Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has identified French winger Michael Olise as his favorite player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 47-year-old pundit expressed that Olise’s style of play, characterized by flair and unpredictability, is exactly what compels him to purchase a ticket and remain engaged until the final whistle.
Olise has been a pivotal presence for Les Bleus throughout the tournament, recording five assists in seven matches, which stands as the highest tally for any player in the competition. Speaking on Rio Vlogs, Ferdinand emphasized that the winger’s ability to change a game at any moment makes him the standout performer of the current World Cup.
Beyond his international success, Olise’s consistent form for Bayern has drawn significant attention from top European clubs, including Liverpool and Real Madrid. Reports indicate that the 24-year-old is interested in a move to the Spanish giants, though a transfer remains complicated by the Bundesliga side's valuation, which exceeds €200 million.
France is currently preparing for the third-place playoff against England, scheduled for Saturday, July 18, following a 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals. England also enters the fixture after a difficult exit, having conceded two late goals in a seven-minute span against Argentina during their own semi-final match.
Acknowledging the difficulty of the upcoming bronze medal match, France head coach Didier Deschamps admitted that it is a game no one necessarily wants to play, yet he remains focused on the task. Despite the disappointment of missing the final, Deschamps stated that he and his squad have a duty to fulfill this final objective, noting that while it is less significant than the title match, they are committed to performing their best against England.
Someone that makes me want to buy a ticket to go to a game, makes me want to stay to the end and don't miss the end because of traffic, because he might do something again.
He said (via NDTV h/t Reuters):"I have a duty for this game.
