As the French team prepares to fly to America to compete in the 2026 World Cup, Didier Deschamps will be able to count on a group combining experience and youth. Before their start against Senegal on June 16 at MetLife Stadium, the Blues will play two preparation matches against Ivory Coast, this Thursday evening, and Northern Ireland, on Monday June 8. To try to win a third star, the French coach notably placed his trust in several players who had already participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games under the direction of Thierry Henry, unhappy finalists against the incredible Fermín López’s Spain (3-5).
Among them, Rayan Cherki, Désiré Doué, Maghnes Akliouche, Manu Koné, Michael Olise and even Jean-Philippe Mateta will all be traveling to the United States, Canada and Mexico. Six players who already made up a significant part of the Olympic group and whose progression confirmed the choices made at the time by Thierry Henry. Despite a complicated context, marked by numerous refusals from clubs and several injuries, the former coach of the Espoirs had been able to rely on profiles which have since established themselves in the landscape of French football. Michael Olise had already had a great competition with 2 goals and 5 offerings, just like Mateta: 5 goals in 6 matches.
Thierry Henry was right in his choices
Some have even changed size. This is the case for Michael Olise. Author of an exceptional season with Bayern Munich punctuated by 22 goals and 26 assists, he is now considered one of the best players in his position and an indisputable starter for the Blues. Thierry Henry did not fail to praise the Frenchman after his masterclass against Real Madrid on CBS : “Michael is a different player. He has a way of thinking, of seeing life as he sees a match. He sees things that few people can see. He understands the game in a different way. He sees the game with his brain. He doesn’t watch the match with his eyes, he tries to imagine what can happen when the ball leaves the goalkeeper. You have to be ahead in your head to see what’s going on. Then you can dribble. He sees the game in a different way, that’s why people don’t understand him off the field. He’s a good guy. I can tell you that if he doesn’t talk much off the field, he talks very well with the ball.
For his part, Désiré Doué has also taken a huge step forward since the Games, joining PSG, winning two consecutive Champions Leagues and logically discovering the France A team. Manu Koné and Maghnes Akliouche continued their progress until winning their first selections and naturally joining the list of 26 for the France team. As for Rayan Cherki, despite limited playing time under Henry, he was already part of the Olympic project and could still play an important role coming off the bench during this World Cup. Author of a good first season with Manchester City (10 goals and 16 assists), Cherki will inevitably have a different role in America.
Different trajectories too
Others will have a less strong status, but will still be present. Jean-Philippe Mateta, chosen by Thierry Henry to bring his experience to a very young team, took advantage of Hugo Ekitiké’s package to appear in the group. Robin Risser is also enjoying a good trajectory: initially selected for the Games before having to withdraw, the RC Lens goalkeeper finally found his place with the A, helped by his progress, but also by the injuries and difficulties of Lucas Chevalier in Paris. In total, six Olympic silver medalists will represent France in two weeks. Proof that Thierry Henry was right on several profiles, especially since players like Adrien Truffert and Loïc Badé could also have claimed a place. Excellent news for the Blues, whose newcomers already have the advantage of having played a major competition together before finding executives like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé or Aurélien Tchouaméni.
