France manager Didier Deschamps believes his team will be among the leading contenders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding that only a small group of nations have the quality and experience to challenge for the trophy.
The expanded World Cup kicks off in June next year across the United States, Canada and Mexico. France have been drawn in Group I, where they will face a strong Senegal side and a rising Norway team. It is a demanding group on paper, but Didier Deschamps is confident his squad will arrive ready to compete.
His side came within moments of winning the title in Qatar in 2022, only to lose dramatically to Argentina in the final. Asked whether he views the next World Cup as a chance to avenge that defeat, the France coach dismissed the idea of revenge and stressed that every tournament brings a fresh challenge.
“There is no rematch in soccer. Argentina won [the 2022 World Cup] and there is nothing we can do about it now,” Deschamps said in an interview with Olé. “This is a new competition and we are going to try to go as far as possible. France can be a contender.”
The former World Cup winner also pointed out that the level of competition remains fierce, even with a larger field of nations involved. “As in every World Cup, there are between six and seven teams that can win, but in the end, only one wins. To be the best, you have to beat all the teams,” he said.
Deschamps also shared his belief that global icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo should be part of the tournament. “They [Messi and Ronaldo] are two players who have marked international soccer for more than 15 years; without a doubt, it is something special for them,” he said.
