Today, September 5 in Wrocław, the Ukraine national team will play against France in a World Cup 2026 qualifier. Here is an introduction to our opponent. 

France

General Information

As of July 2025, the French team held third place in the official FIFA ranking. Their first match in history was played on May 1, 1904 against Belgium (3:3), their biggest victory came on November 18, 2023 over Gibraltar (14:0), and their worst defeat occurred on October 22, 1908 against Denmark (1:17). Nicknames: the blues and the tricolors. 

The French national team has twice won the World Cup title (1998, 2018) and twice — the European Championship (1984, 2000). In 2001 and 2003 they became Confederations Cup champions, in 1984 they won Olympic gold, and in 2021 — UEFA Nations League gold. 

Squad 

In the World Cup-2026 qualifier against Ukraine, France's head coach Didier Deschamps will be able to rely on 23 players.

France National Team Squad

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan ('Milan', Italy), Lucas Chevalier ('PSG'), Brice Samba ('Rennes').

Defenders: Luka Donjček ('Aston Villa', England), Malo Gusto ('Chelsea', England), Theo Hernández ('Al-Hilal', Saudi Arabia), Ibrahima Konaté ('Liverpool', England), Jules Koundé ('Barcelona', Spain), Benjamin Pavard ('Inter'), Dayot Upamecano ('Bayern Munich', Germany), Lucas Hernández ('PSG').

Midfielders: Manu Koné ('Roma', Italy), Orel Mangane ('Real Madrid', Spain), Herven Mbeukelem ('Juventus', Italy), Désiré D'Urselin ('PSG'), Adrien Rabiot ('Marseille').

Forwards: Magnez Akliush ('Monaco'), Youssouf Kone ('Liverpool', England), Kylian Mbappé ('Real Madrid', Spain), Michael Olise ('Bayern Munich', Germany), Marcus Thuram ('Inter', Italy), Bredley Barkley, Ousmane Dembélé (both — 'PSG').

Head Coach

The 56-year-old French specialist Didier Deschamps has been coaching the national team of France since July 2012. He replaced Laurent Blanc on this position. 

Previously, he worked with 'Monaco', 'Juventus' and 'Marseille'. With the last team, he became champion of France, three times — winner of the French League Cup and twice — winner of the French Super Cup. With Monaco, he reached the final of the UEFA Champions League-2003/2004. World Champion 2018 with the French national team and finalist of Euro 2016. Silver medalist at the 2022 World Cup. Winner of the UEFA Nations League-2020/2021. In 2018, he was named FIFA Coach of the Year and Coach of the Year in France.

Under his leadership, the national team has played 169 matches. The tricolors won 107 games, drew 34 times, and lost 28. 

Leader

The undisputed leader of today's French national team is the forward of Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé. For the French national team, the 26-year-old Mbappé has played 90 matches, scoring 50 goals. With the blues, he became the World Cup champion in 2018 and winner of the UEFA Nations League-2020/2021.

With 'PSG', he won the French championship six times (2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024), twice — the French League Cup (2017/2018, 2019/2020), four times — the French Cup (2017/2018, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2023/2024) and three times — the French Super Cup (2019, 2020, 2023). 

With 'Real Madrid', he became the winner of the UEFA Super Cup (2024) and the Intercontinental Cup (2024).

Kylian Mbappé was named the best young player at the 2018 World Cup. He has six times been the top scorer in Ligue 1 (2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024) and twice — the Footballer of the Year in France (2018, 2019). Winner of the 'Golden Boot'-2024/2025. Top scorer at the 2022 World Cup (8 goals). Top scorer in the UEFA Champions League-2023/2024 (8 goals).

Mbappé is a versatile player who most often plays as a winger, both on the left and right flank. Kylian demonstrates excellent technique and is proficient at dribbling. He can operate in attack but also excels as an assist provider, making many key passes.