The probable composition of the Blues for Senegal
A full group for a composition without surprises? The France group trained for the last time before entering tomorrow’s World Cup against Senegal. A session which took place in Whippany, 45 minutes from Manhattan, where the New York Red Bulls team usually trains. On site, the weather was much milder than in recent days with 22 degrees. The Blues appeared very relaxed with a full group. The training started with stretching and some juggling. Didier Deschamps then focused on refining the details of his team.
An eleven which, as already explained by RMC Sport, should be the same as that in the last preparation match against Northern Ireland. It is again this same eleven which was tested today. In front of Mike Maignan, the defense should once again be made up of Jules Koundé, Théo Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba. The Arsenal defender, who has been suffering from back problems for several weeks, trained normally again today. In the heart of the game, Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni should once again be associated. In attack, Dembélé could find himself surrounded by Michael Olise and Désiré Doué. All behind captain Kylian Mbappé.
The probable composition of the Blues for Senegal: Maignan РKound, Upamecano, Saliba, T.Hernandez РRabiot, Tchouameni РOlise, Demb̩, Dou̩ РMbappe
Arthur Perrot, Florent Germain, Fabrice Hawkins et Valentin Jamin
“Tomorrow, here we go”, Mbappé ready for his third World Cup
The captain of the Blues posted a message on the networks to launch his third World Cup on the eve of the match against Senegal, this Tuesday June 16 (9 p.m.) in New Jersey.
The entire Blues during match eve training
The French group is complete this Monday evening during the last training of the Blues.
AP
This is the end of this Pape Thiaw press conference
The Senegalese coach, present as a player in 2002, has been challenged on the subject several times.
Thiaw wants to be inspired by Bruno Metsu’s speech in 2002
Pape Thiaw on Bruno Metsu’s speech in 2002: “Bruno was like my dad, my mentor, peace to his soul. We learned a lot and took from him. There will be Bruno in the speech tomorrow. I was lucky enough to be there in 2002 for this victory. Tomorrow, I will be on the bench and that’s special. Because I was in 2002 already on the bench without being able to play But tomorrow I will be able to act to get this victory by adding Bruno Metsu ingredients to my sauce.
Thiaw promises great support in the stands despite visa problems
Pape Thiaw on supporters deprived of visas: “It’s a political question, I prefer to talk about the green rectangle. Of course we would like to have our supporters for what they can do for us, to push us in difficult times. Today we don’t have them but we know that there is a large community of supporters here in the United States. You will see it tomorrow, you won’t believe that there are no Senegalese who were able to make the trip.”
Pape Thiaw: “Of course France is favorite”
Pape Thiaw: “Of course France is the favorite. First in the FIFA rankings and finalist of the last edition and winner in 2018, that’s for sure. Afterwards it’s football that’s played and won on the pitch. So you have to be ready, determined and have the desire. My players will have these qualities tomorrow to respond today.”
Pape Thiaw: “It wouldn’t be a surprise to win”
Pape Thiaw: “A surprise to win tomorrow? No, because we have world-class players in this team which has just been African champion. In the last competitions we have just qualified three times in a row. We are finalists three times in the last four CAN, so no surprise. My team is working, we know that the matches will be difficult especially in our group. It’s a World Cup, all the teams deserve to be there. I don’t like it when we talk about surprises in football.”
Pape Thiaw not surprised by the evolution of the level of African teams
Pape Thiaw: “I think that for you they are surprises but not for me. Because African football has evolved a lot in recent times. We saw it with Morocco in the semi-final four years ago. They are not surprises. We are lucky to have more teams at the World Cup. We are going to see more African teams shine. We saw that the level of the The last CAN was very high and that’s why the competition was followed. Now all of this is just the first matches. A World Cup is not a sprint but a marathon.
Pape Thiaw on the “symbolics” of a France-Senegal
Pape Thiaw: “In 2002 I was at the World Cup and we had the opportunity to play against France and win 1-0 thanks to my brother, peace to his soul, Pape Bouba Diop. Today I can coach my team to go for victory again because we prepare all our matches to win them. On the other hand, we will have a great team with great individuals, but as I said earlier, we are relying more on our collective. The matches between France and Senegal are symbolic and represent a lot.
