 |
| Mbappe (left) is the leader of a team full of stars. Photo: AFP |
One figure who has been present in the finals of three World Cups for the French national team in 1998, 2018, and 2022 is the current coach of the French national team, Didier Deschamps. Perhaps Deschamps is the most decorated football star both as a player and a coach, having won two World Cups, been runner-up once, and also won the European Championship in 2000.
Coach Didier Deschamps arrives at the 2026 World Cup with a single goal in mind: to reclaim the world title before he retires from coaching. With top stars playing in European clubs such as Mbappe, Dembele, Doue, Michael Olise, Cherki, Saliba, etc., the French national team is once again a strong contender for the World Cup title.
It's clear that the French squad for the 2026 World Cup includes champions from England, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. However, the most anticipated name remains Mbappe – the player who just won the La Liga top scorer award for the 2025/26 season with 25 goals for Real Madrid. As captain of the "Gallic Roosters," Mbappe's role isn't just about scoring goals; more importantly, he's the driving force behind a team full of stars.
France's biggest rival in Group I is Norway. Historically, this Nordic team has never impressed at a World Cup. But at the 2026 World Cup, Norway will bring a squad with quality players currently playing for top European clubs such as Haaland, Odegaard, and Nusa.
Norway also had a very impressive qualifying campaign with 8 wins out of 8 matches, including 2 victories against Italy. If the French team has a superstar striker in Mbappe, Norway has a counter-superstar striker in Haaland. The Manchester City striker has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times. Along with Haaland, Norway also has another superstar: the captain of Premier League champions Arsenal – midfielder Odegaard. The combination of a creative midfielder and a top-class striker like Haaland and Odegaard will be key to Norway's playing style. The weakness of this Nordic team is their lack of experience, as it's been 30 years since they last participated in the World Cup.
 |
| Haaland – Mbappe's rival at the 2026 World Cup. Photo: Reuters |
Norway's weakness is precisely Senegal's strength. With their fiery style of play, Senegal is a formidable opponent, relying on their speed and excellent physical fitness. This is Senegal's third consecutive World Cup appearance, demonstrating their stability and extensive experience. The most notable name for Senegal remains striker Mane, who has played for major European clubs, alongside Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson. Besides these two, Senegal's squad includes many players currently playing in the English Premier League. Their African physical strength combined with European footballing intelligence is a key strength. It is highly likely that the direct confrontation between Senegal and Norway in the second match of Group I on June 23rd will determine the second-place finish in the group.
The remaining team in Group I is Iraq. Compared to the other three opponents, the Asian representative is perhaps the weakest. With a squad lacking star players and lacking experience on the world stage, returning to the World Cup after 40 years, this second time for the West Asian team is probably just another opportunity to "venture into the big leagues" to learn and gain experience.
 |
Source: https://huengaynay.vn/the-thao/bong-da/bang-dau-cua-2-sieu-tien-dao-166397.html
