France Eyes World Cup Glory After Convincing Qualification Win

Following a resounding 4-0 victory over Ukraine, the French national football team has officially secured its place in the 2026 World Cup, setting their sights on the ultimate prize. The qualification celebration at Parc des Princes was marked by nostalgic music including Joe Dassin’s “L’Amérique,” a nod to coach Didier Deschamps, who missed playing in the U.S. earlier in his career. Captain Kylian Mbappé was unequivocal about the team’s ambitions, stating, “If the goal is to reach the semi-finals, what do we do? We go to the semi-finals and go home? No, the goal is to win. It will be tough, but we are preparing for it.”

Coach Deschamps acknowledged the challenges posed by the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams and the logistical complexities involved. The tournament will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the draw scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Thanks to France’s strong FIFA ranking, they will be a top seed, potentially avoiding some of the strongest opponents in the group stage.

In preparation, the French team is considering staging a training camp in the U.S. among 65 FIFA-approved locations, with a final decision expected by January 9. Further plans include an international tour in March featuring matches against the United States and Brazil and additional friendlies in June to acclimatize players to the conditions ahead of the World Cup.