Ousmane Dembele says France 'on a mission' to 'do everything' to win 2026 World Cup in America after 2022 heartbreak to Lionel Messi and Argentina
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/12/13/image-5a252a03-4dbd-47d0-92a0-8fd4a8d70019-68-310-310.jpeg)
Published 12/01/2026 at 15:21 GMT
React to this story
Having reached the last two World Cup finals, France have their eyes on a third on the bounce when they head to North America for this year's tournament. That's the view of Ousmane Dembele, who will look to add to his UEFA Champions League and Ballon d'Or successes in the last 12 months. The forward is also looking forward to facing the country of his heritage as France take on Senegal.
Madness in El Clasico with THREE goals in six frenetic minutes - 'Can you believe it?!'
Video credit: TNT Sports
France forward Ousmane Dembele said Les Bleus are determined to "do everything" to win the 2026 World Cup this summer.
The upcoming edition of the tournament takes place in North America across three countries - USA, Mexico, Canada - beginning in June with the final hosted at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
According to Paris Saint-Germain star Dembele, speaking in an interview with CNN Sport, France, who have reached the last two finals, are on a "mission" to go the distance once more.
"We know what it takes to go all the way and we’re going to try to do everything to bring the trophy home," Dembele said.
"We know we have a mission in the United States. We’ve been talking about this World Cup for a long time now, and I think we’ll be ready for the occasion."
France lifted their second World Cup in 2018 when they beat Croatia in the final in Russia, but suffered heartbreak four years later when they were beaten by Argentina on penalties following a dramatic 3-3 draw in Qatar.
- Why Clasico guard of honour provoked fury with Mbappe, Yamal in spotlight
- Barcelona must change 'problem' to win Champions League - 'I've always questioned that'
Dembele, 28, featured in both squads, featuring in every game in the latter tournament.
World Cup 2026 will be the first of a new bigger, expanded competition which will see 48 teams competing for glory, up from 32 previously.
The number of groups in the first round has increased from eight to 12, with an additional knockout round for the 32 teams who progress.
France have been drawn in Group I, alongside Norway, a yet-to-be-determined inter-confederation play-off winner, and notably for Dembele, Senegal.
The West African nation famously beat France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup, with Les Bleus arriving as defending champions.
The seismic defeat ultimately saw France exit at the first round stage against the then tournament debutants, and was even more significant due to the historical ties between the two countries.
Senegal was once one of several French colonies in Africa, which has subsequently led to regular migration between the two, and ultimately, players of Senegalese origin representing France.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/09/23/image-5cf7068e-94cf-4cb6-b30a-b0e1a16e692f-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Watch moment Dembele, Bonmati announced as Ballon d'Or winners
Video credit: TNT Sports
Among those is Dembele himself, whose mother is Mauritanian-Senegalese, meaning when the two nations meet on June 16 at the same venue the final will take place, the match will carry added weight for the ex-Barcelona forward.
"I received a ton of messages after that," Dembele said of December’s World Cup draw. "People told me to score an own goal [against Senegal].
"There are several of us in this team who are Senegalese and French. It’s going to be a very beautiful match."
France will attack the World Cup with almost a new-look side compared to recent editions.
Alongside the likes of Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, manager Didier Deschamps can call upon young stars such as Rayan Cherki and Hugo Ekitike, who will be familiar to Premier League fans this season, as well as Dembele’s PSG teammates, Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery, both of whom will look to make their mark in America.
The bright young stars come in place of outgoing stalwarts such as Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann as much of the old guard bow out.
"There’ve been a huge number of changes," the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Dembele added.
"We’ve got talented players who’ve adapted very well to the style and squad.
"The French team will always play a leading role in this kind of tournament, so you’ll have to count on us."
Stream the Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Advertisement
Advertisement