World Cup 2026: Senegal Won’t Be Easy Game For France -Deschamps

France head coach Didier Deschamps has disclosed that their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Senegal will be a highly difficult challenge.

Speaking ahead of the Group I clash at the New York-New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday, he emphasized the Teranga Lions’ immense quality and balanced squad, dismissing any talk of “revenge” for their 2002 World Cup loss.

He also stated that winning the opening match of the World Cup is crucial but not decisive.

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“The first match is very important but it’s not decisive. Starting with a win in a four-team group is ideal and always the objective,” Deschamps told reporters at the venue on Monday.

“But the one thing we can’t measure or quantify is the emotional aspect. Some players might tense up with the atmosphere around the match.

“The ideal thing is to be focused but also relaxed. Senegal are a very, very high-level opponent.

“People are already talking about us being there on July 19th and I don’t really like that, not at all in fact.

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“Yes we might be one of the best teams, but I know only too well that there are important steps before you can think about going that far.”

Deschamps captained the 1998 and 2000 teams before retiring from international football, so was not part of that fiasco.

Almost a quarter of a century later, Deschamps is the coach nearing the end of a remarkable 14-year spell in charge, the 57-year-old will step down after the World Cup.