Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFrance are putting together their final World Cup preparations knowing that they will be carrying the weight of expectation into the tournament once again this summer.Didier Deschamps has another typically stacked squad to choose from in North America, not least in the forward positions, where he can call upon one of the international games most clinical attacking corps.That forward line is led by skipper Kylian Mbappe, with Ousmane Dembele also going into this tournament as the reigning Ballon dOr winner - but does that present Deschamps with a problem or a luxury?Olivier Giroud on Frances fearsome front line Olivier Giroud earned 137 international caps during a career which saw him break the all-time French goalscoring record and he is backing Frances star duo to shine on the biggest stage this summer.People talk about having multiple stars in a team and ask if they can work together but, listen, its a brilliant thing to have in a national team, Giroud tells FourFourTwo. You may like France squad World Cup 2026: Didier Deschamps' team look to go one better than four years ago How to watch Kylian Mbappe at the 2026 FIFA World Cup 'Kylian Mbappe was something new for French football, and he's already an all-time great' Clairefontaine, pressure and pressing: ESPN journalist Julien Laurens on how France's captain reached the top Its also important to know that Ousmane and Kylian are very close they love each other like brothers and theyre both great guys as well.Having spent 14 years playing for the French national team during which time he went to seven major tournaments, Giroud knows plenty about squad depth and he sees something special in Les Bleus current set-up.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The amount of strikers that we have and the level of talent in that dressing room is fantastic, he adds. The offensive talent France possesses is special.Rather than being rivals, Giroud insists Mbappe and Dembele will work together effectively this summer.They can both lead the team this summer and, if we play to the level I know we can, and defend well on top of that, theres no reason why we cant go all the way with players like those two.This will be the first World Cup since 2010 that Giroud will have to suffice with watching on TV, but the quality his former strike partner possesses means it will be enjoyable regardless.Im really looking forward to watching Kylian and the whole French team this summer, he smiles.Hes the kind of player you meet only once in a career. Hes a very special person. I hope to see him lifting that trophy again.TOPICSFranceWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromEd McCambridgeStaff Writer