Relaunched on 2002: “It’s past 2002. The story is not on the pitch. It’s true that we won, I don’t know if for them it will be a revenge. But we prepared it like the other matches to win it.”
Thiaw’s nice words for Guy Stéphan
Pape Thiaw on Guy Stéphan: “I had him as a coach so I greet him in passing. Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to see him. We shared the plane when we came to the draw. We discussed well. Unfortunately we fall into the same group. He contributed to the development of Senegalese football. We are focusing on our team now for the match of tomorrow.”
Thiaw: “France has world-class players, we rely on our collective”
Pape Thiaw: “I have my whole group available. Kalidou (Coulibaly) returned for the last preparation match. Everyone had playing time. Opposite us we will have a good French team, a very difficult match and we are prepared for that. They have world class players and we are relying on our collective. Let’s hope that tomorrow the answer will be like this.”
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw does not want to return to the CAN
Pape Thiaw at a press conference: “I don’t want to come back to the CAN. For us, we are African champions. I don’t want to come back to that. The CAN is behind us, we are in the World Cup. We have prepared for it well. As for my contract, it’s ancient history. Make way for patriotism. We came to make our country happy to leave this competition head held high.”
At least 5,000 French supporters expected against Senegal
The Blues enter the 2026 World Cup this Tuesday, June 16 (9 p.m.) against Senegal at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey. And they should be supported by at least 5,000 supporters, who have been flocking to New York for a few days now. The different associations have also planned to gather this Monday at 7:30 p.m. (local time) in Times Square, in the heart of Manhattan, to raise the mood for the first time, while in the afternoon, some will have already gathered at different meeting points.
As in every competition, a “Casa Bleue”, which can welcome supporters with various activities, will be open on the day of the match near the stadium. The price of the trip, ticket and accommodation has put some off, but Les Bleus supporters will try to make themselves heard against Senegal, in an enclosure of almost 80,000 seats. French fans could even be a little more numerous because expatriates residing in the United States could buy tickets via global general public sales. And the French Football Federation has no visibility on these figures.
VJ
End of the Blues press conference
News from the French team continues live on RMC Sport, on the eve of its entry into the 2026 World Cup against Senegal, this Tuesday June 16 at 9 p.m. (French time) in New Jersey.
“We will have to manage the emotional aspect,” slips Deschamps
“Senegal is a very good team with very good players. I don’t like to compare eras. Those of 2002 obtained a great victory, but in front of us, we will also have high quality players. We will do everything to negotiate this first match well. We know what to expect, too. It will be a relationship Everyone is preparing to win this match. We will have to manage the emotional aspect and the importance of the match. The ideal is to be focused and relaxed. Our ideas are clear and we will do everything so that in the end, the outcome is positive.
“My goal is to protect the players”, Deschamps on Mbappé’s absence at press conference
“Kylian has a worldwide reputation, including here in the United States. He is the one in charge. My primary objective is to protect my players. This morning, I saw three players. We will have twice an hour’s journey. I also want to protect N’Golo, but I know that he gets up very early. With the extreme heat, I in order to protect my players. Kylian is adored all over the world. His popularity is global, he lives with that, but that’s not why he’s not a natural in the group with his responsibility as captain.”
More information here.
“No revenge compared to 2002”, breathes Deschamps
“It’s part of history, but most of my players were not born in 2002. There is no revenge, it was 24 years ago. There is another page to write. We will do everything to ensure that the result goes our way this time.”
“With a high-level Ousmane, it will be a plus,” admits Deschamps
“It’s true that Ousmane (Dembélé) started early in the selection, but he had numerous injuries. With PSG, his Golden Ball highlights him. He is very focused, with the desire to be very good and decisive, as he is quite regularly with his club, even if his physical problems led him to miss a lot of matches. We allowed him to escape the victory in the Champions League. Obviously with a high level Ousmane, it will be a plus.
“We know what to expect against Senegal,” promises Deschamps
“Senegal are one of the best teams, they have everything in terms of quality, players who play in the best clubs, a good midfielder, an athletic and technical dimension. We know what to expect, they too. It will be a high-level clash.”
