After going within a penalty shoot-out of back-to-back World Cup titles, France are back and seeking a third crown, in North America.

📔 What are the key stats and facts I need to know before betting on France at World Cup 2026?

🔥 What free bets are available for France's World Cup games?

✅ What is the best bet for France at the World Cup 2026?

🌍 How did France qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Having been landed in a group with Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan, World Cup qualifying was a relatively straightforward process for France, who scored 16 goals and conceded only four on their way to topping the group.

Despite winning five of their six matches, qualifying was not without its scares. Iceland, for example, were ahead of France in both their matches, while Azerbaijan also held a 1-0 lead in Baku before going down to a 3-0 defeat. Even in defeating Ukraine 4-0 in Paris, France were still scoreless at the break.

Mbappe was the key figure throughout the campaign, netting five times. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise both weighed in with two each.

👔 Who is the France manager at the World Cup 2026?

Didier Deschamps is expected to make way for Zinedine Zidane at the end of the World Cup and will be aiming to sign off as France’s most decorated coach by winning the trophy for the second time. He’s been in charge of Les Bleus since 2012 and will step down with more than 100 more matches in charge than any other person. In other words: he knows what he’s doing. Deschamps is a pragmatist at heart but has shown in major tournaments that his low-risk approach can be the best one. It means that France can lean on individual moments or set pieces to break their opponents down, which is rarely to their detriment.

🔎 Who are France's key players to watch at World Cup 2026?

Kylian Mbappe

After becoming just the second player to score at hat-trick in a World Cup final four years ago, Mbappe’s impact with France has only grown. He is likely to be the captain for this tournament but he is comfortable with such a burden. Looking confident with Real Madrid at present, the 27-year-old is entering what are expected to be the peak years of his career and will be seeking to celebrate that with a second world title. He could play for France through the middle as he does at club level, or move off to the left wing in a role he has previously admitted is his favourite. Either way, look for him to be equally dangerous.

Michael Olise

Michael Olise could prove France’s creative X-factor in North America, with the 24-year-old London-born star having emerged as a key figure for Didier Deschamps in recent months. He was a virtual ever-present in the qualifying campaign, only rested in the away trip to Azerbaijan. With two goals and one assist, he would have wished to be generating more headlines, but that’s not been a problem domestically with Bayern Munich, where he has supplied decisive actions on a regular basis this term. Olise may also benefit from striking up his old Crystal Palace partnership with Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has provided a focal point through the centre when required.

William Saliba

While Saliba is regarded as perhaps the Premier League’s best centre back, he is yet to show such a level on an international basis, and if France are going to go deep into the World Cup, it is likely that he will have to replicate his club form. With 31 caps, the Arsenal ace is no rookie at international level, but does not yet command the respect he does with his club. The quick centre back will be paired with Dayot Upamecano in the middle of Les Bleus’ rearguard, and with the full back areas perhaps the zone in which France are weakest, it is essential that the complete defender is at his best.

🔮 What is Andy's Bet Club and how does it work for World Cup 2026 tips?

Keep up with Andy's Tips, including World Cup Predictions and World Cup 2026 Free Bet Offers, on Andy's Bet Club.

For World Cup outright betting, check out our World Cup Players to Watch Tips, World Cup Golden Boot Tips and World Cup Outright Winner Tips.

* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.