Before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the spotlight naturally fell on Kylian Mbappé and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé. A few weeks later, however, another name has become impossible to ignore: Michael Olise.
Reserved off the pitch and almost invisible in front of the microphones, the Bayern Munich playmaker is quietly putting together one of the tournament’s most impressive individual campaigns. He may not be filling the scoresheet himself, but he has become the true architect of France’s attack.
France’s turning point
After a sluggish opening performance against Senegal despite a 3-1 victory, Didier Deschamps decided to reshape his attack during the second half. One decision changed everything: moving Michael Olise into the No. 10 role.
The adjustment immediately transformed France.
Freed from the responsibilities of playing as a winger, Olise was able to receive the ball between the lines, dictate the tempo, and consistently deliver defense-splitting passes. Suddenly, Les Bleus rediscovered an attacking fluidity that had been missing for months.
Against Iraq, he produced a masterclass. Recording two assists and pulling the strings throughout the match, he was involved in nearly every dangerous attacking move. Deschamps was quick to acknowledge that the new tactical setup gave his playmaker far more freedom.
“I think I’m more comfortable as a No. 10,” Olise had admitted before the match.
The pitch quickly proved him right.
The master of final pass
The numbers perfectly illustrate his influence.
In just two matches and 158 minutes of action, Michael Olise has already registered three assists, putting him among the tournament’s leading playmakers. Even more impressive, he ranks near the top in several creative categories, including big chances created, line-breaking passes, through balls into the penalty area, and progressive passes.
But statistics don’t tell the whole story.
What stands out most is his ability to see what nobody else sees. His first touch eliminates an entire pressing line, his head is constantly scanning the field, and every possession seems to come after he has already analyzed the positioning of the other 21 players.
It is a testament to his extraordinary peripheral vision, allowing him to anticipate teammates’ runs before they even begin.
A natural connection with Mbappé
The biggest beneficiary of Olise’s creativity is, unsurprisingly, Kylian Mbappé.
The pair already seem to understand each other instinctively. Mbappé’s runs are consistently rewarded with perfectly weighted passes, while Olise knows exactly when to speed up play and when to slow it down in order to maximize his captain’s explosive pace.
Their chemistry is built on contrasting yet perfectly complementary qualities: Mbappé attacks space with unmatched explosiveness, while Olise spots that space before anyone else.
It evokes some of France’s greatest attacking partnerships, where a gifted creator consistently put his finisher in the best possible position.
A true number 10 with modern qualities
Beyond the numbers, Michael Olise has become the symbol of France’s attacking renaissance.
For years, Les Bleus were criticized for lacking creativity despite their results. Now they are playing with greater spontaneity, more verticality, and far more attacking flair. Chances are flowing, goals are coming, and much of that transformation bears the signature of France’s new No. 10.
His technical freedom encourages the entire team to play with greater confidence. Midfielders take more risks, forwards make more aggressive runs, and opposing defenses struggle to decide where to focus their attention.
His development is no coincidence.
Since joining Bayern Munich, Michael Olise has taken another step forward. More mature in his decision-making, more consistent, and increasingly influential in the biggest matches, he has established himself as one of Europe’s premier creators. This World Cup has become the perfect showcase for that evolution.
At just 24 years old, he has become the heartbeat of the French national team. His football intelligence, technical quality, and ability to accelerate the game at exactly the right moment make him a unique player capable of transforming a match without needing to score himself.
In a squad where Mbappé remains the primary finisher, Olise has become the man writing the script.
And if France dreams of winning a third World Cup, it now knows that its greatest artist wears the No. 10 shirt—and always seems to see the game one step ahead of everyone else.