and one of the heaviest favourites, led by arguably the world's best player in Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé. Les Bleus have been extraordinarily consistent under Didier Deschamps - World Cup champions in 2018, runners-up in 2022 - and their squad depth is exceptional, combining experienced players like Antoine Griezmann with an extraordinary young talent pipeline. Group I alongside Senegal, Norway, and Iraq looks very manageable for France, who will be expected to reach the late stages of the tournament. The question for 2026 is not whether France will win games, but whether they can finally put together a complete tournament performance to claim a third World Cup title.
Team Base Camp
🇺🇸 USA
Base camp
Waltham, Massachusetts
Les Bleus base at Bentley University in Waltham, just outside Boston. NCAA Division II campus with private fields and dorm-style accommodation the federation booked exclusively for the group stage.
Per FIFA regulations (§18.3), France stays at this base camp for the entire group stage and travels to each match venue one day before kickoff (and returns the same night or the next day).
Distance to each group-stage match
Straight-line distance from Waltham to each match stadium. Actual travel adds airport time on flights.
Key Players
Brice Samba
Pierre Kalulu
Aurélien Tchouaméni
Kylian Mbappé
Maghnes Akliouche
Head Coach
Didier Deschamps
2026 Group
Group I
France at the 2026 World Cup
All times shown are local to the stadium
World Cup History
| Year | Stage Reached | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Runner-up | 🥈 |
| 2018 | Champion | 🏆 |
| 2014 | Quarterfinal | |
| 2010 | Group Stage | |
| 2006 | Runner-up | 🥈 |
| 2002 | Group Stage | |
| 1998 | Champion | 🏆 |
| 1986 | 3rd Place | 🥉 |
| 1982 | 4th Place | 🥉 |
| 1978 | Group Stage | |
| 1966 | Group Stage | |
| 1958 | 3rd Place | 🥉 |
| 1954 | Quarterfinal | |
| 1950 | Group Stage | |
| 1938 | Quarterfinal | |
| 1930 | Group Stage |
16 appearances total · Includes all World Cups as France
France World Cup 2026 FAQ
What group is France in for the 2026 World Cup?+
France is in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Senegal, Norway, Iraq.
Who is the manager of France at the 2026 World Cup?+
Didier Deschamps manages France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What is France's FIFA ranking?+
France is ranked #3 in the FIFA World Rankings heading into the 2026 World Cup.
How many World Cups has France played in?+
France has appeared in 16 FIFA World Cups including 2026. Their best result is Champion, and they have won the World Cup 2 times.
When does France play in the 2026 World Cup?+
France's 2026 World Cup group stage matches: June 16 vs Senegal; June 22 vs Iraq; June 26 vs Norway. Knockout matches are determined by group stage results.
Who are France's key players for the 2026 World Cup?+
Key players to watch for France include Brice Samba, Pierre Kalulu, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Kylian Mbappé, Maghnes Akliouche.
Where is France's base camp for the 2026 World Cup?+
France will be based in Waltham, Massachusetts (USA), training at Bentley University. Per FIFA regulations, the team stays at this base camp throughout the group stage and travels to match venues one day before each game.
France on the way to 2026
France v Belgium | 2018 FIFA World Cup | Match Highlights (FIFA)