France

Group I · 0 pts · 0 played

The deep dive — The permanent contender

Depth nobody else can touch. France could send two squads to this tournament and both would be seeded. They've reached two of the last two finals, Mbappé is 27 and captain, and Deschamps has said this is his last tournament after twelve years and a title. They reach the business end even in the years they play badly. That's been the pattern for a decade and it isn't luck.

Outright market

around 9/2 to 19/4

A fair favourite price, not a gift. The squad is frightening, but Group I means France start paying for it immediately.

Why they can win it

The floor is a semi-final. Even mediocre France tournaments end in the last four because the talent bails out the bad days.
Mbappé over 90 minutes is the most match-winning footballer in the field, and he already has a World Cup final hat-trick on his CV.
Deschamps' last tournament gives the camp a cause, and his knockout record is the best of anyone managing at this level.
Depth is the quiet currency of the new format. Eight games, heat, travel — France rotate six positions and drop nothing.

Why they can't

Group I is the worst draw any top seed got. Norway and Senegal mean France might be playing knockout-intensity football from day one.
They implode roughly once a decade — 2002, 2010 — and the squad-harmony rumours never fully die.
Deschamps can coach a final hour conservatively enough to hand braver teams the initiative, and against elite pressing that costs.

Key man

Mbappé, obviously. But watch Tchouaméni: when he wins the base of midfield, France don't lose.

X-factor

Désiré Doué. He turned the 2025 Champions League final into a personal showcase at 19. Tournaments make stars of exactly this profile.

Verdict: The most complete squad here. The group is a trap, but once France are in the knockouts nobody wants the fixture.