France coach Didier Deschamps says he is looking forward to a showdown between star players after his side were drawn in the same group as Norway and Senegal for the 2026 World Cup. The 48 contenders discovered their tournament fate at a ceremony in Washington on Friday.
France's national football team coach Didier Deschamps was enthusiastic as he responded to the press after the draw announcement in Washington, where France and Norway came out alongside Senegal in a tough-looking Group I.
"It will be a great duel," Deschamps told reporters, keenly anticipating a showdown between star players Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.
France will be looking to win a third World Cup to make up for losing the 2022 final on penalties to Argentina in Qatar.
"Both teams have lots of other big names, but of course Kylian and Haaland are two players recognised around the world and they will be two of the contenders to be the top scorer," Deschamps said.
Mbappé has scored 30 goals in 24 games for Real Madrid and France since the beginning of this season, while Haaland has netted 33 in 24 appearances for Manchester City and Norway.
Haaland's goals helped Norway top their qualifying group ahead of Italy as they secured a first appearance at the World Cup finals since 1998.
Group I will be completed by the winner of one of the intercontinental play-offs to take place in March, from either Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname.
First steps most difficult
A meeting with Senegal brings back memories of 2002, when France went to the tournament in Japan and South Korea as holders but lost to the west African nation in their opening match and ended up being eliminated in the group stage.
"Every World Cup has its own story and we need to make sure this one is as beautiful as possible," added Deschamps, who will step down after the tournament to bring an end to a 14-year reign at the helm of Les Bleus.
If France top their section, they will play one of the best third-placed teams from the group stage in the round of 32. But then it is likely that Germany would stand in their way in the last 16.
"Of course, as France we have a status and there is a lot of expectation around us, but we need to show respect and humility from the beginning," added Deschamps.
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"Before thinking about what is at the top of the mountain, we will need to work our way up gradually and the first steps are difficult."
The World Cup tournament will be held across the USA, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July, with 16 more teams added to the global showpiece, up from the 32 nations involved in 2022.
While the US will host most matches, including the final at the MetLife Stadium outside New York, three of the 16 venues will be in Mexico and two in Canada.
The opening game sees Mexico play South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, in Group A, which also features South Korea and a qualifier.
Highest-ranked nations kept apart
For the first time, the draw was done in such a way as to ensure the four highest-ranked nations were kept apart – Spain, Argentina, France and England cannot meet before the semi-finals, if all top their groups.
Reigning European champions Spain will kick off their campaign against first-time qualifiers Cape Verde before also taking on Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.
Lionel Messi's Argentina begin their defense of the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022 by facing Algeria, and will also play Austria and debutants Jordan in Group J.
Thomas Tuchel's England, seeking to win a first World Cup since 1966, will be expected to top Group L ahead of 2018 finalists Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
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Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil and surprise 2022 semi-finalists Morocco will meet in Group C, which also features Scotland and Haiti – Scotland and Brazil will meet for the fifth time at a World Cup.
Germany's opponents in Group E will be Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador and Caribbean minnows Curacao, while Portugal face Uzbekistan, Colombia and a play-off winner in Group K.
The United States got a manageable draw, with Paraguay, Australia and a European play-off winner in Group D.
Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland and a qualifier.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, a qualifier, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
(with AFP)
