France captain Kylian Mbappe was honoured for reaching 100 international appearances, receiving a commemorative jersey from coach Didier Deschamps. Deschamps himself was celebrated for becoming the most successful manager in FIFA World Cup history with 17 victories. Despite their dominant performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, both Mbappe and Deschamps cautioned against complacency ahead of their Round of 16 match against Paraguay.
'Kylian's gesture touched me deeply'
France head coach Didier Deschamps made World Cup history by becoming the most successful manager in terms of victories after France's dominant 3-0 win over Sweden, with Kylian Mbapp starring once again to send Les Bleus into the Round of 16.
Didier Deschamps is flying back to France to attend his mother's funeral and will not coach the team's last Group I game at the World Cup against Norway, the French federation said on Tuesday.
'Every time he beats his own record, he does have the capacity to up his ante.'
France arrive in Philadelphia as the World Cup's most feared attacking force, but Kylian Mbappe and coach Didier Deschamps have warned that acclaim, records and a seemingly clear path mean little if they fail to stay grounded against Paraguay in Saturday's last-16 clash.
France's formidable attack has propelled them through the World Cup group stage, but coach Didier Deschamps is focused on resolving issues on the team's left side before their Round of 32 match against Sweden.
France's march into the World Cup last 16 has been built on an attacking force so relentless that comparisons with some of the greatest forward lines in football history are no longer sounding premature.
France has become the first team in FIFA World Cup history to score three or more goals in five consecutive matches, a milestone confirmed after their 3-0 victory over Sweden. Captain Kylian Mbappe's double secured their spot in the Round of 16 and set new personal records, surpassing Ronaldo and Leonidas in knockout stage goals and nearing Lionel Messi's overall World Cup goal tally.
France can secure a more comfortable route through the World Cup when they face Norway in their final Group I match on Friday, though finishing top could leave them facing one of the toughest roads to the trophy.
Ousmane Dembele scored a first-half hat-trick as France made sure of top spot in World Cup Group I with a ruthless 4-1 win on Friday over a second-string Norway who like the French had already qualified for the next round of the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe scored two goals, leading France to a dominant 3-0 victory over Sweden in the World Cup Round of 32. This win maintains France's perfect record and sets up a last-16 clash with Paraguay, with Mbappe continuing his impressive World Cup scoring streak.
Kylian Mbappe scored two goals, equalling Miroslav Klose's World Cup record, as France defeated Iraq 3-0 to advance to the last 32. The match was significantly delayed by thunderstorms, but France maintained control with Ousmane Dembele also scoring. Iraq's chances of progressing now depend on their final group match and other results.
Kylian Mbappe is under immense pressure and facing criticism regarding his recent performances and leadership ahead of France's World Cup opener. Despite a trophy-less season with Real Madrid, his teammates Ousmane Dembele and Lucas Hernandez defend him, highlighting his leadership within the French squad and his focus on the tournament. Mbappe has a strong World Cup record and aims to silence critics by performing well in the upcoming matches.
Kylian Mbappe became France's all-time leading scorer with a double to power his team to victory against Senegal on Tuesday.
With Kylian Mbappe's depth and experience, economists predict France are tipped to edge Spain to lift World Cup.
France forward Hugo Ekitike suffered a ruptured Achilles during Liverpool's Champions League clash against Paris St Germain on Tuesday.
Zinedine Zidane is expected to take over as France's head coach after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the departure of Didier Deschamps after 14 years in charge.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Juventus have sacked head coach Igor Tudor after failing to win their last eight matches in all competitions, the Serie A club said on Monday.
What has made Deschamps successful in tournaments, especially at the World Cup since 2018, is not sticking to a particular identity or philosophy which is often the defining feature of big teams.
Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup on Sunday with a 9-1 hammering of Armenia that included hat-tricks from both Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves.
"There are other steps and it starts on Wednesday. Let's be happy with what we've done tonight even if it's not enough. At least we broke the (defending champions') curse," he added.
Sweden's hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup are hanging by a thread after Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka scored from the spot to help the visitors win 2-0 in their qualifying Group B clash on Friday.
France's perfect record in their World Cup qualifying campaign ended as they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Iceland who got a late equaliser in an entertaining Group D clash on Monday.
Kylian Mbappe has been called up to the France squad for the first time since last September to face Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals, coach Didier Deschamps said on Thursday.
Striker Kylian Mbappe will bounce back from missing the decisive penalty in France's shootout loss to Switzerland on Monday that saw the world champions exit Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage, coach Didier Deschamps said.
Didier Deschamps is leaving Olympique Marseille after three years as a coach, the Ligue 1 club and the former world and European champion said on Monday.
Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal inspired his country to a thrilling 5-4 win over France on Thursday to send the holders through to their third successive Nations League final where they will face Iberian neighbours Portugal.
France coach Didier Deschamps hailed young striker Kylian Mbappe for his decisive contribution in the 1-0 victory over Peru in Yekaterinburg that enabled them to progress from Group C into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday.
Deschamps has proven both innovative and brave as coach, and is now one victory away from joining an elite club.
Deschamps said 14 of his players were World Cup newcomers but were ready to work towards a common goal and were mentally more mature than their age.
Didier Deschamps, who captained France to both World Cup and European triumphs, shared some of his sports psychology secrets on Saturday on the eve of his French side's Euro 2016 final against Portugal.
Didier Deschamps has been appointed France coach, the French football federation said in a statement on Sunday.
Didier Deschamps has let his hair go grey naturally since the last time he picked up a European title 16 years ago. The diminutive Deschamps was never a spectacular player -- a la Zinedine Zidane -- and certainly does not belong to the Jose Mourinho school of coaching with sensational sound bites. But the unglamorous Frenchman with the twangy voice has been instrumental in taking the host nation through to Sunday's Euro 2016 final against Portugal.
France coach Didier Deschamps was relieved to come through his side's 2-0 quarter-final win over Uruguay without losing any of his players to an unnecessary suspension, he said after Friday's match in Nizhny Novgorod.
"I'm very happy for my players, we showed character and the right mentality, it was very hard for us tonight. We worked hard defensively."
France soccer coach Didier Deschamps will file a legal complaint against Eric Cantona after his former national teammate suggested the squad selection for Euro 2016 was racially motivated, Deschamps's lawyer said on Friday.
Monaco's coach was also vague about his own future after his side's 3-0 defeat by Porto in the Champions League final.
France coach Didier Deschamps was more than just relieved after his team scored two late goals to beat a stubborn Albania team 2-0 on Wednesday and reach the second round of Euro 2016.
