Paul Pogba has made a striking assessment of France’s 2026 World Cup squad, saying the current group is stronger on talent than the team that won the trophy in 2018.
Speaking exclusively to ESPN, the Monaco midfielder said France should be among the favorites and has the quality to go all the way again, but warned that high expectations bring even more pressure.
Why Pogba Thinks This France Team Stands Out
Pogba said the 2026 group has “probably the best players in the world” and believes that level of ability puts France in a position to challenge for the title. He added that talent alone will not be enough, and the squad must maintain its standard throughout the tournament.
“For me, as players — talent and everything — I think they’re better than us,” Pogba said. “Yeah, I think they’re better than us. But then, obviously, hopefully, that will make them win the World Cup.”
A Squad Built Around Familiar Stars and New Names
Pogba was part of the 2018 side that beat Croatia 4-2 in the final, ending a 20-year wait for France to win the World Cup again. He scored France’s third goal in that match, and that squad also included Kylian Mbappé, N’Golo Kanté and Ousmane Dembélé.
The current team now features newer names such as Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and William Saliba, giving France a different look while keeping elite talent across the pitch.
Mbappé Still Gets Pogba’s Full Backing
Pogba also backed Mbappé to deliver once more on the biggest stage, even after another season at Real Madrid without silverware. He dismissed the idea that the striker is under unusually heavy pressure and said his standard remains extraordinary.
“He’s the best striker of his generation. Period,” Pogba said, while adding that a 40-goal season still counts as a difficult year for most forwards.
That view fits Pogba’s broader message: France may have raised the bar since 2018, but turning that talent into another World Cup title will still require handling pressure as well as expectation.
