World Cup 2026: France is one, free and bright – can anyone stop them?

It’s not just their destruction that should worry France’s World Cup contenders.

The spirit and unity of this talented Les Bleus squad should worry the rest of the competition – and it was on full display in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Sweden.

After Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning opener, France’s all-time leading goalscorer ran straight to his seat to hug Didier Deschamps.

The head coach was back in the dugout for the first time since returning from France to attend his mother’s funeral.

It was a very touching moment.

Later, Mbappé and Deschamps joined the team. A group hug followed.

After an emotional few days, the smile was back on Deschamps’ face on Saturday, July 4 (22:00 BST) as his side flashed style in the baking New Jersey heat to book a last 16 tie against Paraguay in Philadelphia.

“This team is united and they delivered in my absence (last week),” Deschamps continued.

“The team spirit of this team doesn’t win matches. But if it’s the other way around, I know you can lose games. Collective strength is paramount.”

“We know the coach has been through a lot, we are trying to give everything to make him happy as much as possible,” added midfielder Aurelian Chuameni.

Bradley Barkola made it 2-0 before Mbappe added a second to level the Golden Boot race with Argentina’s Lionel Messi on six goals.

Former England striker Ian Wright told ITV Sport.

“France are one of the clearest favorites I’ve ever seen at a World Cup.”

In the year Wright’s former Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, added: “They showed everyone that they are the team to beat.”

He is not wrong.

Also, Mbappe’s brilliant finish, Michael Olise, assisted in two other wins, bringing his tally to 5 goals for the tournament.

It was a breathless spectacle that made the 80,000 fans lucky enough to be in the stadium: Can anyone stop the France class of 2026?