Didier Deschamps did not have Spain in thoughts when requested who the favorites are to win the World Cup forward of France’s Group I opener on Tuesday.
France will start the season with a tricky check towards Senegal on the New York/New Jersey Stadium, however this can be Deschamps’ final main match as Les Bleus supervisor.
The match towards Senegal can be Deschamps’ twentieth World Cup sport as France supervisor, and solely Helmut Schoen has managed extra video games with a single crew (25 with West Germany).
He’s one in all three gamers, together with Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer, to have gained the competitors as both a participant or a head coach, however he expects Spain to elevate their first title since 2010 after their success on the European Championships.
The Opta supercomputer assigned France a 14% probability of profitable the World Cup, with solely Spain (16%) predicted higher in pre-tournament simulations.
Deschamps appeared to agree with that prediction, however didn’t rule out France’s participation even earlier than he kicked a ball in North America.
Deschamps advised reporters: “If the Spaniards suppose we’re the favorites to win the World Cup…if there’s one favourite to win it, it’s Spain.”
“It is clear France have high-level potential, however they’ve an extended method to go. They’ve additionally made a change of their squad, and so they have loads of high quality gamers, however this can be their first World Cup.”
“I do not suppose the French crew is stronger than the opposite groups, however the huge favourite is Spain, there is not any doubt about that.”
France and Senegal will play one another for the second time within the World Cup.
The 2 sides first met within the group stage in 2002, with Senegal profitable 1-0 of their first World Cup match, nevertheless it was additionally the final time France had been eradicated of their first match of the match.
Each groups had been undefeated in World Cup qualifying. France gained 5 of their six matches (D1) and Senegal topped the group forward of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Deschamps acknowledging the difficulties going through his aspect.
When requested what adjustments he made to his preparation earlier than enjoying towards Senegal, Deshcamp mentioned: “Nothing.
“Due to what Senegal has achieved to date, they’re a really high-level opponent, however there was the identical consideration and the identical respect for the opponents we performed earlier than.
“However Senegal is likely one of the finest groups in Africa and on the earth.”
Deschamps was additionally requested about Ousmane Dembele’s type heading into the World Cup after a profitable season with Paris Saint-Germain.
Dembele performed 44 video games in all competitions within the 2025-26 season, scoring 22 targets and offering 12 assists, however struggled on the worldwide stage.
He has scored simply seven targets in 59 appearances for his nation, however was substituted within the forty first minute in France’s defeat within the World Cup remaining 4 years in the past.
Deschamps mentioned of Dembélé’s type with the French nationwide crew: “He began early for the nationwide crew, however he additionally had loads of breaks resulting from accidents.”
“At membership stage, video games are performed each three days. Profitable the Ballon d’Or, which he deserves, highlights that.”
“Regardless of having had bodily issues this season and lacking loads of video games, he, like all of the gamers, is concentrated and has a want to indicate good decisiveness, as he performs frequently for PSG.
“We gave him time bodily and mentally to flee the Champions League remaining and get replaced. However it is going to be a plus for the French crew as a result of Ousmane is on the high of his stage.”
