France Boss Puts African Side Among ‘Tough’ WC Opponents

France manager Didier Deschamps highlighted an African side as one of the tough opponents his team will face, saying that the level of competition at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be “ruthless.”

Les Bleus were drawn in Group I alongside Iraq, Norway and Senegal.

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The Teranga Lions defeated France 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 edition of the global showpiece, which was also the African side's first-ever World Cup. They progressed to the quarter-finals, while France were disappointingly knocked out in the group stage without scoring a single goal.

While it may have happened a long time ago, Deschamps believes that Senegal still pose a viable threat.

“Be warned, the level of competition is ruthless. We have some tough opponents. I respect Iraq, but Senegal and Norway are very, very good teams,” he said per Pan Africa Football.

The 57-year-old also responded to his side being among the favourites to win the entire competition, given that Les Bleus are the number-one-ranked international side in the world.

“We have attacking potential… but all nine players won’t necessarily play together. It’s important to have options and to be able to distribute playing time,” Deschamps said.

“It’s good that the French national team is first in the FIFA rankings. So, there’s no problem being among the favourites. But are we more favourites than Spain, Portugal, England, Brazil, Germany, Argentina or Morocco?

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“You’ll have your own answer. I know there are expectations, but we have some tough opponents in our first three matches. And we have to focus on the first one first. There are expectations, that’s true.

“It’s also my fault and the players’ fault for having created them. It’s not about running away from it (the favourite status), but it’s not about saying ‘woah’ either."