French footballer Michael Olise has made a significant impact in his World Cup debut for France at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Born in west London to parents with Franco-Algerian and Nigerian roots, Olise could have played for England, Nigeria, or Algeria but chose to represent France, the national team of his footballing heroes Thierry Henry and Zidane.
Olise's recent performances have been impressive, with his scorching surge from inside his own half leaving four of Belgium's finest defenders on the deck and France with a 1-0 lead in their second match of the group stage of the Uefa Nations League. Zidane, running along the sidelines as Olise veered in on goal, kicked a football from a cone by the pitch in celebration.
Zidane, who took over as head coach in July from his former international skipper Didier Deschamps, has been riding a momentum since his appointment. The victory allowed France to move to the top of League A Group 1 in the Nations League with two wins from their two outings under Zidane. Italy, on the back of a 4-1 annihilation of Turkey, put Zidane's coaching skills to their next test on Friday night at the Stade de France.
Olise, who made his France debut in September 2024, has been a heavyweight presence and star performer in Zidane's new wave. The 24-year-old's first goal for France in nine games, and his eighth since earning the first of his 27 caps for the senior squad on 6 September 2024 against Italy in the 2025 Nations League.
Zidane urges players to embrace the challenge of playing for France, and Olise has certainly risen to the occasion. With France captain Kylian Mbappé missing after injuring his left knee when scoring the winner against Turkey on 25 September, Zidane opted for the counterintuitive, making nine changes to the side that started the game against Turkey in Izmit.
Olise joined Crystal Palace in July 2021 from second-tier Reading and was an instant success, scoring 16 times for the south-east Londoners and laying on the pass for 25 goals in 90 appearances. The German heavyweights convinced Olise to depart for nearly €60 million in July 2024, after which he won five trophies, including two Bundesliga crowns, since arriving at Bayern Munich.
Olise's feats propelled him to the Bundesliga's Player of the Season prize, and he also won the 2026 French players' union award for the best Frenchman in a foreign league. Though Bayern fell to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final of the Champions League, they won a 34th Bundesliga crown and the German Cup for the 21st time, marking a successful stint for Olise.
Key points
- Michael Olise made his World Cup debut for France at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
- Olise scored a crucial goal in France's Nations League match against Belgium.
- Zidane's coaching skills were put to the test as France took on Italy in the Nations League.
