FIFA World Cup
France’s Shock Defeat and Mbappé’s Concerns Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Les Bleus suffered a surprise loss to Ivory Coast in a friendly, raising questions as they look to return to the top of world football.… Show More
Les Bleus suffered a surprise loss to Ivory Coast in a friendly, raising questions as they look to return to the top of world football.
France remains among the leading favorites to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy. Their squad is still one of the most talented in world football, packed with players capable of changing a match in an instant.
However, recent friendly matches have raised concerns and sparked debate over whether Les Bleus will arrive at the World Cup in peak condition.
A WAKE-UP CALL
The defeat to Ivory Coast was one of the most eye-catching results of the international window. Beyond the scoreline, France struggled to impose its rhythm, looked vulnerable defensively, and displayed a level of fragility rarely associated with a team that has long been defined by its competitive strength.
The performance exposed collective issues that had already surfaced in previous matches and remain unresolved.
IS DESCHAMPS THE PROBLEM?
Much of the scrutiny has inevitably fallen on Didier Deschamps. The France manager is a national icon, and his achievements—including the 2018 World Cup title and a runner-up finish in Qatar 2022—are beyond dispute.
Yet after more than a decade in charge, there are growing signs that the project may be losing momentum. The team appears less dynamic, its tactical approach no longer catches opponents by surprise, and criticism of a style considered too conservative for the talent available has become increasingly common.
The feeling is that France continues to compete thanks largely to the extraordinary quality of its players rather than the collective dominance that once set the team apart. Instead of providing reassurance, the recent friendlies have only increased doubts about France's ability to reinvent itself before the World Cup.
THE KYLIAN MBAPPE FACTOR
Adding to the uncertainty is the situation surrounding Kylian Mbappe. The forward remains the face of the national team, but he is going through one of the most challenging periods of his recent career.
His move to Real Madrid generated enormous expectations, and while his individual numbers remain impressive, questions about his adaptation, his influence in major matches, and his fit within the team's structure have persisted. The media spotlight surrounding Mbappé continues to intensify, and his performances no longer appear as untouchable as they once did.
For France, that presents an additional concern. For years, Mbappe has been the player capable of deciding games on his own whenever the collective performance fell short. If he does not reach the World Cup at his best, the weaknesses exposed in recent friendlies could become even more apparent.
TURNING THE PAGE
There is still time for France to address its shortcomings, and the squad possesses enough quality to challenge for the title.
However, the loss to Ivory Coast, the increasingly evident fatigue surrounding Deschamps' long tenure, and the questions surrounding Mbappé paint a far more uncertain picture than many expected from one of football's traditional powerhouses heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
