Michael Olise Revolutionizes France’s Attack Ahead of 2026 World Cup
News Summary
Published after thorough review.
- French winger Michael Olise has set a record this season with 30 assists, the highest in a single season by a French player across Europe’s top five leagues.
- The 24-year-old French international is preparing to participate in the FIFA World Cup for the first time.
- English star Harry Kane describes Olise as “currently the world’s best winger.”
June 15, Kathmandu – Michael Olise presents a calm demeanor off the pitch, but his playing style on the field is distinctly dynamic. In just two years at Bayern Munich, he has secured his spot as a crucial player on the right flank. The 24-year-old Frenchman is now preparing to make his FIFA World Cup debut.
Born in Hammersmith, England, to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother, Olise’s playing style reflects this diverse cultural heritage. He began his professional career in 2019 with Reading before moving to Crystal Palace in 2021, where he became the club’s youngest goalscorer of the 21st century.
Amid interest from major European clubs, Olise chose Bayern Munich. In his debut for the club during the German Cup against Ulm 1846, he made an immediate impact with an assist just two minutes after entering the pitch. Since then, he has won two Bundesliga titles and one German Super Cup with Bayern.
His progress at the international level has also been steady. Under Thierry Henry’s guidance, Olise helped France reach the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics, contributing two goals and five assists.
Following his Olympic success, coach Didier Deschamps called him up to the senior national team. Olise made his debut for France on September 6, 2024, in the UEFA Nations League against Italy.
French coach Didier Deschamps regards Olise as a game-changing player. “He simplifies our play. With exceptional technical skills, he can alter the flow of the game. His potential for growth is significant,” Deschamps commented.
Olise also showcased outstanding performance at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. In Bayern’s opening 10-0 victory over Auckland City, he scored twice and assisted twice. He scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory against Boca Juniors.
Despite these efforts, Bayern were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Paris Saint-Germain. Olise is now gearing up to be one of France’s key weapons in the 2026 World Cup hosted on American soil.
He has played 105 matches for Bayern, scoring 42 goals and providing 53 assists. This season, Olise is Bayern’s second-highest contributor to goals after Harry Kane, with 52 goal involvements compared to Kane’s 62.
Harry Kane, an English teammate at Bayern, praised Olise as the world’s best winger. “He is currently the best winger globally. He creates numerous chances and is fearless in dribbling. He is one of our key players,” Kane stated.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Olise led all players with five assists. He directly contributed to seven of France’s 14 goals in the tournament, scoring two himself.
This season, having delivered 30 assists across all competitions, he set the record for the most assists in a single season by a French player competing in Europe’s top five leagues.
France’s Hope for World Cup 2026
Alongside Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, Olise strengthens France’s attacking line, considered one of the strongest worldwide. The emergence of young talents like Ryan Cherki and Dizayi Douez adds further depth to the squad.
France is aiming to reach the World Cup final for the third consecutive time, a feat previously achieved only by West Germany and Brazil. A third World Cup title would be a fitting farewell for coach Didier Deschamps, who plans to step down after the tournament, and it would mark an exceptional milestone after 14 years in charge.