FRANCE

Football has given Upamecano a voice that he had struggled to find. "When I was at school, I had a lot of difficulties … I had a stammer. Some of my schoolmates made fun of me," the Bayern Munich defender once said. "But on the pitch, I have always been [vocal]. People said: 'Dayot, he doesn't speak a lot, but when he's playing football, he shouts!'" He added: "People have often told me that I'm not the same on the pitch as I am off it. In life, I am quite calm and reserved but when I get on the pitch, I am like a lion coming out of a cage!" He has been doing more than just fine, growing as a presence for club and country and asserting himself as a first-choice option for both. Joined Bayern Munich in 2022 from RB Leipzig.

Didier Deschamps has previously referred to France's problem of producing full-backs, and within that context, Koundé has emerged as a solution, albeit not a willing one initially. "I learnt to accept it because, subconsciously, I think you create blockages by being negative, and I must admit that I have in the past," says the Barcelona defender, a centre-back by trade but who now plays on the right for club and country. His discomfort in the position relates to the attacking demands. He is not the most eye-catching in that sense, but he certainly catches the eye off the pitch thanks to his bold fashion choices. "It is a part of my personality; I like to dress well," says Koundé, who has made the right-back slot his own at international level.

In any normal team, the parts would be fitted around the Ballon d'Or winner, but that is not the case with France. Speaking alongside Didier Deschamps at an awards ceremony at the end of the 2024-25 season, Dembélé detailed why his move into the No 9 role for PSG had proved so beneficial, to the extent that he was the catalyst behind Les Parisiens' maiden Champions League trophy. Dembélé knows that Deschamps won't follow Luis Enrique's lead. "He still plays me on the right!" joked Dembélé. "I'll put you on the left," responded Deschamps. In any case, the central role is Mbappé's. On a serious note, getting the best out of Dembélé remains something of a headache for Deschamps. The Ballon d'Or winner's form at club level has not been replicated at international level, where he has just seven goals in 58 appearances at the time of writing.

Big-money moves always garner the most scrutiny, but judging their success is not always easy, especially for a midfielder, whose effectiveness is not necessarily reflected in stats. But there is a telling one: nearly 200 appearances for Real Madrid in under four years. Those have come since Tchouaméni’s €100m move from Monaco back in 2022. Despite the presence of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric for much of that time, to have racked up so many appearances is a testament to his importance. He is equally crucial for France; on his current trajectory, he could be on course to make 100 appearances for Les Bleus. Jules Koundé, who knows him well, having come through the academy with him at Bordeaux, describes Tchouaméni as a "discreet and calm" character and that transmits on the pitch, where his ability to screen the defence is so valuable for club and country. There was nothing calm about his confrontation with Real teammate Fede Valverde in May, however, with the Uruguayan ending up in hospital, requiring stitches.

Mbappé is chasing records in North America. Starting the tournament four goals away from Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16, the France forward has an obsession with writing history. However, it is collective titles that drive Mbappé. After winning Ligue 1 in his first full season at Monaco, he piled up the trophies at PSG before joining Real Madrid in 2024. The goals have flowed at Real to the tune of 86 in 103 games, but the major honours have not followed. There was fierce criticism over a trip to Sardinia in May while he recovered from an injury, with some Real fans accusing him of already looking ahead to the World Cup. Club issues aside, Mbappé remains essential for France. The teenager who won the World Cup in 2018 and earned the Golden Boot in the last tournament is now aiming to captain his side to victory this summer.

Olise had a multitude of options but only ever had eyes for France. The Bayern Munich forward, born in London, could also have represented England, Algeria or Nigeria at international level. "I have this connection with France," said Olise following his first call-up for the senior side. Creating a connection with his France teammates was initially tough for Olise, who has had a language barrier to overcome, as became evident during his first appearance before the media. "When I think that there is potential, I persist," said Didier Deschamps. He was right to. Olise is the long-term successor to Antoine Griezmann, who was so valuable for Les Bleus for a decade prior to his international retirement. Olise's nonchalance, both on and off the pitch, make him a difficult player to decrypt; an enigma of sorts, but an extremely talented one.