France won all three group matches with 10 goals scored, but defensive vulnerabilities remain evident. Head coach Deschamps and Rabiot emphasized at the pre-match press conference that the team will continue its attacking identity while staying alert to Sweden's counter-attacks and set-piece threat. Striker Thuram is ruled out due to a muscle injury.
During the 2026 World Cup group stage, France's front four of Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise and Doué all averaged ScoreZ ratings above 6.90, with Dembélé leading at 8.57 and Mbappé setting the tone at 8.23. Under Deschamps, Les Bleus' attack is firing on all fronts, giving them quantifiable confidence on their path to the title.
The French Football Federation confirmed to the media that head coach Didier Deschamps has rejoined the squad; he had previously returned home to handle affairs following his mother's death and missed France's 4-1 Group I finale win over Norway, with Les Bleus set to face Sweden in New Jersey on Tuesday.
2026 World Cup Group I matchday 3: France beat Norway 4-1. Dembele scored with all three shots on target, earned a ScoreZ rating of 10, and was substituted after 65 minutes by Deschamps—efficiency, trust, and minute management form a key sample for France ahead of the knockout stage.
France beat Iraq 3-0 to clinch a spot in the World Cup Round of 32, with the match finishing two hours late after a halftime rain delay. Kolo Muani discussed the psychological challenge and Didier Deschamps' rotation.
The first Group I match kicks off at MetLife Stadium in the Eastern US, with FIFA top-ranked France taking on Senegal as Kylian Mbappé leads the charge for a winning start.
France kick off their World Cup Group I campaign tonight against Senegal, who have vowed to replicate their shock victory from 2002. Kalidou Koulibaly has been confirmed to play.
France beat Senegal 3-1 in World Cup Group I as Mbappé moved to 58 goals to surpass Olivier Giroud as France's all-time leading scorer, with his 14 World Cup goals equaling Gerd Müller's tally.
With final 26-man squads confirmed, England's Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold, along with France's Eduardo Camavinga, were among the high-profile players left out.
The French Football Federation announced that Saliba was absent from training due to back discomfort, while Theo Hernandez and Tchouameni were also given preventive rest, leaving their availability for the opening match uncertain.
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