Riou Raves About France: "I Don't Need Them to Win This World Cup"

With four victories and fourteen goals scored since the start of the 2026 World Cup, the France national team is captivating as much as it is delighting. An enthusiasm that journalist Yoann Riou has translated into strong words, even going so far as to downplay the importance of the final title.

“History is being written before our eyes,” Riou declared on L’Équipe channel on Wednesday. “In 30, 40, 50, 60 years, people will talk about this France team. Why? Love. This team, we love it. It gives us reason to love it at every moment.” A statement that speaks as much to the level of play displayed as to the attachment generated by this group.

To illustrate his thinking, the journalist invoked a historical reference: the “magic square” of the 1980s, that of Platini, Giresse, Tigana and Fernandez. “Here we have another magic square, but a little bit higher up the field. We have a magic square of forwards,” he said, referring to the current attacking quartet, led notably by Kylian Mbappé — who has scored three braces in four matches — and by a Michael Olise often in brilliant form.

Riou then pushed his reasoning to its conclusion, evoking the possibility of elimination before the end of the road. “I don’t need them to win this World Cup. The 1982 World Cup, Seville, we got eliminated on penalties and yet it’s one of the most extraordinary memories in history. That’s my philosophy, I don’t need us to go all the way.”

What particularly catches the journalist’s attention is the cohesion displayed by the attacking sector. “What is magnificent with these four up front is that there is no jealousy. They don’t count their statistics. I find this team cohesion magnificent. There is no resentment.”

The results so far vindicate the prevailing optimism: 3-1 against Senegal, 3-0 against Iraq, 4-1 against Norway and 3-0 against Sweden. While Riou’s romanticism may appeal, French supporters will no doubt nurture the ambition of seeing the Blues lift the trophy for the third time in their history.