France’s Immigrant Footballers at the 2026 World Cup

Modern French football has been shaped by successive waves of immigration

By The Immigrant Times

France captain Kylian Mbappé, who made his international debut in 2017 and now plays for Real Madrid; Désiré Doué, regarded as one of French football’s brightest young talents, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain; and Théo Hernández, who made his France debut in 2021 and is the grandson of former Spanish international Amancio Amaro.

Introduction

June 2026: As the FIFA World Cup unfolds across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, The Immigrant Times is exploring the migration stories behind some of the tournament’s leading national teams.

Over the coming weeks, we will focus on the four countries that will reach the semi-finals on 14 and 15 July. To introduce the series, we examine France, one of the world’s most diverse national football teams and runners-up at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Sixteen members of France’s 26-man World Cup squad were either born abroad or have parents who migrated to France. Their family roots stretch across Africa, Europe, and beyond, illustrating migration patterns that have shaped French society for generations.

This overview includes players born outside France and French-born players whose parents migrated to the country. It excludes players with family roots only in France’s overseas departments and territories, such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, or Réunion.

The contribution of players from immigrant families to French football has not been recent. For decades, football has provided opportunities for children of newcomers to represent either their adopted country or their country of birth at the highest levels of international sport.

Immigration has shaped French football

Modern French football has been shaped by waves of immigration. In the decades after the Second World War, players with family roots in Italy, Spain, Poland, Portugal, and Armenia became key figures in French football. Later generations included players whose families migrated from former French colonies and territories in North and West Africa.

The diversity of French football attracted worldwide attention when France secured victory in the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil. That team included players with family backgrounds in Algeria, Ghana, Armenia, Guadeloupe, New Caledonia, and other regions. Fans celebrated the team as a symbol of a modern, multicultural France.

Since then, players from immigrant families have continued to be a vital part of French football. The national teams that reached the World Cup finals in 2018 and 2022 included players with origins in countries such as Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, Congo, Guinea, and Nigeria.

The 2026 World Cup squad continues that tradition. Some players were born abroad and moved to France as children. Others were born in France to parents who arrived from elsewhere. Together, they represent a broad range of family histories that mirror the experiences of millions of people living in contemporary France.

France’s World Cup squad:

Players with migrant family backgrounds

(In alphabetical order)

Maghnes Akliouche

Born on 25 February 2002 in Tremblay-en-France, north-east of Paris. His parents emigrated from the Kabylie region of Algeria, and he holds both French and Algerian nationality.

Position: Attacking midfielder / winger

Club career: Akliouche joined Monaco’s academy as a child and progressed through the club’s youth system before establishing himself in the first team. Known for his creativity and close ball control, he became one of Ligue 1’s most highly rated young attacking players.

International career: Having represented France at various youth levels, Akliouche was courted by both France and Algeria. In 2025 he confirmed his intention to represent France internationally and was subsequently selected for the senior national team and the 2026 World Cup squad.

Bradley Barcola

Born on 2 September 2002 in Villeurbanne, near Lyon. His father is of Togolese descent, and his mother is French.

Position: Winger

Club career: Barcola started playing football in his hometown before joining Lyon’s youth academy at the age of eight. After breaking into the club’s first team, he transferred to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and quickly established himself as one of France’s most promising attacking players.

International career: Having represented France at youth level, Barcola made his senior debut in 2024. His pace and direct attacking style earned him a place in France’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ousmane Dembélé

Born on 15 May 1997 in Vernon, Normandy. His father has Mauritanian and Senegalese roots, while his mother is of Malian descent.

Position: Forward / winger

Club career: Dembélé started at Rennes before transferring to Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, and later Paris Saint-Germain. Known for his dribbling skills and versatility, he has secured domestic titles in France and Spain.

International career: Dembélé made his senior debut for France in 2016 and was part of the squads that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and reached the 2022 World Cup final. He remains one of France’s most experienced attacking players.

Désiré Doué

Born on 3 June 2005 in Angers. His father is of Ivorian descent, and the family maintains strong ties to Côte d’Ivoire.

Position: Midfielder / winger

Club career: Doué progressed through Rennes’ academy before transferring to Paris Saint-Germain. Considered one of the most promising talents of his generation, he has gained attention for his technical skill and adaptability.

International career: After representing France at youth level, Doué advanced to the senior national team and was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

Théo Hernández

Born on 6 October 1997 in Marseille, he is the son of former footballer Jean-François Hernández, whose family has Spanish roots. His grandfather, the legendary Amancio Amaro, was one of Spain’s most celebrated footballers.

Position: Left-back

Club career: Hernández developed through Atlético Madrid’s youth academy before playing for Alavés, Real Madrid, Milan, and later Al-Hilal. Renowned for his attacking runs from defence, he has been one of Europe’s top left-backs.

International career: Hernández made his senior debut for France in 2021 and was part of the squad that reached the 2022 World Cup final. He remains a regular starter on the left side of the French defence.

Lucas Hernández

Born on 14 February 1996 in Marseille, he, like his younger brother Theo, hails from a family with Spanish roots and is the grandson of former Spanish international Amancio Amaro.

Position: Defender

Club career: Hernández developed at Atlético Madrid before moving to Bayern Munich and later Paris Saint-Germain. Able to play centrally or on the left, he has won league titles in Spain, Germany, and France.

International career: Hernández ´made his senior debut for France in 2018 and contributed to the team's victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Injuries disrupted parts of his international career, but he remains a key player in the squad.

