France - a team with an 'overabundance' of players at the World Cup.

Which country boasts the most talented football players in the world? Many fans would answer without hesitation, obviously, France.

Mbappe is just one of France's current superstars - Photo: REUTERS

Four and two years ago, respectively, France participated in the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, with Mbappe as the number one symbol in the team. He stood in the most prominent position on every poster and banner related to the French national football team.

The world's most expensive squad: 1.47 billion euros.

But now, Mbappe will have to share his star position with quite a few teammates – whose career status is no less impressive than his, and even surpasses him in terms of performance.

These include Ousmane Dembele - the reigning Ballon d'Or winner and the top contender for this year's Ballon d'Or, or Michael Olise - a star who rose rapidly through the ranks at Bayern Munich. We also can't forget Kante - a senior figure in the team, or Saliba - the leader of the defense...

A prime example is the graphic poster published by L'Equipe on May 15th, where coach Didier Deschamps announced the World Cup squad, with Olise being the one chosen for the most prominent position.

A poster featuring the list of 26 French players for the World Cup was published by L'Equipe on May 15th - Photo: L'Equipe

According to Transfermarkt statistics, the squad that Deschamps brought to North America this summer also has the highest market value among the 48 teams. The total valuation of the 26 French players is 1.47 billion euros, slightly higher than the 1.32 billion euros of the English team.

At least three of those 26 players are superstar Ballon d'Or contenders – Mbappe, Dembele, and Olise. This trio forms a dream attacking line-up.

The French national team boasts such a wealth of talent that their "back-and-forth" squad is what truly stands out. Specifically, Deschamps didn't call up many notable names such as Kolo Muani, Coman, Nkunku, Camavinga, Pavard... Not to mention injured stars like Ekitike.

The challenge lies behind the scenes.

"A crisis of excess" is always the term used for teams like this, where the list of players not selected often attracts more attention than the list of those selected.

Thanks to his immense status and prestige gained over many years of managing the team, coach Didier Deschamps faced little pressure from the media when he decided to drop some of the star players. However, he still had to contend with many challenges when bringing a team full of stars to the World Cup.

First, there will be a balance within the "power group" of Mbappe - Dembele - Olise. Below them are Thuram, Doue, Cherki, Barcola..., all superstars capable of starting for any team, often playing a central role.

Under Deschamps, he successfully removed the big egos from the team. At the 2018 World Cup, fans witnessed Paul Pogba transform from a boisterous player into someone willing to sacrifice for the team.

After a somewhat shaky Euro 2020 (held in 2021), France regained its image of unity and progress at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. Although they didn't win, the "Roosters" progressed far in both tournaments.

Heading into the 2026 World Cup, France will be in its most talented squad in two decades, since the legendary generation of Zidane, Blanc, Henry, and others. This also presents managerial challenges for Deschamps.

Coach Deschamps ruthlessly dropped players deemed unsuitable for the French national team - Photo: REUTERS

Remember that at Euro 2020, conflict was on the verge of erupting when France were eliminated early. Fans witnessed a noisy argument between the "parents," sparked by Rabiot's mother, spreading to Pogba's mother, and then Mbappe's father...

On the pitch, coach Deschamps tried to control things, but the atmosphere of discord was still somewhat evident through the on-field arguments of some key players.

This incident was eventually resolved amicably thanks to coach Deschamps' "iron fist in a velvet glove," but it could easily resurface if France struggles at this year's World Cup. A team with too many stars is always a team prone to chaos in the dressing room.

Let's see how Deschamps will manage all those strengths, as well as all those weaknesses, in his final World Cup as coach of the French national team.

There are varying assessments of the top contender for the 2026 World Cup title. Many bookmakers rate Spain as the strongest contender, with odds ranging from 4/1 (bet 1, win 4) to 5/1.

Some bookmakers have chosen France, with nearly identical odds. Overall, France is one of the two top contenders for the 2026 World Cup title.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phap-doi-bong-khung-hoang-thua-tai-world-cup-2026052512584353.htm