France Coach Deschamps Eager for Mbappe-Haaland Clash in 2026 World Cup Group
France’s head coach, Didier Deschamps, expressed his excitement on Friday over a potential showdown between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland after the draw placed France and Norway in the same group for the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, where the draw was held alongside Senegal in a challenging Group I, Deschamps said: “It promises to be an exciting duel. Both squads feature several star players, but Kylian and Haaland are globally recognized and will certainly be in the running for the tournament’s top scorer.”
Mbappe has been in sensational form, scoring 30 goals in 24 matches for Real Madrid and France this season, while Haaland has recorded 33 goals in 24 games for Manchester City and Norway. Haaland’s impressive scoring helped Norway top their qualifying group ahead of Italy, securing their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
France will aim to capture their third World Cup title, seeking redemption after losing the 2022 final on penalties to Argentina in Qatar.
The rest of Group I will be rounded out by the winner of an intercontinental play-off scheduled for March, which will feature either Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname.
Deschamps also recalled France’s 2002 World Cup disappointment, when the defending champions were eliminated in the group stage after losing their opening match to Senegal. “Every World Cup has its own story, and we want this one to be a memorable journey,” he added.
The veteran coach, who plans to step down after the tournament, noted that if France top their group, they could face one of the best third-placed teams in the round of 32, with Germany likely awaiting in the round of 16.
“France carries a lot of expectations, but we must approach the tournament with respect and humility,” Deschamps concluded. “The first steps are always the hardest, and we need to take it gradually before aiming for the top.”