“The big favorite is Spain,” assures Deschamps
To a question from a Spanish journalist: “That the Spaniards consider us as the favorites for the World Cup… If there is a favorite team, it’s Spain, even if France legitimately has the ambition to obtain this title. But the road will be long. France has high-level potential, even if we have a renewal of the squad. I’m not going consider the French team stronger than the others, but the big favorite is Spain, I have no doubt about that.”
“Senegal is one of the best teams in the world,” says Deschamps
“Given what Senegal achieved at the last CAN, they are a very high-level opponent. They are one of the best African and world teams. We know what to expect in this first match.”
“That gives us the possibility of modifying things”, Deschamps on refreshment breaks
Vincent Duluc relays a question from Christophe Gleizes, imprisoned in Algeria, about his speeches during refreshment breaks. “I met Christophe’s parents, I hope he will be there as soon as possible to ask his questions. During the refreshment breaks, that leaves the possibility of being able to modify certain things with the players for three minutes. That leaves us with two additional parentheses. It also cuts the halves, so we have to adapt. We put that in place during the preparation matches. We have four quarters.
“We want to start with a victory,” says Deschamps
“This match is very important because it’s the first. But it’s not decisive. Ideally, we want to start with a victory. That’s the objective.”
Didier Deschamps’ turn
The Blues coach is ready to answer questions…
“The World Cup is always as beautiful”, slips Kanté
“This is my second World Cup. In 2018, it was new, it was great to win it. For this one, it’s different, with new players, but it’s still just as great. And I want to take advantage of it and win again.”
“We are safe from nothing,” warns Kanté
“We are led by the coach, we have been waiting for the start of the competition for a long time. We give 100%, we respect the coach’s instructions, all our players count. We work every day to prepare well for this first match.”
“We have a lot of qualities in the team, but there are others. We must not see ourselves too good, even if we must believe in ourselves. We must take the matches one after the other. We are safe from anything. Nothing is a foregone conclusion.”
“We want a victory, not a revenge,” assures Kante
“I have Malian origins, but I have represented France for a long time. The desire is to win against Senegal. We saw what happened in 2002. We want a victory today, not for revenge, but to start the competition well and go as far as possible.”
“Senegal has a lot of qualities, their midfielder in particular, who was good in the last competition. They also have a good attack and a good defense. We will have to take them seriously, but I think we have what it takes to win.”
“Our main adversary is ourselves,” says Kanté
“It’s good to have confidence, we have to believe in ourselves. But a lot of things can happen, we will have to adapt. Our main opponent is ourselves. We will have to be focused.”
“We have seen how we are tested”, Kanté is wary of the high heat
On playing at 3 p.m. (local time): “It was an element of our preparation. Training in the heat and the sun. We saw how tested we are. We have to take advantage of the cool breaks. Everyone is concerned. The players on the bench will be important. We are ready for start.”
“The final is a goal, but it will be very difficult,” warns Kanté
“The final is a goal for us, as for many teams. But it will be very difficult. We will take the matches one after the other. We appreciate the support of our fans around the world. A lot of people support us.”
“We would like to relive these emotions”, Kanté compares the situation of the Blues with that of 2018
On his second World Cup, after 2018: “The difference is that there are those who won it in the group. We saw what it represents and the joy it brings for the people. We would like to relive these emotions. The new ones also want to be part of this adventure. Me, I live well in this group. There has been a lot of renewal in the squad. I appreciate being there. Everyone counts in this group.
“Important to start with a victory,” says Kanté
“We have a very tough group with opponents who will give their all. To not be surprised, it’s important to start with a victory. We feel good. We can’t wait to get started. We want to get into the competition.”
Kanté s’exprime en premier
Let’s go for the Blues press conference…
The Deschamps and Kante conference will begin
The Blues coach and the Fenerbahçe midfielder will answer questions from the media, on the eve of their entry into contention against Senegal in this 2026 World Cup.
