A massive World Cup for our Les Rouge et Bleu

Men's football•

After Spain and Fabian Ruiz were crowned world champions with a 1–0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, we look back at our Rouge et Bleus’ performances throughout the tournament.

Fabian Ruiz crowned with Spain

For the third consecutive World Cup, Paris Saint-Germain has seen one of its players crowned champion. Having already played a vital role in Spain’s victory at Euro 2024, Fabian Ruiz was once again a key player for manager Luis de la Fuente, growing in influence throughout the tournament. Having come off the bench in the round of 16, our midfielder won over his manager, starting in the quarter-final against Belgium (2–1) – where he opened the scoring – and in the semi-final against France (2–0).

For his 50th international appearance, he was also in the starting line-up for the final against Argentina (1–0 a.e.t.), rounding off an exceptional season after winning a second consecutive Champions League title in the Rouge et Bleu shirt.

Les Bleus dazzle

The French team may have fallen just short of a place in the final when they lost to the eventual champions (0–2), but the five Parisian players in Didier Deschamps’ side have nothing to be ashamed of in terms of their performances. Scoring a hat-trick against Norway (4–1), as well as finding the net in the quarter-finals and the third-place play-off, Ousmane Dembélé was a key figure in Les Bleus’ attack, finishing the tournament with six goals and two assists.

Alternating as starters on the left flank, Bradley Barcola (three goals, one assist) and Désiré Doué (one goal, one assist) also both had successful tournaments. Both wingers played in all eight of France’s matches. Meanwhile, Warren Zaïre-Emery made his debut in a major tournament for Les Bleus, coming on as a substitute against Morocco (2–0). The Parisian was also in the starting line-up for the third-place play-off against England (4–6).

Parisians shine on American soil

The Parisian players proved to be key figures in their respective teams throughout the tournament, notably Marquinhos for Brazil and Achraf Hakimi as captain of a history-making Morocco side. Our right-back led his team to the World Cup quarter-finals for the second time in a row – a first for an African side.

With the exception of Khalil Ayari, who was playing in his first major tournament for Tunisia, all the capital club’s internationals managed to qualify for the round of 16. This qualification sometimes required moments of brilliance, such as that of Willian Pacho’s Ecuador, who beat Germany 2–1 to secure their place in the knockout stages.

Undisputed first-team regulars for Portugal, Nuno Mendes and João Neves – along with Vitinha – all scored maiden World Cup goals. With no fewer than eight different goalscorers during the World Cup (nine if you include Gonçalo Ramos, who left the club during the tournament), Paris Saint-Germain set a new record and bolstered its international reputation.

Ten of our 15 selected players proved decisive, contributing to a total of 23 goals. Having shone in Europe’s top club competition, Luis Enrique’s players also excelled on the world stage as a thrilling tournament unfolded in the United States, Mexico and Canada.