Desailly: Mbappe, Dembele, and Deschamps Hold Key to France's Third World Cup Crown

France enter the 2026 World Cup as genuine contenders for a third global crown, and Marcel Desailly is backing his country to deliver. The legendary defender has pinpointed the precise ingredients that could spark Les Bleus to triumph in what promises to be the tournament's defining storyline.

The competition kicks off on June 11 with co-hosts Mexico and South Africa meeting at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, now renamed the Banorte Stadium. France's journey begins ten days later when they face Senegal on June 16 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—a stern examination right out of the gate. Group I also features Iraq and Norway as they navigate the path to the knockout phase.

Sitting second in the betting odds behind European champions Spain, Didier Deschamps' squad carry the weight of 1998 and 2018 pedigree. Victory this summer would complete an extraordinary trilogy.

Speaking exclusively, Desailly identified Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele as the twin pillars upon which France's ambitions rest. The Real Madrid captain and PSG's reigning Ballon d'Or winner embody the mentality required for championship football, according to the 1998 World Cup winner.

"Mbappe is the captain. Everybody acknowledges his leadership," Desailly explained. "There is not yet any problem around him in the French national team. Most of them are from the same generation; they were or they are great friends."

The defining quality separating champions from also-rans, Desailly argued, lies in an insatiable hunger for victory. Despite chasing individual accolades, Mbappe remains fully committed to the collective cause. Dembele, meanwhile, carries the psychological edge of winning—both the Ballon d'Or this year and the Champions League trophy with PSG on Saturday.

"They have the winning mentality," Desailly noted. "When you have the winning mentality, you have a taste for victory, so you can erase all the little conflicts that might come up right and left. Dembele has it from 2018. Mbappe has it also—they almost made it again in 2022 in Qatar."

Yet the triumvirate extends beyond the pitch. Deschamps himself completes the picture, a manager who understands the demands of world domination having previously guided France to the summit. His presence amplifies the standards set by his star performers.

"They bring the rest of the team with them," Desailly said. "On top of that, they have a coach who also has that culture of a winning mentality. It brings a great combination. Everybody is ready to compete and be an extra value for that."

Even tournament newcomers such as Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche will inevitably absorb the winning culture surrounding them. For any player arriving at the French camp, the message is clear: adapt to excellence or get left behind.

"France is already a successful team," Desailly concluded. "So when you join, you need to adapt to the system and bring that value for the collective, more than creating chaos, problems, and trying to get a piece of the cake for yourself."