France World Cup 2026 Tickets

Current Squad & Key Players

Off the back of a convincing qualifying campaign, France head into this summer's World Cup as one of the favourites. Their squad is largely settled; however, as with any international football team, there is a need for evolution and experimentation, as you can see from their squad below.

November qualifying squad

GK: Lucas Chevalier (Paris Saint-Germain)
GK: Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
GK: Brice Samba (Rennes)
DF: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa)
DF: Malo Gusto (Chelsea)
DF: Lucas Hernández (Paris Saint-Germain)
DF: Théo Hernandez (Al-Hilal)
DF: Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool)
DF: Jules Koundé (Barcelona)
DF: William Saliba (Arsenal)
DF: Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
MF: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
MF: N'Golo Kanté (Al-Ittihad)
MF: Manu Koné (Roma)
MF: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
MF: Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
FW: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco)
FW: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain)
FW: Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
FW: Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool)
FW: Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham Hotspur)
FW: Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
FW: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
FW: Christopher Nkunku (AC Milan)

Key players

Kylian Mbappe – Undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and one for the big occasions. Now settled at Real Madrid, Mbappe will be hoping his domestic form translates into the World Cup.

Ousmane Dembele - Crowned as the best player in the world at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in September, although his injury record is poor.

William Saliba - Saliba has been imperious for Arsenal since breaking into the side in 2022/23, and with Ibrahima Konate struggling for form at Liverpool, Saliba looks like the favoured partner to Dayot Upamecano at the back.

Notable omissions from France's latest squad

Aurélien Tchouaméni – A regular starter for Real Madrid and France in recent years, missed out due to injury.

Adrien Rabiot – Juventus midfielder with major tournament experience, often a key figure in Deschamps' plans.

Ousmane Dembélé – PSG winger, usually a strong attacking option, sidelined by injury.

Marcus Thuram – Inter Milan forward, featured prominently at Euro 2024 and World Cup 2022.

Benjamin Pavard – Bayern Munich defender, World Cup winner in 2018, omitted despite experience.

Youssouf Fofana – Monaco midfielder, previously a regular squad member.

Boubacar Kamara – Aston Villa midfielder, often called up for depth in defensive midfield.

Corentin Tolisso – Lyon midfielder, another experienced option left out.

Florian Thauvin – Veteran winger, previously part of France's extended pool.

France's World Cup Qualification Journey

France's path to the 2026 World Cup was nothing short of dominant. Placed in Group D alongside Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan, Les Bleus delivered an almost flawless campaign, winning five out of six matches and keeping three clean sheets. The one blotch on their otherwise perfect record came in their October fixture against Iceland, a 2-2 draw in which they were without captain Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe finished as France's top scorer in qualifying with five goals, but France will be looking for greater contributions from their other attacking stars, like Ousmane Dembele, when the tournament begins. Take a look at France's dominant qualifying record below.

• Sept 5, 2025 – Ukraine 0–2 France
• Sept 9, 2025 – France 2–1 Iceland
• Oct 10, 2025 – France 3–0 Azerbaijan
• Oct 13, 2025 – Iceland 2–2 France
• Nov 13, 2025 – France 4–0 Ukraine
• Nov 16, 2025 – Azerbaijan 1–3 France

France's Group Assignment & Opponents

France have been drawn in Group I alongside Senegal, Norway, and the winner of World Cup Playoff 2 for the group stage.

France's campaign begins on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey, a fixture that will see them face one of Africa's strongest sides, led by Sadio Mané and Ismaila Sarr. Their third match is scheduled for Friday, 26 June 2026 against Norway at Gillette Stadium in Boston, a clash that could pit Kylian Mbappé against Erling Haaland in one of the most anticipated encounters of the tournament. France's remaining group fixture will be against the Playoff 2 winner, with the date and venue confirmed later, and potential opponents including teams from Europe or South America depending on qualification outcomes.

This means France are in a challenging group, with opponents from Africa, Europe, and a playoff entrant, all offering contrasting styles of football. Senegal bring pace, power, and tournament pedigree, Norway are known for their technical quality and attacking threat, while the Playoff 2 winner adds unpredictability to the mix. France, ranked among the world's top sides, head into their group as favourites to progress, especially given their recent record of winning the World Cup in 2018 and reaching the final in 2022. France's depth, experience, and attacking firepower should give them confidence heading into the tournament.

France's World Cup 2026 Fixtures

France face a tough start to their World Cup campaign with fixtures against three experienced sides, however, Les Bleus will fancy their chances of progression from Group I. Take a look at their group stage fixtures below:

• June 16, 2026 – France vs Senegal (MetLife Stadium, New York New Jersey, USA)
• June 22, 2026 – France vs Playoff Winner (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA)
• June 26, 2026 – Norway vs France (Gillette Stadium, Boston, USA)

France's Tactical Approach & Playing Style

France have combined athleticism, technical quality, and tactical flexibility to become one of the most formidable sides in world football. Under Didier Deschamps, they typically operate in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, prioritising defensive solidity and rapid transitions. The double pivot, often featuring N'Golo Kanté and Eduardo Camavinga, or Aurélien Tchouaméni provides balance, allowing full-backs like Théo Hernandez to push forward. France's attacking play revolves around pace and directness, with Kylian Mbappé spearheading quick counter attacks and exploiting space behind the defence.

