France head into the World Cup as one of the top contenders, boasting a squad so deep that even their second-choice lineup might stand a genuine chance of lifting the trophy.
In their final warm-up fixture, France comfortably defeated Northern Ireland 3-1, driven by a brilliant hat-trick from Michael Olise. As the team travels across the Atlantic, no opponent will be eagerly anticipating a clash with Les Bleus.
Didier Deschamps appeared to field his first-choice XI against Michael O’Neill’s side, but if those players were unavailable, what would France’s second-string team look like? Here’s a look at a backup French XI that could realistically compete for the World Cup title on its own.
With Mike Maignan the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, the reserve spot falls to Lens’ talented 21-year-old Robin Risser.
Risser recorded 11 clean sheets for the side that finished second in Ligue 1 — only Lille’s Berke Ozer managed more across the campaign.
As is often the case with Chelsea players, it will be intriguing to see how Malo Gusto performs away from the constant turbulence of Stamford Bridge.
Gusto is expected to start from the bench for France, given Jules Kounde’s consistency, but his assist in the second half against Northern Ireland might have strengthened his cause for inclusion.
Liverpool’s departing centre-back Ibrahima Konate could easily start for Deschamps, though he was benched in favour of Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba.
Konate might have been an automatic selection a year ago, but a somewhat inconsistent final season at Anfield has likely relegated him to a secondary role.
That hasn’t deterred Real Madrid, who have once again shown interest in the defender.
Meanwhile, another French defender’s stock is rapidly rising — after an exceptional season with Crystal Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta has become a name to watch in international football.
Mateta featured in 35 Premier League games for the Eagles, earning his World Cup call-up. While he may serve as a backup in this tournament, his age and development suggest he could become a regular starter in future competitions.
On the left flank, Lucas Hernandez’s brother, Theo Hernandez, began the friendly against Northern Ireland, but Lucas remains more than capable of stepping in when needed.
The left-back position could go either to Lucas or Lucas Digne. While Digne has continued to perform solidly at Aston Villa, he is now 32. Lucas, on the other hand, featured 25 times for PSG during their domestic double-winning campaign.
In midfield, the defensively disciplined Bryan Cristante — who plies his trade at Roma — has been one of the Italian club’s standout performers, helping them secure a third-place finish.
Youngster Warren Zaire-Emery, just 20, seems destined to play a central role for both France and PSG in the coming years. Operating at an elite level already, he has made 183 club appearances but only 11 for the national team so far — a figure expected to rise significantly during this World Cup. Should Adrien Rabiot or Aurelien Tchouameni struggle, Zaire-Emery is ready to step in.
Monaco’s 24-year-old midfielder Maghnes Akliouche also looks bound for a big move soon. He netted six goals and provided six assists for the club this season, earning nine international caps so far. With two years left on his contract, a strong World Cup showing could attract major offers.
Rayan Cherki, overflowing with creativity and flair, would walk into most other national teams as a starter. However, with Ousmane Dembele ahead of him, Cherki will need to make his mark from the bench. Deschamps values his technical brilliance and ability to change games — qualities that could prove vital in the later stages of the competition.
PSG’s Bradley Barcola is another attacking option in this stacked squad. He scored 11 goals for the French champions last season and has already earned 20 caps for the national side, netting three times. His versatility across the front line makes him a valuable asset for Deschamps.
Up front, Marcus Thuram is unlikely to displace Kylian Mbappe but remains a reliable deputy. The Inter Milan forward scored 13 goals in 29 Serie A appearances this season. However, his record for France has been modest, with just three goals from 34 senior caps.
Even with this so-called ‘second XI’, France’s talent pool is staggering — a testament to the nation’s unmatched depth and the steady hand of Deschamps guiding them into another World Cup campaign.
