Despite France’s two wins in as many matches during this March international break against Brazil and Colombia, Didier Deschamps does not want to fall into overconfidence just two and a half months before the 2026 World Cup. According to the French coach, a French athlete “in comfort” risks not optimizing their performance.
It’s not time for swaggering. Winners over Colombia this Sunday with a significantly revamped squad (3-1) just three days after the impressive victory against Brazil while playing a half with 10 players against 11 (2-1), the Blues are impressing the football world. Their stock is rising sharply just two and a half months before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
This has sparked a wave of optimism, even euphoria, among the players of the French team. “We have a great team. From the goalkeeper to the attack, it’s exceptional. The quality of the attacking players is extraordinary,” said Lucas Hernandez to La Chaîne L’Équipe. The best attack in the world? “Personally, I think so, for sure,” he replied.
“I don’t want us to lose humility”
A few minutes later, at a press conference, Didier Deschamps was asked about this statement. “Did Lucas say that?” he wondered before assuring, “I will talk to him right away behind the scenes.”
According to the French coach, the media has a “role” to play in not getting carried away. As for the players, he will remind them to stay grounded. “They are more or less impermeable. It’s not about seeing oneself as better than we are. Obviously, we have the potential to, but we will have stages and our group must think about that,” he explained.
Didier Deschamps continued, “I have ambition and I want them to have it too. But I don’t want us to lose humility. We will need everything to be stronger than others. I won’t hide and say we’re not among the teams that have the potential to be world champions. But there are eight or 10 teams that can say that. It’s not about boasting: ‘We’re the most beautiful, we’re the strongest.'” And to conclude on the matter: “From experience, and this is not specific to footballers, when the French athlete is put in comfort, it doesn’t mean they are the best.”
