There’s something bittersweet about this summer’s World Cup for France. For the first time in over a decade, Les Bleus will walk onto the pitch without the assurance of Didier Deschamps shouting instructions from the sideline. After 14 years, three finals, and one championship, this tournament marks the end of an era. And if things go according to plan, it’ll also mark France’s third star.
Deschamps has already achieved something only one other manager in history has done. Winning the 2018 World Cup made him only the third person to lift the trophy as both player and manager, joining an exclusive club that includes Germany’s Helmut Schön and Brazil’s Mario Zagallo. But Vittorio Pozzo remains untouchable. The Italian is still the only manager to win two World Cups, back-to-back in 1934 and 1938. Deschamps has a chance to match that, and honestly, this might be his best shot.
The squad speaks for itself. Kylian Mbappé is still Mbappé, which means he’s still one of the most dangerous players on the planet. He already has 12 World Cup goals in just 14 matches. Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 across four tournaments is very much in sight, and if France goes deep in this competition,Mbappé will almost certainly surpass it. That’s the kind of milestone that defines careers.
But Mbappé isn’t the only reason to be excited about this French attack. Michael Olise has been sensational for Bayern Munich, and many scouts believe he’s the player most likely to explode onto the world stage this summer. Then there’s Désiré Doué, the 21-year-old PSG winger who just wrapped up a season with seven goals and three assists in Ligue 1, plus five more in their Champions League run. He brings a directness and explosiveness that fits perfectly in a side that already has plenty of pace.
The timing feels right for a new star to emerge. Euro 2024 was a struggle for France. They exited at the semifinals with a goal difference that’s frankly embarrassing for a team of their talent, having failed to score from open play in several matches. That Tournament exposed some real issues with creativity and finishing, problems that Deschamps has had to address heading into this World Cup.
What’s different now? The squad depth, for starters. Ousmane Dembélé is back in form. Olise adds a different dimension as an inside forward. Doué gives them raw youth and fearlessness. Against a group containing Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, France should smooth out those qualifying jitters and make it through comfortably.
The broadcast side of things has also evolved significantly since 2022. Fans have more options than ever to watch every match, whether through traditional cable, streaming apps, or the newer direct-to-consumer services. Fox One, the direct-to-consumer offering from Fox, launched last year and gives viewers access to the full portfolio including FS1 and Fox Deportes. Meanwhile, Peacock continues to carry the Spanish-language broadcast for those who prefer that coverage. The growth of these streaming platforms has genuinely changed how we consume major tournaments, making it easier than ever to follow your team whether you’re at home or traveling abroad.
For those planning to watch from outside their home country, the options have expanded considerably too. Beyond the traditional broadcasting deals, there’s now a whole ecosystem of streaming services and platforms that bring major sporting events to international audiences. It’s a shift that’s worth considering if you’ve found yourself struggling to catch games in previous tournaments.
As for the football, here’s what makes this French team interesting. They have experience, obviously, but they also have hungry young players stepping into bigger roles at exactly the right moment. The 2022 final loss to Argentina still stings, and you’d better believe that motivates this group. Deschamps has built a culture where anything less than reaching the final feels like a failure, even though that’s an impossibly high standard.
Whether France actually wins the whole thing depends on the usual suspects: staying healthy, avoiding early upsets, and Mbappé delivering when it matters most. But given the talent on display and a manager who knows exactly what it takes to win this Tournament, France enters as one of the clear favorites. This is Deschamps’ farewell tour, and you get the sense he wants to leave with one last moment of glory. The players will be playing for him as much as themselves.
