“We are proud of him”: football clubs in Dordogne thrilled to see Maxence Lacroix at the World Cup. Dordogne footballer Maxence Lacroix “deserves to fulfill his dream” at the World Cup.
For the first time in the history of the French national team, a player from Périgord will wear the Blue jersey at a World Cup. On Thursday, May 14, during the 8pm news on TF1, French national team coach Didier Deschamps revealed his list for the 2026 World Cup which will take place in North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico). Among the 26 players called up, defender Maxence Lacroix, originally from Ajat near Thenon (Dordogne).
It was in Thenon that Maxence Lacroix discovered football and put on his first cleats. “Congratulations Maxence, we are all behind you”, wrote F.C Thenon Limeyrat Fossemagne on their social media. “We were waiting for this announcement eagerly! See you in a month to closely follow our local star in this 2026 World Cup”, posted the town of Thenon on their Facebook page.
Maxence Lacroix has also been part of other clubs in Dordogne like Montignac-Lascaux, where he played as a child. “Maxence Lacroix, who played for our club, has been selected for the 2026 World Cup! Congratulations, we are proud of you”, mentioned ES Montignacoise on their Facebook page.
And then in Trélissac, tributes pour in, both on the airwaves of ICI Périgord and on social media with these words from the club: “It’s a great pride for the Dordogne clubs where Maxence played for several seasons, including from 2012 to 2025 at Trélissac Antonne Périgord Football Club before moving to FC Sochaux-Montbéliard to start his professional football journey”.
“I was sure he would be in the France squad”, explained Rachid Kerkri, Maxence Lacroix’s coach during his time at Trélissac youth team. “He had a great season with his club Crystal Palace and he fully deserves it”, continued the coach who now handles the first team at ES Boulazac. “It’s a great feeling of pride to have been his coach for a few years even though he owes this call-up to himself”.
“Even as a child, he had physical abilities but above all, he had an impeccable attitude”, concluded Rachid Kerkri, his former coach in Trélissac. “It’s a joy and a pride for the Dordogne department and a pride for Périgord football”, explained Jonathan Blondy, president of the Dordogne district. “All the clubs he has been part of will watch the World Cup and follow the journey of Maxence Lacroix”, added the football chief in Dordogne on ICI Périgord.
