the pretty reservoir of the Blues to bet on for the 2026 World Cup
The France team lost in the final of the 2022 World Cup but has already targeted the 2026 World Cup to find the top of the football planet. In the wake of Kylian Mbappé, the Blues have no shortage of young talents in Ligue 1 and in Europe.
Unhappy finalist of the 2022 World Cup against Argentina (3-3, 2 tab to 4), Kylian Mbappé does not intend to stop on failure. At just 24 years old, the PSG and France team striker has already made an appointment with French supporters. “We will come back”, soberly wrote the striker of the Blues.
A way of remembering that Euro 2024 and especially the World Cup 2026 will arrive quickly. In just under four years in North America (Canada, United States and Mexico), Kylian Mbappé will be part of the France team in the years to come.
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These expected players in jail
Like the striker, who no longer hesitates to give voice in the locker room as was the case during the final against the Albiceleste, several internationals already in place will have to take up more space in the French group.
In central defense, we think in particular of Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté who perfectly replaced Presnel Kimpembe in Qatar. Also from the trip to the Gulf, Axel Disasi played under the orders of Didier Deschamps or his eventual successor to settle permanently in the workforce. Just like William Saliba whose performances at Arsenal portend a bright future. It also remains to be seen how Jules Koundé, Benjamin Pavard and the Hernandez brothers will be used.
Crowned in 2018 but absent during the 2022 World Cup, N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba will be 35 and 33 years old respectively in the summer of 2026. Not sure that they will still be with the Blues by then. Luxury substitutes in Qatar, Adrien Rabiot (27) and Aurélien Tchouameni (22) have taken the lead to take on the role of bosses in the midfield. Ditto for Eduardo Camavinga (20 years old) who scored points by helping out at the left side position. Substitutes in Qatar, and despite a complicated match against Tunisia, Mattéo Guendouzi (23) and Youssouf Fofana (23) have not lost everything. In goal, if Hugo Lloris stops (which is not recorded) the Milanese Mike Maignan seems well on his way to succeeding him and Alban Lafont could also grab a few capes.
In addition to Kylian Mbappé, and despite the international retirement of Karim Benzema or even perhaps that of Olivier Giroud in the more or less long term, the tricolor attack is not lacking in promising young people. A little less prominent than his partners, Ousmane Dembélé remains a talented player. The Barcelonan will have to confirm his new starting status. Ditto for Kingsley Coman who took off with the Blues. Finally, authors of good entries during the lost final, Marcus Thuram (25 years old) and Randal Kolo Muani (24 years old) showed great things. Last minute package in Qatar, Christopher Nkunku has everything to become the logical successor to Antoine Griezmann in support of the attackers. Provided, of course, to properly negotiate his future transfer to Chelsea.
These players are no longer far from the Blues
Apart from the players called up to make up for the absences, Didier Deschamps did not call up any surprise player during the 2022 World Cup. However, certain talents from Ligue 1 or the major championships seem capable of knocking on the door of the French team in the next months.
Jonathan Ikoné took a little time to digest his departure from Lille to Fiorentina. But with his four selections (one goal), the attacking midfielder is one of the profiles sought to prepare for the future. This observation also applies to Moussa Diaby. At 23, the Leverkusen winger does not seem very far from the tricolor group even if he missed the cut for the World Cup. In L1, the performances of Martin Terrier will probably present themselves with meticulousness in Rennes. Just like those of Boubacar Kamara in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
This is also the case for many Espoirs or former Bleuets players who have been under the orders of Sylvain Ripoll in recent years. Logically, the name of the Milanese Pierre Kalulu returns in the discussions. Ditto for Mohamed Simakan, the new internationals Adrien Truffert and Benoit Badiashile or the Lyonnais Malo Gusto and Maxence Caqueret. What about Wesley Fofana (22), the youngest French defender in history since his transfer to Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
In the middle, Manu Koné (Mönchengladbach) and Khéphren Thuram (Nice) hope to join Marcus Thuram, whom they both know very well. But to get there, they may have to join a more upscale club or play regularly in the Champions League to show their qualities at the top European level.
These promising players who have yet to confirm
The tricolor reservoir seems quite rich among the Hopes even if some will still have to confirm in club to hope to pass a new level and join the France team. As for OL, all eyes are necessarily on Castello Lukeba and fan favorite Rayan Cherki. Often in sight in Ligue 1, the Rennais Arnaud Kalimuendo and Amine Gouiri will also have to chain the good months to seduce the tricolor coach.
They may be called upon to have a chance in selection in the coming years. If Bayern bet 20 million euros to snatch him from Rennes at just 17 years old before the launch and in the Champions League, it is because Mathys Tel has shown great potential. It’s up to the young striker to confirm. The topo is the same for the former Toulousain Amine Adli, who made his ranges at Bayer Leverkusen.
The situation is similar for his former Rennes teammates, Désiré Doué and Lesley Ugochukwu, who were able to stand out when Bruno Genesio called on them in Ligue 1 or the Europa League this season. In defense, Lille’s Bafodé Diakité (14 L1 games this season) could take advantage of his versatility to slip into a few lists with the Espoirs or even with the Blues in the event of injury.
It also remains to be seen how the young scorers Hugo Ekitiké (20 years old) and Elye Wahi (19 years old) will continue with PSG and Montpellier. On the Premier League side, the careers of goalkeeper Illan Meslier (Leeds) and striker Sékou Mara (Southampton). With so many promising young people, the coach of the Blues will not lack solutions to build a group capable of competing with the best teams in the world during the 2026 World Cup.