Arsenal · UEFA Nations League · Defender · #2 · France · 24 yrs
After the first surprises in the 2026 World Cup, France face Senegal in their debut in the competition. For this reason, fans are keeping an eye con Kylian Mbappé status ahead of today’s Group I clash. France emerge as one of the best national teams in the world. With a promising roster, they are viewed as top contenders for the 2026 World Cup. In their debut in the competition, they face Senegal, looking for a victory to take the lead in Group I. As one of the best African teams, Pape Thiaw’s team could pose them major problems. For that reason, fans are keeping a close eye on Kylian Mbappé’s status, as he could be the difference-maker. Kylian Mbappé will start for France, as he arrives in excellent physical condition. As a central figure in Didier Deschamps’ team, he is once again expected to shine as a goalscorer, being the tournament’s top scorer. In addition, he has already promised a greater defensive effort, as he aims to enhance the collective play. For this reason, he is expected to be one of the best players in the 2026 World Cup. Coupled with Mbappé, head coach Didier Deschamps will bet on Ousmane Dembélé, Desiré Doué and, Michael Olise. Nonetheless, France main challenge may be the defense line as Senegal shine with an impressive offense with speed counterattacks. In light of this, they may decided to pick Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot in the double midfield line. Then, Dayot Upamecano and William Salida will shine in the defense line. Looking for a decisive victory, Senegal will also adopt an attacking setup led by Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson. Nonetheless, head coach Pape Thiaw will rely on Idrissa Gueye to provide solidity in midfield. To prevent Kylian Mbappé from scoring, they will turn to Kalidou Koulibaly and Moussa Niakhaté in central defense, while Edouard Mendy will start in goal. Desire Doue of France celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates. France confirmed lineup vs Senegal France will shine with a brilliant offense, chasing Mbappé and Dembélé scoring form. Nonetheless, they may struggle with Senegal’s speed offense, making a solid midfield and defense a key asset. In light of this, head coach Didier Deschamps has decided to trust on Aurelien Tchouameni as his physicality could help to stop Sadio Mane’s counterattacks. With this in mind, France will lineup as follows: Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Desiré Doué; Kylian Mbappé. Senegal confirmed lineup vs France Senegal arrive at the 2026 World Cup as underdogs. While they are one of Africa’s top sides, they are often underestimated despite their defensive solidity and dangerous counterattacking style. Head coach Pape Thiaw will rely on Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson as his main attacking threats. However, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gana Gueye will play key roles, providing leadership and stability throughout the team. Considering this, Senegal will play as follows: Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhate, Malick Diouf; Idrissa Gueye, Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye; Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mané.
Full preview of France for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. France enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the most talented and complete rosters among all international soccer teams. Currently ranked third globally, the two-time champions carry massive expectations into the summer. This competition marks the final chapter for head coach Didier Deschamps, who will step down after 14 years of unparalleled stability. Led by Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, the squad boasts world-class depth from a formidable defense to a devastating attack. This preview breaks down the tactical approach, key personnel, and qualification journey that will shape the French national team’s chances at the upcoming showpiece. Team profile CoachDidier DeschampsCaptainKylian MbappéNicknameLes BleusFIFA ranking3rdConfederationUEFAGroupGroup IBest World Cup resultChampions (1998, 2018)World Cup appearances16Last World Cup appearance2022 How France play The preferred France formation typically sets up as a balanced 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. The system prioritizes defensive solidity while allowing rapid transitions on the counter-attack. Deschamps favors a pragmatic approach, adapting his tactics to exploit opponent weaknesses rather than enforcing a rigid possession style. Despite this adaptability, the team controlled the ball for large stretches during UEFA qualifiers, averaging 68.3% possession. The setup grants attacking freedom to players like Mbappé, who operates centrally or from the left wing to bypass defensive tracking. The midfield relies on the returning N’Golo Kanté and Aurélien Tchouaméni to shield the backline and initiate quick offensive transitions. Defensively, the roster features elite center-backs like William Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté. However, occasional defensive lapses and questions about midfield control remain potential vulnerabilities that elite opponents could target. This tactical balance between a sturdy defensive block and lethal counter-attacking speed will ultimately dictate their success in the tournament. Didier Deschamps: The coach behind France Didier Deschamps is the longest-serving and most successful France coach in the history of the national team. Taking charge in July 2012, he has guided the program to three major finals, including a World Cup title in 2018. His leadership is defined by a pragmatic, winning mentality carried over from his illustrious playing career. As a former holding midfielder, he captained his country to their first championship in 1998. Didier Deschamps, head coach of France (Getty Images). Rather than imposing a strict tactical dogma, Deschamps excels at building a harmonious locker room and adapting to tournament conditions. This summer marks the end of an era, as the 56-year-old is set to step down following the competition. His ability to unite a squad filled with global superstars will be the defining factor in whether he leaves his post with another international trophy. Key player: Kylian Mbappé Mbappé arrives in North America at the peak of his career, carrying the captain’s armband and the burden of avenging a bitter defeat in the 2022 final. The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward is widely considered the most dangerous attacker in international soccer. Operating either centrally or from the left wing, his blistering pace and clinical finishing dictate the team’s entire offensive strategy. He enters the competition with 56 goals in 96 international appearances, sitting just one strike behind the all-time national scoring record. At the club level, Mbappé recently delivered a 42-goal season across 44 matches. His proven big-game mentality, highlighted by a historic hat-trick in the 2022 final, makes him the undisputed focal point of the roster. Without his elite production and ability to break open organized defenses, the French attack would lose its most lethal dimension. France’s road to the 2026 World Cup The French national team
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba (25) is expected to start France’s World Cup opener against Senegal in East Rutherford on Tuesday night. The 2025-2026 Premier League champion’s entourage has ag...
