France arrive at the World Cup as one of the obvious favorites, and it is not difficult to see why when you start building their strongest XI.
Didier Deschamps may have the deepest squad in the tournament, especially in attack, where France can leave elite forwards on the bench and still name a front four that looks unfair on paper.
This is not a prediction of what Deschamps will pick. He has earned the right to trust his own instincts, and France will change shape depending on the opponent. But if the final arrived tomorrow and the strongest possible side had to start, this would be the XI that should scare everyone in North America.
France’s best XI for the World Cup
Mike Maignan feels like the no-brainer in goal. He has the authority, experience and shot-stopping quality France need behind a defense that should still be among the best in the tournament.
Jules Kounde may not be coming off his best club form, but he remains a high-level defender and gives France an attacking threat from right-back. William Saliba is just as obvious at center-back — the anchor of Arsenal’s defense and one of the best in Europe.
Dayot Upamecano gets the nod next to him because he has been one of Deschamps’ most trusted defenders for years. Ibrahima Konate’s season means he likely begins on the bench.
Theo Hernandez is still the best left-back option, even with Lucas Digne offering experience and balance in reserve.
Midfield is where Deschamps may well go for Adrien Rabiot next to Aurelien Tchouaméni, and that would be understandable. But Warren Zaïre-Emery is the more exciting call.
Tchouaméni can play as the destroyer, read danger and give France control without the ball, while Zaïre-Emery has the technical quality and athleticism to take the next step as a world-class midfielder at this tournament.
Then comes the ridiculous part. France’s front four can be organized in so many different ways, but the best four attackers should play.
Kylian Mbappe is the best World Cup performer of this generation, Ousmane Dembele is a Ballon d’Or-winner, and Michael Olise has become one of the most complete creative forwards in the world.
The last spot could go to Rayan Cherki, Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola or Marcus Thuram without anyone complaining too loudly. But if this is about the best player, it has to be PSG sensation Desiree Doue.
That is a ridiculous starting XI, with room for plenty of chopping and changing depending on opponent, fitness and stakes.
But if France reach the World Cup final they look very capable of making, this is the team I would want Deschamps to trust from the start.
