France
The deepest, most arrogant attack in the world — Mbappe broke a record in game one's 90th minute.
Team rating
- Attack92
- Midfield86
- Defense87
Next matches
- Next upvs IraqLincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaJun 22
- vs NorwayGillette Stadium, FoxboroughJun 26
The read
France are perennial — finalists or semifinalists every recent World Cup — playing the deepest, flashiest in the world, led by superstar Kylian Mbappé and the reigning winner (the award for the planet's best player). They opened with a 3-1 win over Senegal, and in that game Mbappé scored his way to becoming France's all-time top scorer. They sit second in their group only because Norway has scored one more goal.
The fan’s readThe deepest, most arrogant on the planet, perennial with a record-breaking Mbappe and the reigning winner — watching them is a highlight reel assembling itself in real time.
Live storylines
- Mbappé vs Haaland — the heirs' duel
The two best forwards of the post-Messi/Ronaldo era are DRAWN IN THE SAME GROUP (Group I) and will meet head-to-head. This is the marquee individual storyline of the whole tournament — and Haaland, a generational goal-machine, has somehow NEVER played a World Cup before now.
Both exploded on matchday 1. Mbappé scored a brace in France's 3-1 win over Senegal — his 2nd goal made him France's all-time top scorer (58). Haaland scored a brace on his World Cup debut in Norway's 4-1 win over Iraq. Norway top the group on goal difference; France 2nd. They meet June 26.
The cast
- Didier DeschampsFrance's coach since 2012 — won the World Cup as a player (1998) and a coach (2018); 2026 is his last tournament before Zidane takes overmanager
- Kylian Mbappe ★France's fastest man just became its all-time leading scorer — and he's only two goals off the World Cup record.ClubReal Madrid
- Ousmane DembeleThe reigning world player of the year, finally healthy at the exact moment it counts.ClubParis Saint-Germain
