France head to the United States with one of the most star-studded squads at the 2026 World Cup, but it is Michael Olise who may prove to be their most dangerous weapon.
The 24-year-old Bayern Munich winger delivered the most compelling argument for that claim on Sunday night, scoring a first-half finish, a thunderous strike into the top corner, and a stunning 20-yard curler to complete a hat-trick in France’s 3-1 warm-up win over Northern Ireland, earning a standing ovation before he was substituted with seven minutes left.
Olise could have finished today with 2 assists and 3 goals.
It was a statement performance at the perfect time. Olise arrives at the tournament on the back of a remarkable club season. He racked up 15 goals and 19 assists in the Bundesliga this season, leading the entire league in assists by five clear of his nearest rival. Bayern’s fans voted him their Player of the Season, with almost half of all votes cast going his way.
⭐️🇫🇷 Hat-trick for France in friendly night tonight for Michael Olise
What makes him so difficult to contain is his unpredictability. He can drift in from the right, create with his left foot, or arrive late into the box, and defenders rarely know which is coming. Against Northern Ireland, all three of his goals were different in nature, showing a range that few wingers in the world can match.
France’s attack on paper, Mbappe, Dembele, Desiré Doué, and Olise, combined for 97 club goals last season. But where Mbappe is the focal point that opposition teams plan around, Olise is the one they struggle to plan for.
If Les Bleus are to win a third World Cup, the man pulling the strings from wide may not be the obvious name. It may well be Olise.
