France’s attacking options at this summer’s World Cup amounts to an embarrassment of riches, featuring three players who lifted the Champions League trophy last month, another who scored the most goals in that competition, and a fifth who racked up 53 goal involvements in 2025/26.

It is a collection of marquee talent that has already scored three apiece against Senegal and Iraq in Group I, all while registering nine big chances combined and 13 shots on target.

With Norway still to play, Les Bleus have secured safe passage to the round of 32 as they endeavour to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.

World Cup so far for France’s "Cinq Magique"

Kylian Mbappe: 180 minutes, 4 goals

Ousmane Dembele: 148 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist

Michael Olise: 158 minutes, 3 assists

Bradley Barcola: 93 minutes, 1 goal

Désiré Doué: 119 minutes

Given the heightened calibre of their squad this should not surprise yet going into the tournament a narrative arose that speculated on a potential downside to possessing so much attacking prowess.

It was suggested that Les Bleus’ boss Didier Deschamp might struggle to keep all of his finest fare happy, and devise a system that gets the best out of them, and if this does a disservice to a coach that has enjoyed considerable success on the international stage, it also should be noted that there is a precedent.

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In 2006, a Brazil side blessed with a wonderful array of elite forwards failed to match the high expectations placed upon them. You can read about it here.

There remains a long way to go of course in France’s World Cup adventure – or not, as the case may be – but certainly two games in it appears that such concerns were unfounded. Mbappe and co have looked impressive going forward, dangerous in transition, and with all five of their attacking arsenal having their moments.

This is testimony to Didier Deschamps’ tactical acumen, as much as it’s down to the player’s attributes.

Solving a tactical quandary

In his final major tournament before stepping down as French coach Deschamp has let the proverbial handbrake off, affording his players greater flexibility in their movement which in turn has produced flowing passages of play rarely before seen under the 57-year-old.

"This is a more attacking team than ⁠in 2018 and 2022, a team that is much more geared towards going forward”

That was Kylian Mbappe, speaking after Monday’s routine besting of Iraq.

Iraq’s head coach, Graham Arnold, had this to say after his team were defeated.

“I asked if we could play three goalkeepers, but they said no”

If such rhetoric suggests that France have gone all gun’s blazing, however, their set-up says otherwise.

Ever the pragmatist, Deschamp has retained the 4-2-3-1 structure that has taken his teams to three major tournament finals, a formation that maintains a defensive discipline with its tempo in possession deriving from a midfield base. Space is still suppressed centrally from a double pivot.

Crucially though, beyond this solid foundation there is less rigidity than before, and whereas a single playmaker – typically Antoine Griezmann in recent years – would previously be afforded creative freedom, and freedom in movement, now three from Olise, Dembele, Doue, and Barcola benefit.

All have, to date, dovetailed nicely, allowing Mbappe to thrive as France’s attacking focal point.

La magie des cinq

Five into four obviously doesn’t go but, as the data near the top of the page illustrates, all of France’s attacking quintet have been given ample minutes.

Mbappe has naturally taken most of the headlines thus far, becoming his nation’s record goalscorer before adding another brace days later.

Starting on the right against Senegal before moving inland on Monday, Michael Olise’s contributions are also worthy of note, assisting on three occasions.

The record number of assists in a single World Cup was accrued by a fellow countryman, Raymond Kopa, in 1958 with eight.

Ousmane Dembele meanwhile notched his first goal for France at a major tournament against Iraq, the reigning Ballon d’Or recipient needing 19 games to do so. The PSG star will no doubt be hugely relieved to consign that odd quirk to history.

The passing of Désiré Doué particularly impressed in France’s opener, completing 26 in the opposition half. Lastly, Bradley Barcola repeatedly made impactful inroads from the left in his only start so far. Two mazy dribbles stood out from an overall proficient performance.

Though Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki deserves a honourable mention, it is from these quintet of creatives where France will look to source their goals this summer.

Early signs in this regard have been encouraging to say the least.

Kylian Mbappe’s 2025/26 in numbers

Goals scored: 42, Assists: 7, Goal involvement per minute: 73.8

Ousmane Dembele’s 2025/26 in numbers

Goals scored: 20, Assists: 11, Goal involvement per minute: 70.9

Michael Olise’s 2025/26 in numbers

Goals scored: 22, Assists: 31, Goal involvement per minute: 75.7

Bradley Barcola’s 2025/26 in numbers

Goals scored: 13, Assists: 7, Goal involvement per minute: 148.5

Désiré Doué’s 2025/26 in numbers

Goals scored: 13, Assists: 11, Goal involvement per minute: 106.5