Jean-Philippe Mateta plans to work "like a madman" to achieve his "childhood dream" of representing France at the upcoming World Cup.

The Crystal Palace striker has just three senior caps for Didier Deschamps' side, and he missed the last squad selection due to a troublesome knee injury.

Mateta has tasted tournament football, though, after featuring as one of three overage players at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, where they were runners-up under Thierry Henry.

And the 28-year-old, who managed two goals in three appearances for France after his senior debut last year, is keen to go to the world's most eye-catching tournament across June and July.

"I thought about it every day when I was injured, and I’ll do everything I can to make it happen, by showing on the pitch that I’m ready, by working like a madman," Mateta told L'Equipe.

Mateta also scored four times at the 2024 Olympics for France, who were beaten 5-3 in the final by Spain after his stoppage-time equaliser sent the showpiece to extra time.

BOOOOM.

First corner flag defeated on the international stage for JP pic.twitter.com/xZAy5B74vO

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 14, 2025

His first priority may be impressing with Palace in the closing stages of the season, as Oliver Glasner's side aim for Conference League glory.

The striker has not scored for five games across all competitions, having only returned in mid-March from a knee injury that kept him out of eight matches for Palace and cut short talk of a move to AC Milan.

But his ambitions may already be drifting onto the global stage.

"It’s different from the 2024 Olympics, firstly because I really don’t have the same status in the squad, and secondly because it’s the gathering of the world’s best players," he added. 

"It’s a childhood dream, like saying to yourself, 'I can score for the French national team'. Even for you, as a journalist, it’s something extraordinary, and everyone wants to be part of it, don’t they?

"So imagine as a player. If I can help the team, I’ll be the happiest person in the world."