World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Bayern Munich's Michael Olise
Michael Olise has lit up the Bundesliga with his swaggering wing play since joining Bayern Munich, and the 24-year-old is ready to shine brightly in North America in a talented France side.
Name: Michael Olise
Club: Bayern Munich
Nation: France
International debut: 6 Sept 2024
Caps: 17
International goals: 7
Stats correct as of 12 June 2026
How was his 2025/26 season?
The Frenchman was again in imperious form in the Bundesliga, racking up 15 goals and a league-high 19 assists on his way to claiming Player of the Season honours. He also sat in the top 10 for several other metrics including shots, sprints, and intensive runs per 90 minutes, whilst registering 15 goal involvements in the UEFA Champions League and DFB Cup.
What he brings to the national team
His displays for Didier Deschamps' side have been similarly impactful. In just 17 appearances, he has firmly established himself in the starting XI, scoring four times, including the second goal in France's 2-0 win over Germany in the UEFA Nations League third-place match.
If Olise can carry across his tremendous domestic form onto the international stage in Canada, Mexico and the USA, then France's Group I opponents such as Nicolas Jackson's Senegal and Julian Ryerson's Norway may well find him too hot to handle. His hat-trick in the warm-up friendly against Northern Ireland suggests he is just as comfortable with Les Bleus as the Bavarians.
What his coaches say
"Michael is brilliant. He's technically gifted, runs a lot, and moves cleverly. He has everything. He's doing very well for Bayern Munich and for us as well." - Deschamps
"He's very detail-oriented in his work, that's what sets him apart. That was also true of Kevin De Bruyne, whom I watched at Manchester City on his way to becoming world-class. Michael can become one of the best attacking players ever. He's on a very good path." - Bayern coach Vincent Kompany