Creative midfielders like Warren Zaïre-Emery and Michael Olise add technical ability and build sharp combinations in the final third. While their approach is pragmatic, France can dominate possession when required. Set pieces and aerial strength remain a key part of their tactical make up, complemented by a disciplined defence anchored by William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano. This blend of structure and explosiveness makes France adaptable against any opponent.

Host Cities & Venues Where France Plays

MetLife Stadium in New York-New Jersey is one of the United States' premier football venues, renowned for its vast capacity, modern infrastructure, and lively atmosphere. Home to the New York Giants and New York Jets of the NFL, it has staged major sporting events and global entertainment on a huge scale. Hosting World Cup matches for the first time, including France's opener against Senegal on 16 June 2026, it offers cutting-edge facilities and the energy of New York and New Jersey's passionate fan culture.

Lincoln Financial Field, known locally as The Linc, is Philadelphia's official World Cup stadium. Opened in 2003, it has been home to the Philadelphia Eagles and has already staged international friendlies, Gold Cup fixtures, and the 2025 Club World Cup. With its proven track record and world-class amenities, it provides the perfect setting for France's second group game against the Playoff Winner on 22 June 2026, ensuring a high-energy atmosphere in one of America's most historic sporting cities.

Gillette Stadium, which will be known as Boston Stadium during the tournament, completes the trio. Famous for its lighthouse and bridge design, it combines New England charm with modern facilities. Hosting France's final group game against Norway on 26 June 2026, it promises a memorable occasion in a city with a rich sporting tradition.

World Cup 2026 Fanzones for France Supporters

The World Cup Fan Festival is the go-to destination for fans without a stadium ticket to watch World Cup games. Located across the host cities, fans can watch live match screenings, eat local food and see some top-tier entertainment, all while soaking in the tournament atmosphere. Below is a list of the fan zones already announced across the host cities and the ones that are suspected to play a part:

France's Tournament Predictions & Chances

Alongside England, Spain, Brazil, and Argentina, France are widely regarded as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup next summer. Having won the competition in 2018, they have accumulated the tournament experience and nous needed to challenge for the title again.

Since winning the World Cup in 2018, France have continued their role as one of the best teams on the planet, and recently delivered an almost flawless qualifying campaign, winning five out of six matches and keeping three clean sheets. With a wealth of talent at their disposal, which includes two of the best players in world football in Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, Les Bleus have all the tools necessary to go the distance and win the tournament for the second time in eight years. With the perfect mix of youth, experienced heads and world-class talent, France look like one of the most complete teams heading to the tournament.

France's World Cup History & Legacy

Having lifted the trophy twice, France have one of the richest legacies in World Cup history. Their World Cup journey began in 1930, as one of the original participants, but it wasn't until the late 20th century that they truly emerged as a global powerhouse. Les Bleus won their first World Cup in 1998. Led by Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, they defeated Brazil 3–0 in a historic final at the Stade de France.

France had to wait until 2018 to claim their second World Cup title, defeating Croatia 4–2 in a frenetic final that showcased a new generation of talent, including Kylian Mbappe, and marked the beginning of a new era for Les Bleus. In total, France have appeared in four finals in the last 28 years (1998, 2006, 2018, and 2022) underlining their competitiveness and consistency at the highest level. Most recently, at the 2022 World Cup, they produced one of the most dramatic finals in tournament history, battling Argentina to a 3–3 draw before narrowly losing on penalties.

France's Squad Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

• World-class attack: With Kylian Mbappé leading the line and supporting forwards like Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, France possess explosive pace and clinical finishing.
• Midfield depth & balance: The presence of Eduardo Camavinga and Warren Zaïre-Emery ensures dynamism and technical control, complemented by N'Golo Kanté's experience and defensive work rate.
• Elite defensive options: Centre-backs William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, and Jules Koundé provide strength, composure, and aerial dominance. Full-backs Théo Hernandez and Malo Gusto offer attacking width.

Weaknesses

• Reliance on Mbappé: The attack heavily depends on Mbappé's brilliance. If he has an off day, France can struggle to break down compact defences.
• Injury concerns: Key players such as Ousmane Dembélé and Aurélien Tchouaméni have struggled with injuries recently.
• Limited natural striker options: With Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema retired, France lack a traditional target man, which means they will have to adapt to an unfamiliar style of play.

How to Buy World Cup 2026 Tickets for France

The World Cup is the pinnacle of professional football, and it only comes around every four years, so tickets are in high demand and notoriously tricky to get your hands on. In fact, our customer service team gets a lot of fans who ask: How can I book World Cup tickets for a France game? And it can be tricky. Let's walk you through all the steps so you can start thinking about booking your flights across the pond.

1. Select the match you want to attend and click 'View Tickets'.
2. Select the area you would like to sit within the stadium graphic on the right-hand side.
3. Select the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
4. Click on the green 'Buy' button.
5. Complete the order form using your personal details.
6. Don't forget to check that all your information has been input and is correct.
7. Click 'Make Payment'.
8. The tickets are now yours!

Ticket prices tend to vary depending on the seat category and match type, so do bear that in mind when selecting matches. Some games, mainly knockout matches or popular teams, can sell out incredibly quickly, so make sure you book early and are on high alert for when tickets come on sale!