We asked some of the French biathletes and coaches—world beaters from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games—about France’s chances of winning the FIFA World Cup 2026. As athletes who understand the pressure of elite competition, they are well aware of the French football team’s exceptional quality and shared their expectations for the tournament.

Emilien Claude: France is the best, but . . .

Emilien Claude, the youngest of the three Claude brothers, all of whom follow football closely with two-time UEFA Champions League winners PSG as their club of choice, knows France has the most talented team but fears the weight of expectations might not serve them well.

"Honestly, I think we have the best team on paper. But we’ve seen with many teams that in modern football, the team with the best players doesn’t always perform the best together. I hope they can manage to win, but I don’t feel the French will reach the final—maybe the quarters or semis, sadly. I hope I’m wrong."

Lou Jeamonnot: Cautiously thinking of trophy

Lou Jeanmonnot, the IBU World Cup Total Score winner for the 2025/2026 season and a five-time medalist—including two Relay golds—from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, senses that France might win but doesn’t want to jinx it, so she remains cautious.

"I’d say yes, France will win. But I feel like saying things before they happen is bad luck. So I’m staying neutral—we’ll see!"

Simon Fourcade: France is a new Brazil

Simon Fourcade, the current head coach of the French men’s national biathlon team, transitioned seamlessly from a highly successful competitive career into coaching. His leadership culminated in guiding the French men’s squad to historic achievements at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. He knows who the main contender is.

"I hope they win because it gives motivation to all the other teams. I read an article calling France the new Brazil, and it’s kind of true. We’ve won two World Cups and reached many finals—more finals with France in the last six World Cups than without. I think we have a really good chance. It’s a bit complicated because our best players are playing in the big European championships and are a little tired. Like many teams, they’ll have to manage.”

Siegfried Mazet: Not a football fan, but Spain is the favourite

Siegfried Mazet—a casual football observer—is now back in France after eight years in Norway, currently serving as the shooting coach for the French men’s national biathlon team. Widely regarded as one of the most successful shooting coaches in biathlon history, he is famous for training legendary Total Score World Cup champions like France’s Martin Fourcade and Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe. He has an assumption who might win.

“I’m not a huge football fan—I just follow it casually, like most people. But even I know that Kylian Mbappé is probably the biggest star on the French team. Beyond him, I don’t keep up with the rest. My real passion is rugby. As for the teams, I’m not sure about Germany, but Spain seems like the favourite.