N’Golo Kanté

Born on 29 March 1991 in Paris. His parents emigrated from Mali to France before his birth.

Position: Midfielder

Club career: Kanté’s journey to becoming a top football player took him from Boulogne and Caen to Leicester City, Chelsea, and later Fenerbahçe. Renowned for his work rate and ball-winning skills, he has achieved both domestic and European honours.

International career: Kanté made his senior debut for France in 2016 and played a pivotal role in the country’s 2018 World Cup victory. He remains one of the most respected figures in French football.

Ibrahima Konaté

Born on 25 May 1999 in Paris. His parents are of Malian descent.

Position: Centre-back

Club career: Konaté started his career at Sochaux, then transferred to RB Leipzig and later to Liverpool. His strength, pace, and aerial ability have made him one of Europe’s top defenders.

International career: After playing for France at youth level, Konaté made his senior debut in 2022. He was part of the squad that reached the 2022 World Cup final and was again selected for the 2026 tournament.

Manu Koné

Born on 17 May 2001 in Bondy, a suburb of Paris. His father is of Ivorian descent.

Position: Midfielder

Club career: Koné developed at Toulouse before transferring to Borussia Mönchengladbach and later Roma. Known for his athleticism and ability to carry the ball through midfield, he has become a regular performer at club level.

International career: Having represented France in youth competitions, Koné progressed to the senior squad and was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Jules Koundé

Born on 12 November 1998 in Paris. His family background includes roots in Benin through his father.

Position: Defender

Club career: Koundé developed at Bordeaux before transferring to Sevilla and subsequently Barcelona. Equally comfortable as a centre-back or right-back, he has established himself as one of France’s most reliable defenders.

International career: Koundé made his senior debut for France in 2021 and was part of the squad that reached the 2022 World Cup final. He remains a regular starter in the national team.

Kylian Mbappé

Born on 20 December 1998 in Paris and raised in Bondy. His father is of Cameroonian origin, and his mother has Algerian Kabyle roots.

Position: Forward

Club career: Mbappé emerged at Monaco before joining Paris Saint-Germain, where he became one of the world’s most prolific goalscorers. In 2024 he moved to Real Madrid.

International career: Mbappé made his senior debut for France in 2017. He played a key role in France’s 2018 World Cup victory and was captain of the national team by the time of the 2026 tournament. He is widely regarded as one of the leading footballers of his generation.

Michael Olise

Born on 12 December 2001 in Hammersmith, London. His father is of Nigerian descent, and his mother has French-Algerian roots. Eligible to represent several countries, he chose France at the international level.  

Position: Winger / attacking midfielder

Club career: Olise developed in the youth systems of several English clubs before making his professional breakthrough at Reading. He later joined Crystal Palace and established himself as one of the Premier League’s most creative attacking players before transferring to Bayern Munich.

International career: After representing France at youth level, Olise made his senior debut in 2024. He was selected for France’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad and is regarded as one of the country’s most exciting attacking talents.

William Saliba

Born on 24 March 2001 in Bondy, a suburb of Paris. His father is of Lebanese descent, and his mother has Cameroonian roots.  

Position: Centre-back

Club career: Saliba progressed through the youth academy of Saint-Étienne before joining Arsenal FC. After loan spells in France, he established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading defenders.

International career: Having represented France at youth level, Saliba made his senior debut in 2022. He was part of France’s squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and was selected again for the 2026 tournament.

Brice Samba

Born on 25 April 1994 in Linzolo, Republic of the Congo. He holds both French and Congolese nationalities.

Position: Goalkeeper

Club career: Samba started his professional career with Le Havre before moving to Marseille. He subsequently played for Caen, Nottingham Forest, and Lens. In 2025, he transferred to Stade Rennais in France’s Ligue 1.

International career: After representing France at youth level, Samba received his first senior call-up in March 2023 and made his debut against Gibraltar in June 2023. He was selected in France’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Aurélien Tchouaméni

Born on 27 January 2000 in Rouen, Normandy. His parents emigrated from Cameroon to France before his birth.

Position: Midfielder

Club career: Tchouaméni developed at Bordeaux before joining Monaco, where he became one of Europe’s most highly rated young midfielders. In 2022, he transferred to Real Madrid CF and has since achieved major domestic and international honours.

International career: Tchouaméni made his senior debut for France in 2021 and quickly became a regular in midfield. He played a prominent role in France’s run to the 2022 World Cup final and was selected again for the 2026 tournament.

Dayot Upamecano

Born on 27 October 1998 in Évreux, Normandy. His parents are from Guinea-Bissau, while his mother was born in Senegal and later became a French citizen.  

Position: Centre-back

Club career: Upamecano started his professional journey with Valenciennes before transferring to Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. In 2021, he joined Bayern Munich, establishing himself as a regular in defence.

International career: After representing France at various youth levels, Upamecano made his senior debut in 2020. He was part of the squad that reached the 2022 World Cup final and earned selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Semi-Finals

Although France is among the favourites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a place in the semi-finals is far from assured. Once the tournament’s four semi-finalists are confirmed, The Immigrant Times will publish similar profiles exploring the migration stories behind each of the remaining teams.

Sources: This article was compiled from official French Football Federation, FIFA, and UEFA player profiles, club biographies, player interviews, and football reference sources, including Wikipedia entries, which were cross-checked against official records.

BACK TO TOP

COMMENTS

Praise. Criticise. Write.

FOLLOW

Instagram || TikTok || X(Twitter) || Thread || Facebook || BlueSky || Mastodon || LinkedIn ||