The national team entered its clash with Northern Ireland looking to fine-tune preparations, but the evening ended with a historic moment that placed Olise alongside one of the biggest names in French soccer. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than two days away, Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise have become the center of attention after a remarkable performance in France’s final warm-up match before the tournament. The national team entered its clash with Northern Ireland looking to fine-tune preparations, but the evening ended with a historic moment that placed Olise alongside one of the biggest names in French soccer. As Didier Deschamps made final adjustments before the opening World Cup fixture against Senegal, France produced a convincing 3-1 victory in Lille. While Mbappe remains the face of the national team and continues to chase more individual milestones, another attacking star stole the spotlight and matched an achievement that had belonged exclusively to the captain for more than two years. France entered the match under pressure to deliver a strong response after an unexpected setback against the Ivory Coast. With the World Cup beginning in less than a week, Deschamps wanted his squad to sharpen its tactical approach and build confidence before traveling to North America. Les Bleus controlled possession for long stretches against Northern Ireland and frequently pinned the visitors deep inside their own half. Although the attack occasionally lacked fluidity, France created enough chances to eventually overwhelm its opponent. Mbappe started alongside an impressive attacking cast that included Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and several other players expected to play major roles during the World Cup. Arsenal defender William Saliba also returned to the lineup as Deschamps experimented with a setup close to his strongest available team. Michael Olise delivers stunning performance The breakthrough arrived shortly before halftime when Olise reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area. As soon as Olise got his hands on a loose ball in the penalty area, the French forward swung his right foot and unleashed a thunderous effort that went wide of the goal. That opening goal gave France a deserved lead and set the stage for an unforgettable individual display. The Bayern star doubled the advantage after the break with another composed finish. Receiving the ball centrally inside the area, he struck a precise low effort beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 and place Northern Ireland firmly on the back foot. Olise Masterclass 🔥🔥🔥🤯 performance vs Northern Ireland TODAY Olise hat-trick goals 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Rwk45GPHwc— Madrid Pulse (@Madridpulse0) June 9, 2026 Although Patrick Kelly briefly pulled one back for the visitors, France never lost control of the contest. The response came through the same player who had already dominated the evening. The record that connects Olise and Mbappe The defining moment arrived in the closing stages when Olise completed his hat-trick with a spectacular long-range strike. The French attacker received a fantastic pass from Malo Gusto and then stormed the penalty area with a left-footed shot that soared into the far top left corner. The goal sealed a 3-1 victory and, more importantly, placed Olise in exclusive company. Thus, the 24-year-old became the first France player to score a hat-trick since Kylian Mbappe achieved the feat against Gibraltar in a Euro 2024 qualifier in November 2023. For more than two years, Mbappe had been the only French player to record a hat-trick for the national team.
Arsenal’s play-style has come in for some serious criticism this season, perhaps even more so due to the way that the season concluded. In the final game of the club season, Arsenal came up against...
Despite making his return in the Champions League final, Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the Netherland's World Cup squad due to his persistent groin injury. The Netherlands has become the latest nation to suffer a massive roster blow ahead of the 2026 World Cup, losing one of its foundational stars in Jurrien Timber. Despite suiting up for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final, the defender has failed to fully recover from a lingering ailment and will miss the tournament entirely. On Monday, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) released a statement confirming that Timber will miss the 2026 World Cup. “The 24-year-old defender has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner. In consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the national team’s pre-camp in New York after the game against Uzbekistan,” the statement read. Timber has been battling a groin injury since March 14, when he was forced off in the 38th minute of a Premier League match against Everton. The injury sidelined the defender for 14 consecutive games across all competitions for Arsenal before he finally made his return to action in the Champions League final against PSG. In that final, which was ultimately decided via a penalty shootout, Timber logged 54 minutes off the bench, convincing head coach Ronald Koeman that he was fit enough for a World Cup call-up. However, after sitting out the June 3 friendly against Algeria and failing to gain medical clearance for the upcoming clash with Uzbekistan, the coaching staff ultimately opted to send him home. Jurriën Timber misses the 2026 World Cup.The 24-year-old defender has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner. In consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the… pic.twitter.com/r6Wu8FRCfP— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 8, 2026 Netherlands already has Timber’s replacement With 23 caps for the Oranje, Timber had blossomed into a vital piece for Koeman due to his versatility to slot in at both right-back and center-back. While this groin setback denies the Arsenal man a chance at his second consecutive World Cup appearance following Qatar 2022, the Dutch camp has already moved quickly to fill his spot. In a follow-up statement, the national team revealed that Koeman has called up Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida to replace Timber on the roster. Even with the change, Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries is still expected to start at right-back; Dumfries sat out the Algeria friendly to undergo a medical examination ahead of his high-profile transfer to Real Madrid. Players from the UCL final joining the World Cup With the Champions League final taking place on May 30, most of the players involved missed the first week of international training camp. Yet, of all the European stars who featured in the club finale, Timber appears to be the only one to suffer a tournament-ending setback. While multiple players are now integrating into camps or logging minutes in pre-World Cup tune-ups, France had its own scare regarding Arsenal defender William Saliba. Saliba missed Les Bleus‘ matchup against Ivory Coast due to back tightness, but he has already returned to the pitch for Monday’s friendly against Northern Ireland.
