Michael Olise: How France’s Newest Attacking Threat Changes the Team for 2026

Michael Olise’s breakout performance against Ukraine signals a major shift for France ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Here’s how his style, strengths and tactical profile change the attacking landscape for Les Bleus.

France’s 4–0 victory over Ukraine didn’t just secure qualification to the 2026 World Cup — it also announced the arrival of Michael Olise as a major figure in the national team setup. His superb curling strike in the 76th minute was more than just a goal; it was a statement. France may have found the missing creative spark they’ve been lacking on the right side of attack.

A Breakout Moment on a Symbolic Night

Olise has impressed at club level for several seasons, but doing it in the national shirt — in a high-pressure qualifier, in Paris, on a night loaded with emotion — carries extra weight. His goal showed composure, technique and confidence: cutting inside, assessing the space, and delivering a perfectly placed finish that shifted the tempo of the game.

For France, who often rely heavily on Kylian Mbappé for match-deciding moments, Olise’s emergence offers variety. His presence adds unpredictability and reduces the burden on the captain to create and finish every attacking sequence.

What Olise Brings to the French Attack

Olise’s profile fills a gap France have struggled with since the peak years of Antoine Griezmann on the right side:

Left-footed creativity on the right wing — ideal for cutting inside and opening space for overlapping full-backs.
Playmaking instincts — vision, weighted passes and the ability to unlock a compact defence.
Ball security — calm under pressure, rarely gives the ball away in tight spaces.
Ball-carrying threat — quick acceleration with control, useful in transition and when France counter-press.

His ability to play as both a winger and a number-10 style creator gives Deschamps flexibility — something France have needed to maintain variety in their attacking patterns.

A Natural Partner for Mbappé

Mbappé thrives when paired with intelligent wide players who draw defenders and disrupt shape. Olise ticks every box:

He drags markers away, giving Mbappé cleaner lanes to attack.
His left-footed delivery increases the variety of crosses and cut-backs.
He contributes to quick interchanges around the box — something France often lack when play becomes too direct.

There is early evidence that their styles complement each other. Against Ukraine, Olise’s movement repeatedly created pockets of space that Mbappé exploited, especially in the second half when France shifted the tempo upward.

Impact on France’s Tactical Structure

With Olise fully integrated, France can adjust their attacking structure in ways that were previously less effective:

4-2-3-1 with Olise as the right attacking midfielder — offering balance and creativity behind the striker.
4-3-3 with a high-wide Olise — providing width, allowing Mbappé to operate more centrally as an inside-forward.
More fluid rotations — Olise dropping into midfield channels encourages overlapping patterns and midfield overloads.

These setups give France ways to break down low blocks — something they occasionally struggle with despite superior talent.

What This Means for Deschamps’ 2026 Plans

There is now a genuine competition for attacking roles, which is healthy for a squad transitioning into a new era. Olise’s emergence gives France:

A new creative axis — no longer solely dependent on Griezmann or Mbappé for line-breaking passes.
A more unpredictable right side — making defensive planning harder for opponents.
A long-term successor in the playmaker/creator role beyond 2026.

Most importantly, it signals that Deschamps has more tactical tools at his disposal than ever before — and with his final tournament approaching, that flexibility may prove decisive.

The Bigger Picture: France’s Attack Is Evolving

With Mbappé entering his prime, established talents still present, and new profiles like Olise emerging, France’s offensive identity is shifting. Instead of relying on isolated moments of brilliance, they’re developing layers of structure and creativity.

If Olise continues this trajectory, he won’t just be a squad option — he’ll be one of the pillars of the team heading into 2026.

Conclusion

France have lacked a true right-sided creator since the peak moments of their 2018–2020 cycle. Michael Olise’s rise may be the solution. His style, composure and tactical intelligence bring a new dimension to the national team — one that could be crucial when facing the world’s best next summer.