After a breathless 3-0 win over Sweden in the round of 32, France look unstoppable. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, moving level on six goals with Argentina's Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, and the team displayed a unity that left pundits calling them "one of the most clear favourites I have ever seen in a World Cup tournament." But why does this French side feel so dominant, and can anyone stop them?
The basics are straightforward: France are through to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup after topping their group and beating Sweden in the first knockout round. Under manager Didier Deschamps, they have scored three or more goals in five consecutive World Cup matches – a tournament first. Their squad includes Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, who has contributed five assists. The team is chasing a second World Cup title after winning in 2018, having lost the 2022 final to Argentina on penalties.
“Why France are dominating the 2026 World Cup, with team spirit and Mbappe's brilliance.”
The deeper story lies in the team's spirit. Deschamps returned to the dugout for the Sweden match after flying home for his mother's funeral. Before the game, he said he had "complicated days where I was devastated" but that being back with the team helped keep his head occupied. When Mbappe scored the opening goal, he ran straight to Deschamps for a hug, and the entire squad joined in a group embrace. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said: "We know the coach is going through a lot, we are trying to give everything to make him as happy as possible." Deschamps himself noted: "The team spirit of this group doesn't make you win matches. But I know if it's the other way round, you can lose games. The collective strength is above everything."
For UK readers, France's run matters because they are the team England or other British nations may need to beat to win the tournament. Former England striker Ian Wright said on ITV Sport: "France are one of the most clear favourites I have ever seen in a World Cup tournament." Patrick Vieira, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, added: "They showed to everyone that they are the team to beat." With Germany and the Netherlands already eliminated in the round of 32, the path might open up – but France remain the benchmark.
Q: Why is France so strong in the 2026 World Cup? France combine world-class talent – Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise – with exceptional team spirit. They have scored three or more goals in five straight World Cup matches, a tournament record, and their manager Didier Deschamps has built a unified squad that plays for each other.
Q: How many goals has Kylian Mbappe scored in the 2026 World Cup? As of the round of 32, Mbappe has six goals, level with Argentina's Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot race. He scored twice in the 3-0 win over Sweden, including a superb individual finish.
Q: What happened to France's manager before the Sweden match? Didier Deschamps missed France's final group game against Norway after returning to France for his mother's funeral. He returned to the dugout for the Sweden match, and his players dedicated their performance to him, including an emotional goal celebration.
What happens next: France face Paraguay in the last 16 on Saturday, 4 July at 22:00 BST in Philadelphia. If they win, they will face the winner of another last-16 tie. With Germany and the Netherlands already out, France's path to the final looks favourable, but Deschamps will urge caution: "This group is united and they delivered when I was not here."