Who would bet against France winning another World Cup?

France has everything in this World Cup. Kylian Mbappé and his team have shown great football in the first phase of the tournament, advancing calmly through one of the most difficult groups and passing Sweden in the first knockout phase. They are now preparing for a round of 16 clash against Paraguay on Saturday and are considered favorites to lift the trophy in New Jersey on July 19.

Coach Didier Deschamps and his players cannot afford to underestimate the opponent who eliminated Germany in their last match, but with the football they are playing, no one wants to face the French team. The numbers are impressive: with six goals in four games, Mbappé is the main candidate to win the Golden Shoe. Ousmane Dembélé is also in contention, with four goals, while Michael Olise stands out with five assists, more than any other player so far.

France is the team that has scored the most goals per match (3.3) at the World Cup and is only behind Brazil in expected goals (xG). After criticism for a conservative style of play in previous tournaments, they have been a sight to behold in games against Senegal, Iraq, Norway and Sweden. This is reflected in odds of just 15/8 to win the World Cup, with 5/6 to reach the final. If they succeed, it will be the third consecutive final for France, who lifted the trophy in 2018 and lost to Argentina in the last edition.

It could be argued that France has not yet faced a serious test. Norway should have been that challenge in the last match of the group stage, but coach Ståle Solbakken decided to rest most of his best players, practically giving up first place in Group I. In a match against a high-level opponent, France could be exposed.

Deschamps has used a formation with two midfielders in the four games, with Manu Koné or Adrien Rabiot alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni. So far, this strategy has worked, but it could be a problem against teams like Spain, who could cross their path in the semi-finals and play with three midfielders.


The left side of the defense can also be a weak point. Deschamps has alternated between Lucas Digne and Théo Hernandez, both more effective in attack than in defense. Spaniard Lamine Yamal would love the chance to face either of them. William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano are among the best defenders in the world right now, while Jules Koundé could join the back line as a third defender whenever Digne or Hernandez advances.

The system is working fine. However, the quality of France's attack could be what takes them to their third world title, following their successes in 1998 and 2018. It's not just the individual talent of each attacking player, but the way they complement each other. Mbappé is the threat that infiltrates, occupying the best positions within the opponent's area. Dembélé is the winger who makes the transition, creating and finishing from both sides, as he demonstrated in his hat-trick against Norway.

Bradley Barcola brings speed to the attack, while Olise is the creator who connects everything. For Bayern Munich, Olise is the new Arjen Robben, cutting in from the right to finish. For France, he is the new Antoine Griezmann, impacting all areas of the attacking game.

And noWe can forget Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki, who would probably be starters for any other team at the 2026 World Cup. France's starting line-up is frightening and the depth of the squad is no less impressive, even without Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike, who is recovering from injury.

Argentina, Brazil, England, Portugal, Spain and a few other teams should be taken seriously as title contenders, but France are playing at a level that could make them unbeatable this summer. Mbappé and company have set the initial pace — and there is no sign that they will slow down anytime soon.

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