Coach who announced France's 26-player squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
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The Namibian
Didier Deschamps said France's biggest enemy is probably over-confidence and he remembers 2002
“Coach Didier Deschamps has been warning for months that France's biggest enemy is probably over-confidence.”
Can anyone stop France at the World Cup?The Namibian
Didier Deschamps will step down at the end of the competition after 14 highly successful years in charge
“Deschamps will step down at the end of the competition after 14 highly successful years in charge.”
Mbappe scores twice as France breeze past Sweden into World Cup last 16The Namibian
Didier Deschamps returned to France to attend his mother's funeral
“It was an emotionally charged day for Les Bleus, who had to play this match without coach Didier Deschamps after he returned to France to attend his mother's funeral.”
Dembele hits hat-trick as France thrash second string Norway at World CupThe Namibian
Didier Deschamps departed from team camp following death of his mother
“France and Mbappe's preparations for the game have been disrupted by the departure of manager Didier Deschamps from the team's camp this week following the death of his mother.”
Mbappe v Haaland as France face Norway in World Cup group deciderThe Namibian
Didier Deschamps said France stayed calm during the suspension and he was joking with the players
“"We stayed calm, (during the suspension of the game), I was joking with the players," France coach Didier Deschamps said of the delay.”
Messi sets World Cup scoring record as stars outshine weatherThe Namibian
Didier Deschamps praised Mbappe as an extraordinary player
“"There are still people out there who will criticise him but he is an extraordinary player," France coach Didier Deschamps said of Mbappe.”
Magical Messi equals World Cup goals record as Argentina winThe Namibian
Didier Deschamps said key moment in football is change from defensive to attacking phase
“"The key moment in a game of football is the change from defensive phase to attacking phase, when the opposition has no time," said France coach Didier Deschamps a few months after that game.”
How might this World Cup be won on the pitch?The Namibian
Coach Didier Deschamps announced his 26-man squad for 2026 World Cup
“Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France at the World Cup after coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday announced his 26-man squad for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.”
Mbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World CupThe Namibian
Didier Deschamps changed his entire starting line-up for the game
“Didier Deschamps changed his entire starting line-up for the game played at the home of the NFL's Washington Commanders in Landover, Maryland, the last before he names his World Cup squad in May.”
Doue brace leads France past Colombia in friendlyFrance has won all four games so far with 13 goals scored, including a 3-0 defeat of Sweden, and faces Paraguay in the last 16. Kylian Mbappe has scored six goals in the tournament and has 18 in 18 World Cup appearances.
7 hours ago · The Namibian →
France has won all four games so far with 13 goals scored, including a 3-0 defeat of Sweden, and faces Paraguay in the last 16. Kylian Mbappe has scored six goals in the tournament and has 18 in 18 World Cup appearances.
7 hours ago · The Namibian →
Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Michael Olise was in scintillating form as France beat Sweden 3-0 at the World Cup and set up a last-16 clash with Paraguay. Mbappe moved level with Lionel Messi on six goals in the golden boot race and now has 18 World Cup goals in total, one behind Messi's record of 19.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Ousmane Dembele scored a hat-trick as France defeated Norway 4-1, with Dembele opening in the seventh minute, scoring again on 20 minutes, and completing the hat-trick in the 32nd—one of the earliest in World Cup history. France advanced as Group I winners with nine points and 10 goals in three matches.
26 June 2026 · The Namibian →
France and Norway meet in a crucial World Cup group-stage match on Friday, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland — both on four goals — set to feature prominently. France need only a draw to clinch first place in the group owing to superior goal difference.
26 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer with two goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria, breaking Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals. Messi's tournament tally now stands at 18 goals.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria to become the joint all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals, equalling Miroslav Klose's record.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Omar Artan, set to be the first match official from Somalia to referee at a World Cup finals, was turned back at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to "vetting concerns" from US Customs and Border Protection. FIFA confirmed he would play no part in the tournament, citing the decision as the sole preserve of the United States as tournament co-host.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Amad Diallo scored a late winner as Ivory Coast stunned France 2-1 in a World Cup warm-up match in Nantes on Thursday. Kylian Mbappe had a fruitless evening and was replaced at half-time, remaining stuck on 56 goals for France.
5 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The article examines how international football differs from club football, citing the absence of a transfer market and the pragmatic constraints on national team coaches who must work with available players and fewer high-profile matches.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Coach Didier Deschamps announced France's squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Kylian Mbappe set to spearhead the attack and likely captain the team despite a recent thigh injury. The squad includes attacking talent such as Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Michael Olise, alongside defensive players including William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano.
15 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Desire Doue scored twice as France beat Colombia 3-1 in a friendly in the United States on Sunday, with captain Kylian Mbappe limited to a late substitute appearance. The victory gave France a second win over South American opposition in four days as preparation for the World Cup.
30 March 2026 · The Namibian →