Three and a half years after their defeat in the World Cup final againstArgentinathe Blues are preparing to return to the World Cup. After two consecutive finals, including the one won in 2018, Didier Deschamps’ men are as always among the favorites of the competition, but will first have to get rid of a far from obvious group made up of the
Norwayof Senegal and theIraq.
A team “double armed”
To prepare,
Kylian Mbappé and his teammates will face the Ivory Coast this Thursday in Nantes. The opportunity for his coach Emerse Fae to return to a stadium where he played for four years (2003-2007) as a player. At a press conference a few hours before kick-off, the former Nantes player took the opportunity to sing the praises of DD
and his men when answering the question of the favorite of the competition. “I don’t want to hide Didier, as he doesn’t like the status of favorite, I’m going to say no. But still, it must be admitted that it is a very formidable teamhe confided. It is armed at all posts, I would even say doubly armed at each post. (…) They are not favorites, but they have weapons. »
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast – Emerse Faé impressed by the strength of the French!#beINFWC2026
pic.twitter.com/TfAZP4teL3— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) June 4, 2026
Mbappé new major player?
The Ivorian coach also believes that Kylian Mbappé should once again be a major player in this World Cup. “I think he had some physical problems which meant that he had a last part of the season which was not as he had planned. But after the elimination of Real (Madrid) in the Champions League, I think his objective was to prepare as best as possible for the World Cup and I think he will come to the World Cup very, very strong.”he added.
A tough group
For their part, the Ivorian players will also be keen to prepare as best as possible for their World Cup, during which they will challenge theEcuadorL’Germany And
Curacao.
