The French team ended its 2026 World Cup with immense disappointment. Already stunned by their elimination in the semi-finals against Spain (0-2), the Blues completely collapsed on Saturday against England in the match for third place, conceding four goals in the first period before finally losing in an incredible scenario (4-6). A performance deemed unacceptable by Didier Deschamps, who did not hide his anger at the final whistle, just like Adrien Rabiot, who was very critical of the investment of some of his partners.
For several days, however, the climate around the Blues was particular. Several internationals had publicly suggested that this small final hardly motivated them, believing that this meeting had little interest after having let slip the dream of playing in the final. A demobilization which was finally felt on the pitch from the first minutes of the meeting. According to the revelations of The Teamthe French staff had also noticed worrying attitudes in the hours preceding the meeting, with players more focused on their vacations than on the sporting issue.
Unmotivated players, even during warm-ups…
The daily explains in particular that the exits of Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki, Ibrahima Konaté and Théo Hernandez during the break illustrated this mental bankruptcy. “Losses of the ball, lack of running, sometimes questionable body language: this quartet (they were far from being the only ones) symbolized this pre-match demobilization perceived by the staff” writes the French daily. The Blues staff had visibly quickly understood, from the warm-up in fact, that certain players were not in the necessary conditions to play in a World Cup match, despite the symbolic stakes of a third place.
The Team also points to the responsibility of several executives. Kylian Mbappé is particularly targeted for his lack of enthusiasm between the semi-final and this meeting, with a pre-match warm-up considered particularly nonchalant and very far from his investment until the semi-final. Enough to send a different message to his teammates. On the ground, his attitude also raised questions. “His first period with smiles after each English goal and no gesture of revolt also raises questions”explains the French daily. Even if Mbappé still scored a double in this match. As for Théo Hernandez, The Team reveals that he is undoubtedly the one who has tried the least to hide his low motivation to play this match in recent days. Revelations which confirm the deep unease which surrounded the last hours of Didier Deschamps at the head of the Blues.
