Despite France’s two victories in as many matches during this international break in March against Brazil and Colombia, Didier Deschamps does not want to fall into overconfidence two and a half months before the 2026 World Cup. According to the French coach, a French athlete “in comfort” risks not optimizing their performances enough.
The time is not for boasting. Winners over Colombia this Sunday with a significantly revamped squad (3-1) just three days after the impressive victory against Brazil despite playing a half with 10 men (2-1), the French national team is impressing the football world. Their stock is rising sharply with only two and a half months remaining until the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
This has led to a wave of optimism, even euphoria, among the players of the French team. “We have a great team. From the goalkeeper to the attackers, it’s exceptional. The quality of the offensive players is outstanding,” said Lucas Hernandez in an interview with La Chaîne L’Équipe. The best attack in the world? “Personally, I think so, of course,” he replied.
A few minutes later, in a press conference, Didier Deschamps was asked about this statement. “Did Lucas say that?” he wondered before assuring, “I will speak to him right away about it.”
According to the French coach, the media has a “role” to play in preventing overinflating egos. As for the players, he will remind them to stay grounded. “They are more or less immune. It’s not about seeing oneself as better than one is. Obviously, we have the potential, but there will be steps, and our group needs to think about that,” he explained.
Didier Deschamps continued, “I have ambition and I want them to have it. But I don’t want us to lose humility. We will need everything to be stronger than others. I won’t hide and say that we are not among the teams with the potential to be world champions. But there are eight or 10 who can say that. It’s not about boasting: ‘We are the most beautiful, we are the strongest.'” And to conclude on the subject, “From experience, and this is not specific to footballers, when a French athlete is put in comfort, it’s not that they are the best.”
