The Rise and Fall of France Soccer: What's Next for Les Bleus?
I remember watching the French national team lift the World Cup in 2018 with such overwhelming pride—the kind that makes your chest swell and your eyes sting. We all thought this was the beginning of a new dynasty, a French side that would dominate world football for years. Fast forward to today, and that same team feels like it’s navigating through fog, unsure of its direction and identity. The recent struggles aren’t just a blip; they’re symptoms of deeper issues that have been simmering beneath the surface. It reminds me of something I observed in basketball recently—Bolick’s scoring output was only one point higher than his career low of three in their 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup opener against NorthPort. That kind of stagnation, where a player or a team hovers just above their worst, is eerily similar to what France has been experiencing. They’re not crashing and burning, but they’re not soaring either, and that middle ground can be the most frustrating place for any elite squad.
When you look at the French squad, the talent is undeniable. Kylian Mbappé remains one of the most electrifying players in the world, and the depth in midfield and defense is the envy of many nations. But talent alone doesn’t win tournaments—just ask any coach who’s had a star-studded team fall short. I’ve always believed that cohesion and mentality are what separate good teams from great ones, and France seems to be lacking in both areas lately. In the 2022 World Cup final, they were outplayed for large stretches by Argentina, only to mount a stunning comeback that fell just short. That match was a microcosm of their recent journey: flashes of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. Personally, I think the over-reliance on individual moments of magic has hurt them. When Mbappé isn’t firing on all cylinders, the team often looks lost, and that’s a dangerous position for any side aspiring to greatness.
The decline isn’t just about on-field performances; it’s rooted in structural and cultural shifts within French football. Youth development, once the gold standard, has seen a dip in producing well-rounded players who can adapt to tactical evolutions. I’ve spoken with scouts who point out that while France still churns out physically gifted athletes, the technical and mental refinement isn’t what it used to be. Add to that the managerial challenges—Didier Deschamps, for all his successes, has been criticized for his conservative approach. In my view, his tactics have become predictable, and the team lacks the fluidity that made them so fearsome in 2018. Take their recent UEFA Nations League campaign, where they finished third in their group behind Denmark and Croatia. That’s not a fluke; it’s a trend. The numbers back this up: France has won only 55% of their matches since the 2022 World Cup, a stark drop from the 75% win rate they maintained between 2016 and 2021.
So, where do they go from here? I’m optimistic, but it’s a cautious optimism. The first step, in my opinion, is a managerial shake-up. Deschamps has given so much to French football, but sometimes a fresh voice is needed to reinvigorate a squad. Zinedine Zidane has been linked to the job, and I’d love to see what he could do—his man-management and tactical ingenuity could be the spark this team needs. Beyond that, there’s a need to integrate younger talents like Eduardo Camavinga and William Saliba more consistently, giving them the responsibility to grow into leaders. I’ve always believed that transitions are painful but necessary, and France is at that crossroads. They have the resources—financial, cultural, and talent-wise—to bounce back, but it requires humility and a willingness to evolve.
Looking ahead, the 2024 European Championship will be a litmus test. If they underperform, it could trigger a full-scale rebuild, but if they find their rhythm, we might see the resurgence of Les Bleus as a global powerhouse. I, for one, am rooting for them to rediscover that magic. After all, football is more exciting when France is at its best—when the blue jersey symbolizes not just history, but hope.
