France’s formidable attack draws comparisons to football’s greatest forward lines

By Arjun Nair / 02.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 1 July 2026 — 4 min read

France‘s attacking prowess, spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise, has led to comparisons with some of football’s most celebrated forward lines. This formidable trio, alongside Bradley Barcola, has been responsible for a significant majority of the team’s goals in the current World Cup campaign.

The team’s offensive strength has been a key factor in their progression to the last 16. With Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise contributing 11 goals and nine assists across four matches, and Barcola adding two goals and one assist, France has demonstrated an ability to consistently overwhelm opponents.

Tactical adjustments and player synergy

Didier Deschamps, France’s coach, has been noted for his continuous reinvention of the team since taking charge in 2012. He has a reputation for making tactical adjustments mid-tournament to optimise his squad’s performance. This approach appears to be evident in the current World Cup, with Deschamps prioritising getting the most out of Mbappé.

Mbappé, at 27 years old, prefers to be actively involved in play rather than solely acting as a finisher. Deschamps’ challenge has been to integrate him as a number nine while ensuring the rest of the team functions effectively. Initially, France employed a system that was described as a lopsided 4-2-4 or a 4-2-3-1 during qualifying matches.

In the opening game against Senegal, France adopted a similar setup. However, as the match progressed, Deschamps identified areas of friction and made adjustments. Off the ball, France defended in a 4-4-2 formation, with Mbappé and Dembélé leading the press. Concerns arose regarding the distances between the attackers and the midfield duo of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni, which Senegal exploited.

In possession, Tchouameni would drop deep to form a back three with William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano. The midfield structure also saw Theo Hernandez and Olise taking more inverted positions, flanking Rabiot. Deschamps made changes at half-time against Senegal and has continued to refine the system since.

Impact of positional changes

A significant tactical change has involved swapping the roles of Olise and Dembélé. Moving the Ballon d’Or winner from a central role to the right of midfield has had positive effects both in and out of possession. Dembélé’s increased work-rate from a wider position has contributed to a more solid defensive unit for France.

Instead of pressing high in a 4-4-2 against Senegal’s possession, Deschamps shifted his side into a more compact 4-4-1-1, focusing on blocking space. This adjustment provided better protection for Rabiot and Tchouameni in midfield, making France more difficult to penetrate.

Olise’s central positioning has also benefited Mbappé, with the Bayern Munich player proving adept at threading through balls. This has made launching dangerous counter-attacks more viable for France. While Dembélé is effective in central attacking midfield, his natural tendency to drop deep could reduce France’s presence in the box. Olise, who considers number 10 his best position, naturally stays deeper before making runs into the box, a dynamic that has worked well during longer attacking spells.

In settled attacking possession, Jules Kounde is now positioned more centrally. He still advances up the pitch but from this position, he can provide immediate cover if possession is lost. He also acts as a decoy, drawing defenders away from the winger or making late overlapping runs. Dembélé has thrived in this system, excelling against Senegal and scoring a hat-trick against Norway from the right-wing position.

Depth and collective strength

France’s attacking depth extends beyond the starting lineup. Barcola has scored twice despite sharing minutes with Desire Doué on the left wing, and Rayan Cherki offers another impactful option from the bench. Other attacking players like Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marcus Thuram provide further options, highlighting the fierce competition within the squad.

Deschamps has successfully instilled a collective work ethic, even among his elite forwards, ensuring they contribute defensively. Mbappé, as captain, exemplifies this commitment to the team. This emphasis on collective spirit is considered crucial, as its absence can lead to match losses.

France has scored 13 goals in four games, with 12 of these coming from Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, and Barcola. Olise has provided five assists, placing him one short of equaling Pelé‘s World Cup record of six assists in 1970. Mbappé and Olise have combined for six World Cup goals, a record for any attacking duo in tournament history.

Source: theguardian.com