World Cup 2026: Senegal Will Be a Tough Opponent for France, Says Deschamps

France head coach Didier Deschamps said the national team’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Senegal will be a tough test.

Speaking before the Group I game at the New York‑New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday, he highlighted the Teranga Lions’ high quality and balanced squad, ruling out any notion of “revenge” for their 2002 World Cup defeat.

Deschamps also stressed that winning the first match is important but not decisive.

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“The first match is very important but it’s not decisive. Starting with a win in a four‑team group is ideal and always the objective,” Deschamps told reporters at the venue on Monday.

“But the one thing we can’t measure or quantify is the emotional aspect. Some players might tense up with the atmosphere around the match.”

“The ideal thing is to be focused but also relaxed. Senegal are a very, very high‑level opponent.”

“People are already talking about us being there on July 19th and I don’t really like that, not at all in fact.”

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“Yes we might be one of the best teams, but I know only too well that there are important steps before you can think about going that far.”

Deschamps captained the 1998 and 2000 squads before retiring from international football, so was not part of that fiasco.

Almost a quarter of a century later, Deschamps is the coach nearing the end of a remarkable 14‑year spell in charge; the 57‑year‑old will step down after the World Cup.