Today, on September 5 in Wrocław, the Ukraine national team will play a match against France as part of the World Cup 2026 qualification tournament. Here is our opponent. 

France

General Information

As of July 2025, the French team held third place in the official FIFA ranking. The first match in history for the France national team was played on May 1, 1904 against Belgium (3:3), their biggest victory came on November 18, 2023 over Gibraltar (14:0), and their worst defeat occurred on October 22, 1908 to Denmark (1:17). Nicknames: blue and tricolors.  

The France national team has twice won the title of World Cup champion (1998, 2018) and twice that of European Champion (1984, 2000). In 2001 and 2003 they became the Confederations Cup champions, in 1984 they won Olympic gold, and in 2021 — UEFA Nations League gold. 

Squad 

In the World Cup-2026 qualifier against Ukraine, head coach of the French team Didier Deschamps will be able to count on 23 players.

France National Team Squad

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan («Milan», Italy), Lucas Chevalier («PSG»), Brice Samba («Rennes»).

Defenders: Lucas Digne («Aston Villa», England), Malo Gusto («Chelsea», England), Theo Hernández («Al-Hilal», Saudi Arabia), Ibrahima Konaté («Liverpool», England), Jules Koundé («Barcelona», Spain), Benjamin Pavard («Inter», Italy), Dayot Upamecano («Bayern Munich», Germany), Lucas Hernández («PSG»).

Midfielders: Manu Koné («Roma», Italy), Orel Mangane Thiamení («Real Madrid», Spain), Hervéin Türam («Juventus», Italy), Désiré Doue («PSG»), Adrien Rabiot («Marseille»).

Forwards: Magnus Aklıuş («Monaco»), Youssoufa Kéïta («Liverpool», England), Kylian Mbappé («Real Madrid», Spain), Michael Olise («Bayern Munich», Germany), Marcus Thuram («Inter», Italy), Bradley Barkley, Ousmane Dembélé (both — «PSG»).

Head Coach

56-year-old French specialist Didier Deschamps has been coaching the national team of France since July 2012. He replaced Laurent Blanc on this position. 

Prior to that, Deschamps worked with «Monaco», «Juventus» and «Marseille». With the last team he became champion of France, three times — winner of the French League Cup and twice — winner of the French Super Cup. He reached the final of the UEFA Champions League-2003/2004 with Monaco. World Champion 2018 and Euro 2016 finalist with the France national team. Silver medalist at the 2022 World Cup. Winner of the UEFA Nations League-2020/2021. In 2018 he was named FIFA Coach of the Year and French Coach of the Year.

Under his leadership, the national team has played 169 matches. The tricolors have won 107 games, drew 34 times, and lost 28. 

Leader

The undisputed leader of today's France national team is forward Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid. The 26-year-old Mbappé has played 90 matches for the French national team, scoring 50 goals. With the blues he became World Champion in 2018 and UEFA Nations League winner-2020/2021.

With «PSG», he won six league titles (2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024), twice — the French League Cup (2017/2018, 2019/2020), four times — the French Cup (2017/2018, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2023/2024) and three times — the French Super Cup (2019, 2020, 2023). He won the title of champion of France with «Monaco» (2016/2017).

With «Real Madrid», he became the winner of the UEFA Super Cup (2024) and the Intercontinental Cup (2024).

Kylian Mbappé was named best young player at the 2018 World Cup. Six times he has been the top scorer in Ligue 1 (2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024) and twice — French Footballer of the Year (2018, 2019). Winner of the Golden Boot-2024/2025. Top scorer at the World Cup 2022 (8 goals). Top scorer in the UEFA Champions League-2023/2024 (8 goals).

Mbappé is a versatile player who most often plays as a winger, both on the left and right flank. Kylian demonstrates excellent technique and excels at dribbling. He can play in attack but also serves as an excellent passer, making many key assists.