Sun Sets on a Golden Generation

It all began against Ukraine, and now, the beginning of the end for a historic generation starts against the very same opponent. In 2014, a packed Stade de France witnessed a legendary comeback as France, on the brink of collapse, overturned a playoff deficit to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil. That was the first major triumph for manager Didier Deschamps, who had inherited a fractured squad plagued by internal disputes. Four years later, he led that team to the pinnacle of world football, securing Les Bleus’ second World Cup title in Russia.

Eleven years on from that turning point, France begins its campaign for the 2026 World Cup in Poland against Ukraine, marking the final chapter of a 13-year era defined more by success than failure. This will be the last tournament cycle for Deschamps, who, despite facing numerous critics and skeptics of his methods, has held his position with impeccable internal management. His tenure has been unassailable, having navigated countless crises while leading his team to three major tournament finals—two World Cups and one European Championship.

The current French squad bears little resemblance to the veteran group that relied on the unexpected heroics of Mamadou Sakho, then one of Europe’s most promising defenders, in that 2014 playoff. The golden generation of 2018 has largely moved on, replaced by a new wave of talent. Youngsters like Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Aurélien Tchouaméni now complement a roster headlined by two of the world’s best players, Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé, a duo tasked with leading France’s quest for a third star.

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However, the partnership between Mbappé and Dembélé has yet to fully solidify on the international stage. Last year, Mbappé, who has started the current season in blistering form, faced criticism for missing two consecutive national team call-ups. Meanwhile, Dembélé established himself as one of Europe’s most decisive players at PSG. Deschamps has struggled to maximize their combined potential, as both players tend to operate with freedom in the same areas of the pitch, a problem evident in the Nations League semi-final against Spain. Unlocking their synergy remains a key challenge for the manager during this qualifying campaign. Dembélé, who is carrying a minor knock, may not start the match.

With William Saliba injured, France remains wary of Ukraine. The ongoing war has deeply affected the national team, which was once a formidable challenge for Europe’s elite. Ukraine will be without Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin due to a muscle issue, with Benfica’s Anatoliy Trubin set to take his place. Manager Serhiy Rebrov will rely on the talent of Viktor Tsygankov, Heorhiy Sudakov, and Artem Dovbyk to trouble a French side that, despite its immense quality, has a history of suffering upsets due to overconfidence.