Absent from the media this Monday, Mbappé should make his return to a press conference before the match against Iraq
Match day before this Monday, June 15 for the Blues in New York! At 4:30 p.m. French time, N’Golo Kanté will appear before the media at MetLife Stadium. Captain Kylian Mbappé is therefore missing. This absence is part of a much broader context where Fifa first imposed on the Blues their hotel here, in Jersey City. It is also the body which set the time for the match against Senegal, at 3 p.m. (9 p.m. French time). The entire week of the French team was therefore modeled on this schedule at the start of the afternoon, in New York.
For the day before the match, Fifa asked that the press conference be held at the stadium and in an outdoor training center at Melanie Lane. This results in a significant travel time: 30 minutes between the players’ hotel and the enclosure in New Jersey and around 1 hour for training. For the Blues staff, it was out of the question to put a starter for so much time in a car on the eve of such an important deadline.
Kylian Mbappé wanted to give today’s press conference but after reflection it was felt that it was more reasonable not to be present given the travel time. According to our information, the captain of the Blues is expected to speak at the next press conference on the eve of the match against Iraq, on Monday June 22 (11 p.m. French time).
Arthur Perrot, in New York (United States)
Kanté at press conference with Deschamps this Monday
N’Golo Kanté will accompany Didier Deschamps at a press conference at the New York stadium at 4:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. NY time). The Blues will train at 10 p.m. at the Mélanie Lane stadium (4 p.m. local time).
JLT
Ciryl Gane will stay in the United States to attend the Blues match
According to information from RMC Sport, Ciryl Gane will attend the France team’s match against Senegal on Tuesday (9 p.m.) at the World Cup. A big football fan, “Bon Gamin” was given tickets by the UFC after his resounding victory against Brazilian Alex Pereira on Sunday at UFC 250 at the White House. The Frenchman, winner by TKO in the second round, regained the interim heavyweight belt.
(Romain Poujaud, Ã Washington)
La fin du 10+1, Mbappé déterminé à défendre ?
In an interview with Le Parisien, the captain of the Blues recognized that he could defend more than usual… “I think he is in good faith”, estimates Walid Acherchour in After Foot. But Flo Gautreau doubts its implementation. The Blues begin their World Cup against Senegal this Tuesday, June 16.
But who are the captains of the Blues?
RMC Sport brings you into the group of the French team by presenting you the six captains of the Blues in a series in as many episodes. Link the first four articles already posted on our site.
>> Article 1/6: William Saliba, from cropped student to boss of the French defense
>> Article 2/6: Aurélien Tchouaméni, the vice-captain who ended up getting everyone to agree
>> Article 3/6: Ousmane Dembélé, the World Cup of consecration?
>> Article 4/6: Mike Maignan, captain of the Blues without armband
“He sees what no one sees”, Rayan Cherki told by his trainer
Interview with Amaury Barlet, OL trainer from 2011 to 2024, who notably saw the emergence of Rayan Cherki. “He always loved the game, he was passionate about it,” he says, while the Manchester City winger will play in the 2026 World Cup with the France team.
The probable line-up of the Blues for France-Senegal
William Saliba participated well in the Blues’ collective training this Saturday, after having missed the previous sessions due to back discomfort. For the start of the World Cup against Senegal, it is the same team composition as in the last friendly match which is taking shape.
The likely squad of the Blues against Senegal: Maignan – Kound, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez – Tchouameni, Rabiot – Dembele, Olise, Dou – Mbappe
>> All the details here: the probable line-up of the Blues for France-Senegal
We know the name of the referee of the Blues’ first match in the World Cup (and it’s a very good memory)
Fifa has revealed the name of the referee who will officiate during the match between France and Senegal at the opening of Group I this Tuesday. And it’s an old (and not unpleasant) acquaintance of the Blues.
>> All the details here: We know the name of the referee of the Blues’ first match in the World Cup (and it’s a very good memory)
Hello everyone
Welcome to our live stream to follow all the information live on the eve of the French team’s first match at the 2026 World Cup, Tuesday (9 p.m.) at MetLife Stadium in New York. The Blues left their base camp in Boston on Sunday to join New York. Didier Deschamps is due to speak at a press conference this Monday.
>> Find information from the Blues over the last few days in our former live France team
